---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My friends, we did it. We weren't just…"
description: "\"My friends, we did it. We weren't just marking time, we made a difference. We made (America) stronger - we made (America) freer - and we left her in go..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b9/ronald-reagan-119_america_my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-mar_374968.jpg"
---

#  My friends, we did it. We weren't just marking time, we…

![“My friends, we did it. We weren't just marking time, we made a difference. We made (America) stronger - we made (America) freer - and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad. Not bad at all. And so, goodbye. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.” quote by Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b9/ronald-reagan-119_america_my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-mar_374968.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b9/ronald-reagan-119_america_my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-mar_374968.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b9/ronald-reagan-119_america_my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-mar_374968.jpg)

> “My friends, we did it. We weren't just marking time, we made a difference. We made (America) stronger - we made (America) freer - and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad. Not bad at all. And so, goodbye. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.”

[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.

He reflects on his presidency, emphasizing achievements and expressing hope for the nation's future.

**In simple terms:** He says his time in office was successful and hopeful.

Key Takeaway

Recognize contributions and stay hopeful.

Themes

leadership patriotism legacy

Mood

reflective optimistic

Type

historical inspirational

When to use this quote

- political speeches
- historical reflections
- public addresses

Key Concepts

political achievement national identity

Questions to Reflect On

- What achievements matter most to you?
- How can we build on past successes?

A Different Perspective

May overlook ongoing challenges and complexities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Goodbye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodbye/) [Marking time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marking-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) [United states of america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states-of-america/)

## Related quotes

> [The United States remains the last best hope for a mankind plagued by tyranny and deprivation. America is no stronger than its people --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/the-united-states-remains-the-last-best-hope-for-a-mankind-plagued-by/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [We set forth on a journey to bring our vision to our country, to keep the American dream alive for all who are willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/we-set-forth-on-a-journey-to-bring-our-vision-to-our-country-to-keep/)

[William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/)

> [To all those in the sound of my voice who share our values, who know that we can be a stronger America at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/to-all-those-in-the-sound-of-my-voice-who-share-our-values-who-know/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The vision Donald Trump has articulated to Make America Great Again means a stronger America at home and abroad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-vision-donald-trump-has-articulated-to-make-america-great-again/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [We need one America - one that includes housing, education, jobs, access to capital, and economic inclusion for every American. This will create a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-allen/we-need-one-america-one-that-includes-housing-education-jobs-access/)

[Byron Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-allen/)

> [There is a strong sentiment within the Tea Party that favors a stronger America on the global stage, and with that comes a strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hasner/there-is-a-strong-sentiment-within-the-tea-party-that-favors-a/)

[Adam Hasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hasner/)

> [If you want real change, if you want a stronger America at home and abroad and an America that cherishes our highest ideals, head…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/if-you-want-real-change-if-you-want-a-stronger-america-at-home-and/)

[Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/)

> [The major difference for us in America with respect to Hispanic immigration is that it is so large and that it is coming from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-p-huntington/the-major-difference-for-us-in-america-with-respect-to-hispanic/)

[Samuel P. Huntington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-p-huntington/)

> [I think the difference between America and Australia is very simple. It's 20 million people versus 350 million.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jefferies/i-think-the-difference-between-america-and-australia-is-very-simple/)

[Jim Jefferies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jefferies/)

> [The problem of racial difference in America - and in modern life more broadly - is always presented as an economic, political, biological or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton-williams/the-problem-of-racial-difference-in-america-and-in-modern-life-more/)

[Thomas Chatterton Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton-williams/)

> [ The only difference between \[America\] and South Africa, South Africa preaches separation and practices separation, America preaches integration and practices segregation. This is the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-x/the-only-difference-between-america-and-south-africa-south-africa/)

[Malcolm X](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-x/)

> [“The difference between America and England is that Americans think 100 years is a long time, while the English think 100 miles is a long way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earle-hitchner/the-difference-between-america-and-england-is-that-americans-think/)

Earle Hitchner

> [How can I explain the difference to me between America and Russia?.. the America I've known is a place where men on horseback escort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/how-can-i-explain-the-difference-to-me-between-america-and-russia-the/)

[Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/)

> [The difference between America and England is that the English think 100 miles is a long distance and the Americans think 100 years is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-vos-savant/the-difference-between-america-and-england-is-that-the-english-think/)

[Marilyn vos Savant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-vos-savant/)

> [Hillary's opponent, in his entire campaign, every two or three weeks has said for months and months and months, beginning in Nevada, that really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/hillary-s-opponent-in-his-entire-campaign-every-two-or-three-weeks/)

[William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/)

## 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 America quotes

> [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/)

[Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/)

> [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/)

[Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/)

> [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [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/)

> [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/)

[Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/)

> [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/)

[Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/)

> [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/)

[Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/)

> [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/)

[George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/)

> [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [America, you're sending girls a mixed message. On one hand, you're saying to have positive body image and love who we are; on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adora-svitak/america-you-re-sending-girls-a-mixed-message-on-one-hand-you-re/)

[Adora Svitak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adora-svitak/)

> [You live overseas, you see these exotic places and you want to know about them. But, weirdly, it also made me homesick for all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-jennings/you-live-overseas-you-see-these-exotic-places-and-you-want-to-know/)

[Ken Jennings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-jennings/)

> [Freedom in every sense but primarily political sense, a rise in repression that stems from a repression of sexuality. It's AIDS, it's herpes, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicholson/freedom-in-every-sense-but-primarily-political-sense-a-rise-in/)

[Jack Nicholson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicholson/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

[Browse all 20,382 America quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "My friends, we did it. We weren't just marking time, we made a difference. We made (America) stronger - we made (America) freer - and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad. Not bad at all. And so, goodbye. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ronald Reagan"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-marking-time-we-made-a/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "America"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-marking-time-we-made-a/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b9/ronald-reagan-119_america_my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-mar_374968.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b9/ronald-reagan-119_america_my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-mar_374968.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b9/ronald-reagan-119_america_my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-mar_374968.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“My friends, we did it. We weren't just marking time, we made a difference. We made (America) stronger - we…” — Ronald Reagan",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ronald Reagan",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "My friends, we did it. We...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-marking-time-we-made-a/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/my-friends-we-did-it-we-weren-t-just-marking-time-we-made-a/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
