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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker argues for choosing the sanctity of life over quality of life ethics, asserting this aligns with national values.
In plain terms
We must choose the sanctity of life over quality of life, which is what our nation has always done.
What can you take from it?
Ethical choices should align with foundational national principles.

Where it applies

  • legislative debates
  • ethical discussions
  • policy making

Putting it to work

  • define values
  • guide policy
  • uphold principles

Questions to consider

  • How should ethics guide policy?
  • What defines a nation's moral stance?

Another view

Framing issues as binary choices ignores nuances in quality of life debates.

More from Ronald Reagan

  1. Regrettably, we live at a time when some persons do not value all human life. They want to pick and choose which individuals have value.

    Permalink to quote #71
  2. As a nation today, we have not rejected the sanctity of human life. The American people have not had an opportunity to express their view on the sanctity of hu…

    Permalink to quote #73
  3. The abortionist who reassembles the arms and legs of a tiny baby to make sure all its parts have been torn from its mother's body can hardly doubt whether it i…

    Permalink to quote #70

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