My greatest personal mistake is ever to allow a word or moment that “doesn’t count, ” i.e., that I do not refer to my own basic principles. Every word, every action, every moment counts. (This is the pattern on which everybody makes mistakes [or] becomes irrational – not relating their one action or one conviction to another. Ayn Rand
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My greatest personal mistake is ever to allow a word or moment that “doesn’t count,” i.e., that I do not refer to my own basic principles. Every word, every action, every moment counts. (This is the pattern on which everybody makes mistakes [or] becomes irrational — not relating their one action or one conviction to another.) To me, this quote is saying that it is important to be consistent. If you have a good idea and a bad one, you can not just do something bad because everyone else does it.

You have to be consistent with your good ideas and your good actions. The best way to be consistent with your decisions is to believe in them no matter what happens. If you don’t believe in yourself, you will never be successful.

Source: The Journals Of Ayn Rand

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