--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have been preserved, these many years…" description: "\"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 w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8f/abraham-lincoln-88_american-founding-fa_we-have-been-preserved-these-many-years_147214.png" --- # 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…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8f/abraham-lincoln-88_american-founding-fa_we-have-been-preserved-these-many-years_147214.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8f/abraham-lincoln-88_american-founding-fa_we-have-been-preserved-these-many-years_147214.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a8f/abraham-lincoln-88_american-founding-fa_we-have-been-preserved-these-many-years_147214.png) > “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!” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-founding-fathers/) [Blessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessing/) [Blessings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blessings/) [Christian heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-heritage/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [God and country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-and-country/) [Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grace/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [National day of prayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-day-of-prayer/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-sufficient/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/intoxicated-with-unbroken-success-we-have-become-too-self-sufficient/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-nazemi/we-have-been-the-recipients-of-the-choicest-bounties-of-heaven-we/) Deborah Nazemi > [We have forgotten the gracious hand which has preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and have vainly imagined in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-have-forgotten-the-gracious-hand-which-has-preserved-us-in-peace/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [And whereas it is the duty of nations as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/and-whereas-it-is-the-duty-of-nations-as-well-as-of-men-to-own-their/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-lived-sir-a-long-time-and-the-longer-i-live-the-more/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-have-been-the-recipients-of-the-choicest-bounties-of-heaven-we-2/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Nations like individuals are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/nations-like-individuals-are-subjected-to-punishments-and/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Whereas, the Senate of the United States, devoutly recognizing the Supreme Authority and just Government of Almighty God, in all the affairs of men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/whereas-the-senate-of-the-united-states-devoutly-recognizing-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The terror of the Roman arms added weight and dignity to the moderation of the emperors. They preserved the peace by a constant preparation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-terror-of-the-roman-arms-added-weight-and-dignity-to-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Kennedy was president for only 1,037 days, but during his short tenure, he achieved much. At the Cold War's most dangerous hour, he preserved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/kennedy-was-president-for-only-1-037-days-but-during-his-short-tenure/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [The world is in need of an encompassing and of course, just and humane order in the light of which the rights of all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-ahmadinejad/the-world-is-in-need-of-an-encompassing-and-of-course-just-and-humane/) [Mahmoud Ahmadinejad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-ahmadinejad/) > [Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/intelligence-patriotism-christianity-and-a-firm-reliance-on-him-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-regard-to-this-great-book-i-have-but-to-say-it-is-the-best-gift/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon/the-fear-of-the-lord-is-the-beginning-of-wisdom/) [Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon/) > [Since 1775, when the first Continental Congress called for a national day of prayer, there have been such events called for by almost every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dobson/since-1775-when-the-first-continental-congress-called-for-a-national/) [James Dobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dobson/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More American founding fathers quotes > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/rulers-who-wished-to-subvert-the-public-liberty-may-have-found-an/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/in-vain-would-that-man-claim-the-tribute-of-patriotism-who-should/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-general-principles-on-which-the-fathers-achieved-independence/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-carroll-of-carrollton/without-morals-a-republic-cannot-subsist-any-length-of-time-they/) Charles Carroll of Carrollton > [I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-opposed-to-any-form-of-tyranny-over-the-mind-of-man/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him (i.e. Jesus) by his biographers, I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/among-the-sayings-and-discourses-imputed-to-him-i-e-jesus-by-his/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I firmly believe this ... that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the builders of Babel:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-firmly-believe-this-that-without-his-concurring-aid-we-shall/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-day-will-come-when-the-mystical-generation-of-jesus-by-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/of-all-the-dispositions-and-habits-which-lead-to-political-prosperity-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/religious-controversies-are-always-productive-of-more-acrimony-and/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-only-foundation-for-a-republic-is-to-be-laid-in-religion-without/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-time-is-now-near-at-hand-which-must-probably-determine-whether/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-the-duty-of-all-nations-to-acknowledge-the-providence-of-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) [Browse all 89 American founding fathers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-founding-fathers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. 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