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To discuss evil in a manner implying neutrality, is to sanction it.

“The Argument from Intimidation”
The Virtue of Selfishness, 143

One must speak up in situations where silence can objectively be taken to mean agreement with or sanction of evil. When one deals with irrational persons, where argument is futile, a mere “I don’t agree with you” is sufficient to negate any implication of moral sanction. When one deals with better people, a full statement of one’s views may be morally required. But in no case and in no situation may one permit one’s own values to be attacked or denounced, and keep silent.

To combat petty larceny as a crucial danger, at a time when murder is being committed, is to sanction the murder.

“Antitrust: The Rule of Unreason”
The Objectivist Newsletter, Feb. 1962, 8

To abstain from condemning a torturer, is to become an accessory to the torture and murder of his victims.

The moral principle to adopt in this issue, is: “Judge, and be prepared to be judged.”

A forced compliance is not a sanction. All of us are forced to comply with many laws that violate our rights, but so long as we advocate the repeal of such laws, our compliance does not constitute a sanction. Unjust laws have to be fought ideologically; they cannot be fought or corrected by means of mere disobedience and futile martyrdom.

“The Wreckage of the Consensus”
Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, 235
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