"I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine"

Ayn Rand's declaration emphasizes radical individualism and self-responsibility, encapsulating the core tenet of her philosophy of Objectivism. The speaker, affirming commitment by both their life and love for it, elevates individual existence as a supreme value, suggesting that one's life should not be subordinated to the purpose or expectations of others. There is a profound moral directive in refusing to "live for the sake of another man", rejecting the notion of self-sacrifice as a virtue and rebuffing the idea that morality requires putting others’ needs or desires above one's own rational interests.

The second half, promising never to "ask another man to live for mine", completes the ethical symmetry of this philosophy: just as one ought not to sacrifice oneself for others, neither should one demand such sacrifice from others. In Rand's vision, any form of altruism that requires the subjugation of the self, whether as the giver or the taker, is destructive to human dignity and mutual respect. All healthy relationships, whether personal or societal, rest upon mutual volition and respect for autonomy, not on coercion, guilt, or exploitation of selflessness.

The broader implication is a call for authentic living grounded in reason and personal values, stripped of social expectations or imposed obligations that conflict with individual happiness. It portrays independence, self-worth, and personal responsibility as the foundation of a moral life and a free society. The individual's right to pursue personal fulfillment, create, and achieve under their own volition is paramount, but so is the equal right of others to do the same. This vision rejects dependence, control, or manipulation, instead proposing a society where voluntary cooperation and exchange arise from respect for each person’s sovereignty. Ultimately, it is a passionate assertion of freedom, freedom from both the tyranny of others and the temptation to control the lives of those around us.