--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A day will come when our children and…" description: "\"A day will come when our children and grandchildren will look back and they'll ask one of two questions. Either they will ask: \"what in God's name were..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/al-gore-609_american-democracy_a-day-will-come-when-our-children-and-gr_2858359.jpg" --- # A day will come when our children and grandchildren will… ![“A day will come when our children and grandchildren will look back and they'll ask one of two questions. Either they will ask: "what in God's name were they doing?" or they may look back and say: "how did they find the uncommon moral courage to rise above politics and redeem the promise of…” quote by Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/al-gore-609_american-democracy_a-day-will-come-when-our-children-and-gr_2858359.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/al-gore-609_american-democracy_a-day-will-come-when-our-children-and-gr_2858359.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b98/al-gore-609_american-democracy_a-day-will-come-when-our-children-and-gr_2858359.jpg) > “A day will come when our children and grandchildren will look back and they'll ask one of two questions. Either they will ask: "what in God's name were they doing?" or they may look back and say: "how did they find the uncommon moral courage to rise above politics and redeem the promise of American democracy?"” [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Future generations will judge our actions, questioning either our purpose or our moral courage in politics. **In simple terms:** Future will judge our deeds and courage. Key Takeaway Act with purpose and courage now. Themes responsibility politics morality future generations Mood reflective concerned Type political ethical inspirational When to use this quote - policy making - community activism - education - public service Key Concepts civic duty ethical leadership historical legacy Questions to Reflect On - What actions today will define our legacy? - How can we foster moral courage in politics? A Different Perspective Moral courage is hard to sustain amid partisan pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-democracy/) [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Children and grandchildren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-and-grandchildren/) [Children Grandchildren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-grandchildren/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Grandchildren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandchildren/) [Grandchildren Look](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandchildren-look-1117823/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-courage/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Our children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-children/) [Promise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promise/) [Rise above](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rise-above/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Uncommon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncommon/) ## Related quotes > [When our children and grandchildren look back on this period, one question will overwhelm all the rest: Did we do everything in our power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/when-our-children-and-grandchildren-look-back-on-this-period-one/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I want my children and grandchildren to see what I look like now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kylie-bax/i-want-my-children-and-grandchildren-to-see-what-i-look-like-now/) [Kylie Bax](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kylie-bax/) > [We owe it to each other - and to our children and grandchildren - to leave our planet in a better state than when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dodd/we-owe-it-to-each-other-and-to-our-children-and-grandchildren-to/) [Christopher Dodd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dodd/) > [I do not believe that the people of the United States are going to take people who have been here a quarter century, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/newt-gingrich/i-do-not-believe-that-the-people-of-the-united-states-are-going-to/) [Newt Gingrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/newt-gingrich/) > [What about our children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren? Do we not want them to live healthy and happy lives?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-suzuki/what-about-our-children-and-grandchildren-and-their-children-and/) [David Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-suzuki/) > [I believe we owe it to our children and grandchildren to stay engaged and to help spread liberty and to help reformers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-believe-we-owe-it-to-our-children-and-grandchildren-to-stay-engaged/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I do have the most marvelous husband, children, and grandchildren.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-bush/i-do-have-the-most-marvelous-husband-children-and-grandchildren/) [Barbara Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-bush/) > [It's been in the back of my head for five or six years, but more on the local level to get involved and try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-runyan/it-s-been-in-the-back-of-my-head-for-five-or-six-years-but-more-on/) [Jon Runyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-runyan/) > [Historically, girls have not been encouraged to be scientists, to be explorers, and there's a social kind of constraint, of course. Having the responsibility,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-earle/historically-girls-have-not-been-encouraged-to-be-scientists-to-be/) [Sylvia Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-earle/) > [My hope for the planet is my children and grandchildren.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanne-woodward/my-hope-for-the-planet-is-my-children-and-grandchildren/) [Joanne Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanne-woodward/) > [My children and grandchildren loved the secret servicemen and women that served us. I was honoured that they thought I was important enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-card/my-children-and-grandchildren-loved-the-secret-servicemen-and-women/) [Andrew Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-card/) > [Each of us must come to care about everyone else's children. We must recognize that the welfare of our children and grandchildren is intimately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilian-katz/each-of-us-must-come-to-care-about-everyone-else-s-children-we-must/) [Lilian Katz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilian-katz/) > [When you look into the eyes of your children and grandchildren, when you picture their greatness and potential, do you feel that they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-demille/when-you-look-into-the-eyes-of-your-children-and-grandchildren-when/) [Oliver DeMille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-demille/) > [I always carry pictures of my children and grandchildren, which is what makes it all worthwhile. It's great fun that my grandkids get to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-atwood/i-always-carry-pictures-of-my-children-and-grandchildren-which-is/) [Colleen Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-atwood/) > [Our children and grandchildren visit us regularly in the Élysée Palace . The little ones are constantly running around outside in the garden. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmanuel-macron/our-children-and-grandchildren-visit-us-regularly-in-the-lys-e-palace/) [Emmanuel Macron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmanuel-macron/) ## More by Al Gore > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Mother Nature does not do bailouts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/mother-nature-does-not-do-bailouts/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-climate-crisis-is-not-a-political-issue-it-is-a-moral-and/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I decided to pick the diet that I thought would maximize my chances of long-term survival.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-decided-to-pick-the-diet-that-i-thought-would-maximize-my-chances/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [You know there's an old african proverb that i made up: "If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/you-know-there-s-an-old-african-proverb-that-i-made-up-if-you-want-to/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [One tragic example of the loss of forests and then water is found in Ethiopia. The amount of its forested land has decreased from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/one-tragic-example-of-the-loss-of-forests-and-then-water-is-found-in/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [The ten hottest years in the atmospheric record, going back only 160 years, have been in the last eleven years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-ten-hottest-years-in-the-atmospheric-record-going-back-only-160/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Hey, you know what, I've gotta go on that 'Letterman' show. That show is so lame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/hey-you-know-what-i-ve-gotta-go-on-that-letterman-show-that-show-is/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [When you talk about President Trump, the cable networks turned over so many hours of prime time to him. Why? Because he was entertaining,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/when-you-talk-about-president-trump-the-cable-networks-turned-over-so/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Iraq does pose a serious threat to the stability of the Persian Gulf and we should organize an international coalition to eliminate his access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/iraq-does-pose-a-serious-threat-to-the-stability-of-the-persian-gulf/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are skeptics who do not come to their view because they have a source of income from carbon polluters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-skeptics-who-do-not-come-to-their-view-because-they-have-a/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Our civilization is experiencing unprecedented changes across many realms, largely due to the rapid advancement of information technology. The ability to code and understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/our-civilization-is-experiencing-unprecedented-changes-across-many/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [There are many who would much prefer that the word 'climate' never be mentioned and that the issue be eliminated from our national conversation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/there-are-many-who-would-much-prefer-that-the-word-climate-never-be/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [As many know, the Chinese expression for "crisis" consists of two characters side by side. The first is the symbol for "danger," the second…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/as-many-know-the-chinese-expression-for-crisis-consists-of-two/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [I think George W. Bush has a warm, engaging personality. But, you know, the presidency is more than just a popularity contest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/i-think-george-w-bush-has-a-warm-engaging-personality-but-you-know/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) [Explore all 447 Al Gore quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## More American democracy quotes > [ Elvis \[Presley\] had a stepstool, if you will, to success because he came from the dominant culture. They identified with him. Michael Jackson had… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/elvis-presley-had-a-stepstool-if-you-will-to-success-because-he-came/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [That's what separates out American democracy from dictators and horrible governments across the world and the reason why that works is that we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-chamberlain/that-s-what-separates-out-american-democracy-from-dictators-and/) [Charles R. Chamberlain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-chamberlain/) > [This will be the day when we shall bring into full realization the dream of American democracy -- a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/this-will-be-the-day-when-we-shall-bring-into-full-realization-the/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [This has all the appearance of a foreign power trying to undermine structures of legitimacy of an American election. That is a serious matter.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gerson/this-has-all-the-appearance-of-a-foreign-power-trying-to-undermine/) [Michael Gerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gerson/) > [Men like Abraham Lincoln recognized that if the slaveholders were not stopped, it would only be a question of time until they spread their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-cox-richardson/men-like-abraham-lincoln-recognized-that-if-the-slaveholders-were-not/) [Heather Cox Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-cox-richardson/) > [These communities that are losing local news coverage are losing something deeper. They're losing a connection to American democracy. And those connections must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-stelter/these-communities-that-are-losing-local-news-coverage-are-losing/) [Brian Stelter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-stelter/) > [“Today you go into make a modern recording with all this technology. The bass plays first, then the drums come in later, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/today-you-go-into-make-a-modern-recording-with-all-this-technology/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [As a result of the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, American democracy is being undermined by the ability of the Koch brothers and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/as-a-result-of-the-citizens-united-supreme-court-decision-american/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [If everyone on the Court always voted for the prosecution against the defendant, for the corporation against the plaintiffs, and for the government against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/if-everyone-on-the-court-always-voted-for-the-prosecution-against-the/) [Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/) > [Political violence has no place in Pennsylvania - the birthplace of American democracy - nor anywhere else across this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-shapiro/political-violence-has-no-place-in-pennsylvania-the-birthplace-of/) [Josh Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-shapiro/) > [The atomic weapons race and the secrecy surrounding it crushed American democracy. It induced us to conduct government according to lies. It distorted justice.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-udall/the-atomic-weapons-race-and-the-secrecy-surrounding-it-crushed/) [Stewart Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-udall/) > [I have no doubt that there are Russian efforts to disturb the fabric of American democracy, but they're disruption efforts. They're troublemaking efforts. They're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masha-gessen/i-have-no-doubt-that-there-are-russian-efforts-to-disturb-the-fabric/) [Masha Gessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masha-gessen/) > [“Still, it strikes me that, taken together, they do make an argument, and it is this: the rise of American democracy is bound up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-lepore/still-it-strikes-me-that-taken-together-they-do-make-an-argument-and/) [Jill Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-lepore/) > [Mr Jefferson meant that the American system should be a democracy, and he would rather have let the whole world perish than that this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-adams/mr-jefferson-meant-that-the-american-system-should-be-a-democracy-and/) [Henry Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-adams/) > [I have no doubt that there are Russian efforts to disturb the fabric of American democracy, but they're disruption efforts. The working theory behind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masha-gessen/i-have-no-doubt-that-there-are-russian-efforts-to-disturb-the-fabric-2/) [Masha Gessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masha-gessen/) [Browse all 168 American democracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-democracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A day will come when our children and grandchildren will look back and they'll ask one of two questions. 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