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You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on Earth, or we will sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness. We will keep in mind and remember that Barry Goldwater has faith in us. He has faith that you and I have the ability and the dignity and the right to make our own decisions and determine our own destiny.

Ronald Reagan#32

LeadershipFreedomFutureResponsibilityDestiny

About this quote

What does it mean?
Reagan frames leadership as a critical duty to safeguard freedom for future generations or face severe consequences.
In plain terms
We must protect freedom for our kids or they will suffer greatly.
What can you take from it?
Leadership requires making tough choices to secure a hopeful future.

Where it applies

  • political speeches
  • leadership roles
  • community organizing

Putting it to work

  • advocate for policy changes
  • mentor young leaders
  • participate in civic duties

Questions to consider

  • What responsibility do you feel toward future generations?
  • How do you define a hopeful future?

Another view

The binary choice presented ignores the complexity of gradual progress.

More from Ronald Reagan

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  2. Thomas Jefferson made a comment about the Presidency and age. He said that one should not worry about one's exact chronological age in reference to his ability…

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  3. Admittedly there is a risk in any course we follow other than this [surrender], but every lesson in history tells us that the greater risk lies in appeasement,…

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