Key ideas: Written in 1948. “I do not believe that friendship means an obligation to turn oneself into an object for the use of one’s friends.” (Ayn Rand)
To Mimi Sutton
September 12, 1948
Dear Mimi:
I was sorry to read your request that we loan you money. We are not able to do it—and I had hoped that I could be friends with my nieces without the constant threat of having to assume a financial responsibility for them.
I thought I had explained it before, but I will say it again and then I will leave it up to you: If you feel affection for us and want to maintain friendly relations, then it must be on the understanding that there will be no requests for money. I do like you, and on our last meeting in Washington, I had the impression that you were becoming the kind of person of whom I approve—but if you understand my philosophy, as you say you do, you must understand that I do not believe that friendship means an obligation to turn oneself into an object for the use of one’s friends.
There is a great deal that I could explain to you about this, but I don’t think it is necessary, and you can probably understand it by yourself. So I shall only say that if you want us to remain friends without any financial matters involved, I will be happy to remain your friend. If not, then not. I cannot deal with people on any other terms.