Dear Canem Malum,

«Rand believed that societies infrastructure and life itself is created by the wise.»

There is a saying: "Go to the ant, you sluggard, consider her ways and become wiser" [Proverbs 6:6]

Industrious people who are willing to make sacrifices, are certainly wiser than the lazy ones who deludedly think they can get any happiness by cutting corners. It is them who create society and its infrastructure.

But theirs is not the ultimate wisdom: the wisest are those who can distinguish between what is permanent and what is impermanent, then invest the bulk of their efforts into that which can never be lost.

Having escaped the darkness of Soviet Communism, it is clear why Ayn Rand so keenly promoted this mid-level wisdom of being industrious and creative, that kind of wisdom that grants wealth, prosperity and success.

But understanding that all wealth must come to an end and all achievements eventually forgotten, has she also promoted higher wisdom? That kind of wisdom that grants permanent, unshakable, eternal happiness? I do not recall such writings by her, but is it perhaps because I read her books that many decades ago?