Атлант расправил плечи
The Sanction of the Victim
Mowen,whosatbesidehim,wasamanofgreaterinnocenceandsmallerunderstanding;hisfearwasofasimplernature;helistenedinbewilderedindignationandhewhisperedtoLarkin,"GoodGod,nowhe’sdoneit!Nowhe’llconvincethewholecountrythatallbusinessmenareenemiesofthepublicgood!"
"Arewetounderstand,"askedthejudge,"thatyouholdyourowninterestsabovetheinterestsofthepublic?"
"Iholdthatsuchaquestioncanneverariseexceptinasocietyofcannibals."
"What...whatdoyoumean?"
"Iholdthatthereisnoclashofinterestsamongmenwhodonotdemandtheunearnedanddonotpracticehumansacrifices."
"Arewetounderstandthatifthepublicdeemsitnecessarytocurtailyourprofits,youdonotrecognizeitsrighttodoso?"
"Why,yes,Ido.Thepublicmaycurtailmyprofitsanytimeitwishes—byrefusingtobuymyproduct."
"Wearespeakingof...othermethods."
"Anyothermethodofcurtailingprofitsisthemethodoflooters—andIrecognizeitassuch."
"Mr.Rearden,thisishardlythewaytodefendyourself."
"IsaidthatIwouldnotdefendmyself."
"Butthisisunheardof!Doyourealizethegravityofthechargeagainstyou?"
"Idonotcaretoconsiderit.
