Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.
Going around this country, I have found a great hunger in America for spiritual revival; for a belief that law must be based on a higher law; for a return to traditions and values that we once had. Our government, in its most sacred documents - the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence and all - speak of man being created, of a Creator; that we're a nation under God.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of spiritual values and higher principles in governance and society.
Ronald Reagan's quote reflects a deep yearning within America for a revival of spiritual and moral values that transcend mere legal frameworks. He suggests that true governance should harmonize with higher laws and the foundational beliefs articulated in the nation's core documents, which recognize a Creator and underscore the idea of being a nation under God. This call for a return to traditional values implies that the health of the nation relies not just on political structures but also on shared beliefs and ethical standards.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a community meeting discussing local values, one might quote Reagan to emphasize the need for moral foundations.
More from Ronald Reagan
All quotes →Our status as a free society and world power is not based on brute strength. When we've taken up arms, it has been for the defense of freedom for ourselves and for other peaceful nations who needed our help. But now, faced with the development of weapons with immense destructive power, we've no choice but to maintain ready defense forces that are second to none. Yes, the cost is high, but the price of neglect would be infinitely higher.
I'm spending more time at this library in four days than I did at the Eureka College Library in four years.
I'm not a politician by profession. I am a citizen who decided I had to be personally involved in order to stand up for my own values and beliefs. My candidacy is based on my record, and for that matter, my entire life.
My fellow citizens, our nation is poised for greatness. We must do what we know is right, and do it with all our might. Let history say of us: "These were golden years - when the American Revolution was reborn, when freedom gained new life, and America reached for her best."
We must have faith in the people of this country and faith in our principles.
Similar quotes
We have before us the fiendishness of business competition and the world war, passion and wrongdoing, antagonism between classes and moral depravity within them, economic tyranny above and the slave spirit below.
The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite.
I live in my own place - have never copied anyone even half, and at any master who lacks the grace - to laugh at himself - I laugh.
In efforts to soar above our nature, we invariably fall below it.
Am I embarrassed to speak for a less than perfect democracy? Not one bit. Find me a better one. Do I suppose there are societies which are free of sin? No, I don't. Do I think ours is, on balance, incomparably the most hopeful set of human relations the world has? Yes, I do.
The sight of snow made her think how beautiful and short life is and how, in spite of all their enmities, people have so very much in common; measured against eternity and the greatness of creation, the world in which they lived was narrow. That's why snow drew people together. It was as if snow cast a veil over hatreds, greed, and wrath and made everyone feel close to one another. -- Snow pg 119