--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's been written that the most sublime…" description: "\"It's been written that the most sublime figure in American history was George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. He personified a peo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e4/ronald-reagan-119_american-history_it-s-been-written-that-the-most-sublime_550323.jpg" --- # It's been written that the most sublime figure in American… ![“It's been written that the most sublime figure in American history was George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. He personified a people who knew that it was not enough to depend on their own courage and goodness, that they must also seek help from God - their Father and…” quote by Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e4/ronald-reagan-119_american-history_it-s-been-written-that-the-most-sublime_550323.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e4/ronald-reagan-119_american-history_it-s-been-written-that-the-most-sublime_550323.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3e4/ronald-reagan-119_american-history_it-s-been-written-that-the-most-sublime_550323.jpg) > “It's been written that the most sublime figure in American history was George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. He personified a people who knew that it was not enough to depend on their own courage and goodness, that they must also seek help from God - their Father and preserver. Where did we begin to lose sight of that noble beginning, of our conviction that standards of right and wrong do exist and must be lived up to? Do we really think that we can have it both ways, that God will protect us in a time of crisis even as we turn away from him in our day-to-day life?” [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker warns that abandoning reliance on divine guidance erodes moral standards and societal cohesion. **In simple terms:** Losing faith weakens morals. Key Takeaway Reembrace spiritual foundations. Themes morality faith society leadership Mood thoughtful inspirational Type political ethical When to use this quote - political discourse - community building - education reform - personal ethics Key Concepts theology civic responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance faith and pluralism? - What role should religion play in public life? A Different Perspective It assumes a single religious perspective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-history/) [Conviction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conviction/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crisis/) [Day to day life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day-to-day-life/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-father/) [Gods will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-will/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Help From God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-from-god/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/noble/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Right and wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-and-wrong/) [Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snow/) [Sublime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sublime/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Times of crisis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/times-of-crisis/) [Valley forge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valley-forge/) ## Related quotes > [We've been a free people living under the law, with faith in our Maker and in our future. I've said before that the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-ve-been-a-free-people-living-under-the-law-with-faith-in-our-maker/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We can't have it both ways. We can't expect God to protect us in a crisis and just leave Him over there on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-can-t-have-it-both-ways-we-can-t-expect-god-to-protect-us-in-a/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge, to the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq, our soldiers have courageously answered when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-ortiz/from-the-bitter-cold-winter-at-valley-forge-to-the-mountains-of/) [Solomon Ortiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-ortiz/) > [From reading of the people I admired - ranging from the soldiers of Valley Forge and Morgan's riflemen to my Southern forefathers and kinfolk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/from-reading-of-the-people-i-admired-ranging-from-the-soldiers-of/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [ \[Ronald Reagan\] called the image of \[George\] Washington praying on his knees in Valley Forge "the most sublime image in American history." ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kengor/ronald-reagan-called-the-image-of-george-washington-praying-on-his/) [Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kengor/) > [I was with George Washington at Valley Forge, sitting around before an attack... gimme a break. That's over 70 years ago already.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-rickles/i-was-with-george-washington-at-valley-forge-sitting-around-before-an/) [Don Rickles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-rickles/) > [I noticed some time ago that neither of the candidates are quoting the founders. If they are, they're doing it so rarely that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kengor/i-noticed-some-time-ago-that-neither-of-the-candidates-are-quoting/) [Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kengor/) > [“I used to like mine with champagne. The champagne as cold as Valley Forge and about a third of a glass of brandy beneath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-chandler/i-used-to-like-mine-with-champagne-the-champagne-as-cold-as-valley/) [Raymond Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-chandler/) > [The wind bit hard at Valley Forge one Christmas. Soldiers tied rags on their feet. Red footprints wrote on the snow...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sandburg/the-wind-bit-hard-at-valley-forge-one-christmas-soldiers-tied-rags-on/) [Carl Sandburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sandburg/) > [This Memorial Day should remind us of the greatness that past generations of Americans achieved from Valley Forge to Vietnam, and it should inspire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/this-memorial-day-should-remind-us-of-the-greatness-that-past/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [I consider it an indispensible duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/i-consider-it-an-indispensible-duty-to-close-this-last-solemn-act-of/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“His Excellency today appealed to the Officers of this Army to consider themselves as a band of brothers cemented by the justice of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-halse-anderson/his-excellency-today-appealed-to-the-officers-of-this-army-to/) [Laurie Halse Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-halse-anderson/) > [“The last slaveholder has been dead for a very long time. The last soldier to endure Valley Forge has been dead much longer. To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/the-last-slaveholder-has-been-dead-for-a-very-long-time-the-last/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [Those who work at a thing heart and soul not only achieve success in it but through their absorption in that they also realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/those-who-work-at-a-thing-heart-and-soul-not-only-achieve-success-in/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [If you are an artist, you may live with Lincoln. You sit with him, your coat is spread to keep the snow from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gutzon-borglum/if-you-are-an-artist-you-may-live-with-lincoln-you-sit-with-him-your/) [Gutzon Borglum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gutzon-borglum/) ## More by Ronald Reagan > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Yes, across Europe, this wall will fall. For it cannot withstand faith; it cannot withstand truth. The wall cannot withstand freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/yes-across-europe-this-wall-will-fall-for-it-cannot-withstand-faith/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Simple fairness dictates that government must not raise taxes on families struggling to pay their bills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/simple-fairness-dictates-that-government-must-not-raise-taxes-on/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America - our country is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-time-has-come-to-turn-to-god-and-reassert-our-trust-in-him-for/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Professional politicians like to talk about the value of experience in government. Nuts! The only experience you gain in politics is how to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/professional-politicians-like-to-talk-about-the-value-of-experience/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The WPA was one of the most productive elements of FDR's alphabet soup of agencies because it put people to work building roads, bridges,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-wpa-was-one-of-the-most-productive-elements-of-fdr-s-alphabet/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Where there's liberty, art succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-there-s-liberty-art-succeeds/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Since I came to the White House, I got two hearing aids, a colon operation, skin cancer, a prostate operation, and I was shot.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/since-i-came-to-the-white-house-i-got-two-hearing-aids-a-colon/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [A moment I've been dreading. George brought his ne're-do-well son around this morning and asked me to find the kid a job. Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/a-moment-i-ve-been-dreading-george-brought-his-ne-re-do-well-son/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [On Father's Day, we pay tribute to all in our society who have taken on the responsibilitie s and joys of fatherhood. Whether our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/on-father-s-day-we-pay-tribute-to-all-in-our-society-who-have-taken/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-no-limit-to-the-amount-of-good-you-can-do-if-you-don-t-care/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [It's not that liberals aren't smart, it's just that so much of what they know isn't so](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/it-s-not-that-liberals-aren-t-smart-it-s-just-that-so-much-of-what/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Love your country, not for her power or wealth, but for her selflessness and her idealism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/love-your-country-not-for-her-power-or-wealth-but-for-her/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) [Explore all 1,244 Ronald Reagan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) ## More American history quotes > [Adam Clayton Powell's entire political career has to be looked at in the entire context of the American history and the history of, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/adam-clayton-powell-s-entire-political-career-has-to-be-looked-at-in/) [Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/) > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [“In December of 2007 human bones including skulls, which have been radiocarbon dated back to between 1304 and 1424, were found in a museum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-seawater-one/in-december-of-2007-human-bones-including-skulls-which-have-been/) Captain Hank Bracker, "Seawater One > [John Lane has long been recognized as one of the South's finest poets and memoirists. This debut establishes him as one of our finest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-rash/john-lane-has-long-been-recognized-as-one-of-the-south-s-finest-poets/) [Ron Rash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-rash/) > [No man-made structure in all of American history has been hated so much, by so many, for so long, with such good reason, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/no-man-made-structure-in-all-of-american-history-has-been-hated-so/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [The problem that we have is that most Americans don't even study American history, let alone Pinochet, Mussolini, Hitler, Stalin and all these guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/the-problem-that-we-have-is-that-most-americans-don-t-even-study/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [We must not falsely teach American history in our schools. We have a law requiring state textbook oversight to guard against frauds like Zinn,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-daniels/we-must-not-falsely-teach-american-history-in-our-schools-we-have-a/) [Mitch Daniels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-daniels/) > [The only thing we have to fear is fear itself-and possibly teh bogey man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-paulsen/the-only-thing-we-have-to-fear-is-fear-itself-and-possibly-teh-bogey/) [Pat Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-paulsen/) > [“Thanks in part to the rapid mechanization of cotton production in the early 1940s, which ultimately threw millions of farm laborers out of work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-patterson/thanks-in-part-to-the-rapid-mechanization-of-cotton-production-in-the/) [James T. Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-patterson/) > [“dark say: berthenia belle never forget the tongue hid name”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathleen-margaret/dark-say-berthenia-belle-never-forget-the-tongue-hid-name/) [Cathleen Margaret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathleen-margaret/) > [Throughout American history many of our social gains and much of our progress toward democracy were made possible by the active intervention of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-washington/throughout-american-history-many-of-our-social-gains-and-much-of-our/) [Harold Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-washington/) > [Modern Democrats aren't the first political party to abuse power - far from it. Obama isn'€™t the first president to abuse executive power -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-harsanyi/modern-democrats-aren-t-the-first-political-party-to-abuse-power-far/) [David Harsanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-harsanyi/) > [Medicare and Social Security have created the healthiest and most financially secure generation of senior citizens in American history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-walsh/medicare-and-social-security-have-created-the-healthiest-and-most/) [Jim Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-walsh/) > [The school curriculum today, particularly American history, is a shame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-school-curriculum-today-particularly-american-history-is-a-shame/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [“I used to walk out, at night, to the breakwater which divides the end of the harbor form the broad moor of the salt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-doty/i-used-to-walk-out-at-night-to-the-breakwater-which-divides-the-end/) [Mark Doty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-doty/) [Browse all 685 American history quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-history/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It's been written that the most sublime figure in American history was George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. He personified a people who knew that it was not enough to depend on their own courage and goodness, that they must also seek help from God - their Father and preserver. Where did we begin to lose sight of that noble beginning, of our conviction that standards of right and wrong do exist and must be lived up to? 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