Ayn Rand in her novels and nonfiction writing created the philosophy of Objectivism, a rational, ethical code for human beings to live a proper life in reality. Our mind and reason are our basic means of survival. Since we have no automatic means to do so, we need a moral code to survive.

This is a compilation of Ayn Rand's ethical writing on Objectivism presented in a litany form. The philosophical principles are in capitals, while their application and effect on man's life is in regular font. Her ethical writing is spread over several books, so I did this to bring it all together.

A is A
I am...
EXISTENCE EXISTS.
I exist...
LIFE IS A PROCESS OF SELF-GENERATED, SELF SUSTAINING ACTION.
I am alive...
WHAT A LIVING ENTITY IS DETERMINES WHAT IT OUGHT TO DO.
I am a man...
MAN'S MIND IS HIS BASIC TOOL OF SURVIVAL.
I am a rational being, or a suicidal animal...
REALITY EXISTS OUTSIDE OF THE MIND OF MAN.
I can know reality...
REASON IS MAN'S BASIC MEANS OF SURVIVAL.
I must think...
MAN HAS NO AUTOMATIC CODE OF SURVIVAL.
I must choose goals and values...
MAN HAS A VOLITIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS.
I require a moral code to guide my choices...
A MORAL CODE ACCEPTED BY CHOICE IS A CODE OF ETHICS.
I choose Objectivism...
Man's life is the Objectivist standard of value...
I am my purpose...
THE CONCEPT OF LIFE MAKES THE CONCEPT OF VALUE POSSIBLE.
I am my ultimate value...
OBJECTIVIST ETHICS ADVOCATE AND UPHOLD
THE VALUES REQUIRED FOR MAN'S SURVIVAL.
I am rationally selfish...
ALL MAN'S NEEDS MUST BE DISCOVERED BY HIS MIND
AND PRODUCED BY HIS EFFORT.
I must think and produce...
REASON, PURPOSE, AND SELF-ESTEEM ARE ONE'S PRIMARY VALUES.
I must act to gain and keep values to properly live my life...
RATIONALITY, PRODUCTIVENESS, AND PRIDE ARE
THE CORRESPONDING VIRTUES.
I act to gain values according to virtues...