--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Perhaps you and I have lived with this…" description: "\"“Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/ronald-reagan-119_freedom_perhaps-you-and-i-have-lived-with-this-m_816583.jpg" --- # Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to… ![“Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a…” quote by Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/ronald-reagan-119_freedom_perhaps-you-and-i-have-lived-with-this-m_816583.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/ronald-reagan-119_freedom_perhaps-you-and-i-have-lived-with-this-m_816583.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/486/ronald-reagan-119_freedom_perhaps-you-and-i-have-lived-with-this-m_816583.jpg) > ““Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again.”” [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. Freedom is delicate, requiring each generation to actively protect it, otherwise it can be lost forever. **In simple terms:** Freedom must be defended constantly. Key Takeaway Guard liberty each day. Themes freedom generational responsibility political vigilance Mood reflective urgent Type political inspirational When to use this quote - political activism - education curricula - community organizing - family discussions Key Concepts civic duty historical cycles rights preservation Questions to Reflect On - How do you actively protect freedoms? - What signs indicate freedom is eroding? A Different Perspective Freedom can be taken for granted, leading to complacency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appreciative Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appreciative-freedom-328069/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Freedom Fragile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-fragile-328067/) [Freedom Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-lost-328070/) [Known Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known-freedom-328068/) [Too long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/too-long/) ## Related quotes > [“As President Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation from extinction. It is not ours by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-winters/as-president-reagan-once-said-freedom-is-a-fragile-thing-and-is-never/) [Larry Winters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-winters/) > [Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lost-it-have-never-known-it/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/freedom-is-a-fragile-thing-and-is-never-more-than-one-generation-away/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Our natural, inalienable rights are now considered to be a dispensation from government, and freedom has never been so fragile, so close to slipping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/our-natural-inalienable-rights-are-now-considered-to-be-a/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [Where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-free-unions-and-collective-bargaining-are-forbidden-freedom-is/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [When government gets too big, freedom is lost. Government is supposed to be the servant. But when a government can tax the people with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/when-government-gets-too-big-freedom-is-lost-government-is-supposed/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“If one has never known freedom, it is easy to be blind to the gridirons composing one's cell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nenia-campbell/if-one-has-never-known-freedom-it-is-easy-to-be-blind-to-the/) [Nenia Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nenia-campbell/) > [“You are waiting for me to describe what this silence is so that you can compare it, interpret it, carry it away and bury…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/you-are-waiting-for-me-to-describe-what-this-silence-is-so-that-you/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [“Perhaps slavery is harder for a person who has known freedom. Perhaps it does not matter. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-p-kiernan/perhaps-slavery-is-harder-for-a-person-who-has-known-freedom-perhaps/) [Stephen P. Kiernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-p-kiernan/) > [Only the man who has known freedom Can define his prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-fisher/only-the-man-who-has-known-freedom-can-define-his-prison/) [Catherine Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-fisher/) > [Here was the freedom I desired, long sought-for, not yet known Freedom to write, to walk, to wander, freedom to climb hills, to pull…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daphne-du-maurier/here-was-the-freedom-i-desired-long-sought-for-not-yet-known-freedom/) [Daphne du Maurier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daphne-du-maurier/) > [Freedom is like holding a small bird. If you squeeze it too hard, you will kill it. But if you don't hold it firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-kotlowitz/freedom-is-like-holding-a-small-bird-if-you-squeeze-it-too-hard-you/) [Alex Kotlowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-kotlowitz/) > [It is a rare man who can prevail in the face of comfort. Freedom is fragile and elusive, for rarely does the appreciation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-rossio/it-is-a-rare-man-who-can-prevail-in-the-face-of-comfort-freedom-is/) [Terry Rossio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-rossio/) > [“Since man always remains free and since his freedom is always fragile, the kingdom of good will never be definitively established in this world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/since-man-always-remains-free-and-since-his-freedom-is-always-fragile/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Freedom is fragile and must be protected. To sacrifice it, even as a temporary measure, is to betray it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germaine-greer/freedom-is-fragile-and-must-be-protected-to-sacrifice-it-even-as-a/) [Germaine Greer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germaine-greer/) ## 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 Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [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/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. Better than your words, your eye tells me all your peril. You are not yet free, you still search for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-breaks-my-heart-better-than-your-words-your-eye-tells-me-all-your/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/history-has-often-showed-us-the-strength-of-the-forces-that-are/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. I'm happy on the second tier, where I have autonomy on a professional level but I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-reece/i-don-t-want-to-be-famous-famous-i-m-happy-on-the-second-tier-where-i/) [Gabrielle Reece](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-reece/) [Browse all 30,110 Freedom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. 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