We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and…
“We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving Grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Prosperity can breed complacency, leading societies to forget divine providence and attribute success solely to human effort, which breeds hubris and spiritual neglect.
In simple terms: Wealth may cause us to forget God and become self‑reliant.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate humility and gratitude for unseen guidance.
Themes
faith
humility
prosperity
hubris
spirituality
Mood
cautious
inspirational
Type
historical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- national success
- religious decline
- social pride
Key Concepts
theodicy
human nature
gratitude
Questions to Reflect On
- How can a nation balance success with gratitude?
- What practices keep humility alive in times of abundance?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring spiritual roots can erode moral foundations.