Everyone from capitalists to anarchists seems to be taking this quote out of context and misusing it to make their own points about civilization and government. Ayn Rand didn't say it. One of her fictional villains said it. Ayn Rand was NOT an anarchist. She knew that legitimate governments have limited and legitimate roles. To attribute the words of one of Ayn Rand's fictional villains to Rand herself is a devious and mendacious sleight of hand, calculated to hoodwink gullible and ignorant puppets who will never investigate it further.