Interlude: Atlas Shrugged

Ayn Rand is a brillant writer. Her analysis of the human condition is jaw dropping. Her writing of the battle between group think and capitalism is second to none. One of the most interesting passages of text (so far) is this between a the wife of a steel manufacturer and her husband, one of the main characters. He has recently committed adultery and been feeling guilty about it though his wife is in the dark.

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""Now you see, that's the cruelty of conscientious people. You wouldn't understand it--would you?--if I answered that real devotion consists of being willing to lie, cheat, and fake in order to make another person happy--to create for him the reality he wants, if doesn't like the one that exists."

"No," he said slowly, "I wouldn't understand it."

"It's really very simple. If you tell a beautiful woman that she is beautiful, what have you given her? It's no more than a fact and it has cost you nothing. But if you tell an ugly woman that she is beautiful, you offer the great homage of corrupting the concept of beauty. To love a woman for her virtues is meaningless. She's earned it, it's a payment, not a gift, unearned and undeserved. To love her for her vices is to defile all virtue for her sake-- and that is a real tribute of love, because to you sacrifice your conscience, your reason, you integrity, and your invaluable self-esteem."

He looked at her blankly. "---Atlas Shrugged, pg 305

Even though it's a twisted description of love, I understand it and side with her. It reminds me of the love God has for us. It's unearned and undeserved. Jesus sacrificed much more than self esteem for us, he sacrificed holiness, to be God and separate from the father. I know people are looking at this so tell me if you agree with Lillian or if you don't.