--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who have known freedom and then…" description: "\"Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again\" — Ronald Reagan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/ronald-reagan-119_fragile-things_those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lo_629272.jpg" --- # Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never… ![“Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again” quote by Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/ronald-reagan-119_fragile-things_those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lo_629272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/ronald-reagan-119_fragile-things_those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lo_629272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/ronald-reagan-119_fragile-things_those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lo_629272.jpg) > “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. Experiencing freedom once and losing it prevents true appreciation of liberty. **In simple terms:** Lost freedom is hard to regain. Key Takeaway Protect and cherish liberty. Themes freedom loss appreciation politics Mood determined reflective Type political inspirational When to use this quote - legislative advocacy - public education - community activism Key Concepts civil rights historical memory policy Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards prevent loss of freedom? - How can societies rebuild after oppression? A Different Perspective Some may regain freedom through new experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fragile things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fragile-things/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [“Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/perhaps-you-and-i-have-lived-with-this-miracle-too-long-to-be/) [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/) > [“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 > [ Tell me, is it better to know love and have lost it or to have never known it at all? \[Camulus\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/tell-me-is-it-better-to-know-love-and-have-lost-it-or-to-have-never/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“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/) > [“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/) > [“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/) > [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’s the thing about freedom: Freedom is not a couch. It’s not a television, or a car, or a house. It’s not an item…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-sakey/here-s-the-thing-about-freedom-freedom-is-not-a-couch-it-s-not-a/) [Marcus Sakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-sakey/) > [For the saddest epitaph which can be carved in memory of a vanished freedom is that it was lost because its possessors failed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sutherland/for-the-saddest-epitaph-which-can-be-carved-in-memory-of-a-vanished/) [George Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sutherland/) > [It's sad that in the struggle for my country's freedom, I have lost my personal freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geert-wilders/it-s-sad-that-in-the-struggle-for-my-country-s-freedom-i-have-lost-my/) [Geert Wilders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geert-wilders/) > [I do know that it’s important for us to support the Iraqi people, who have shown incredible courage in their desire to live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-do-know-that-it-s-important-for-us-to-support-the-iraqi-people-who/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) ## 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 Fragile things quotes > [Mortals are such fragile things. Just tender feelings walking around exposed in their delicate shells...Easy to crush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-marr/mortals-are-such-fragile-things-just-tender-feelings-walking-around/) [Melissa Marr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-marr/) > [“Hearts were beautifully fierce yet fragile things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerri-maniscalco/hearts-were-beautifully-fierce-yet-fragile-things/) [Kerri Maniscalco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerri-maniscalco/) > [“Those mornings were fragile things — like flowers blooming in the middle of a battlefield. She hadn’t realized then that the soil beneath them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-sn/those-mornings-were-fragile-things-like-flowers-blooming-in-the/) Maggie Sn > [“happiness and love were fragile things. And we should be thankful for what we have when we have it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenna-aubrey/happiness-and-love-were-fragile-things-and-we-should-be-thankful-for/) [Brenna Aubrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenna-aubrey/) > [Human beings are fragile things, and for the period of time it takes to get them to Mars and back, you have dangerous radiation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-allen/human-beings-are-fragile-things-and-for-the-period-of-time-it-takes/) [Paul Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-allen/) > [True delicacy is not a fragile thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-broughton/true-delicacy-is-not-a-fragile-thing/) [James Broughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-broughton/) > [Friendships are fragile things and require as much care in handling as any other fragile and precious thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randolf-s-bourne/friendships-are-fragile-things-and-require-as-much-care-in-handling/) Randolf S Bourne > [The dreamer dies, but never dies the dream, Though Death shall call the whirlwind to his aid, Enlist men's passions, trick their hearts with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-dreamer-dies-but-never-dies-the-dream-though-death-shall-call-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Memory, like liberty, is a fragile thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-loftus/memory-like-liberty-is-a-fragile-thing/) [Elizabeth Loftus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-loftus/) > [“Life is fragile. Be cautious in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/life-is-fragile-be-cautious-in-life/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Ideas are the most fragile things in the world, and if you do not write them down, they will be lost forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-cooke/ideas-are-the-most-fragile-things-in-the-world-and-if-you-do-not/) [Phil Cooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-cooke/) > [There are stories within stories, whispered in the quiet of the night, shouted above the roar of the day, and played out between lovers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/there-are-stories-within-stories-whispered-in-the-quiet-of-the-night/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Memories are fragile things to hold, but many times, it's what we have.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-howard-creel/memories-are-fragile-things-to-hold-but-many-times-it-s-what-we-have/) [Ann Howard Creel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-howard-creel/) > [Human identity is the most fragile thing that we have, and it's often only found in moments of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-rudolph/human-identity-is-the-most-fragile-thing-that-we-have-and-it-s-often/) [Alan Rudolph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-rudolph/) > [“Gods are fragile things, they may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense. They thrive on servility and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chapman-cohen/gods-are-fragile-things-they-may-be-killed-by-a-whiff-of-science-or-a/) [Chapman Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chapman-cohen/) [Browse all 69 Fragile things quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fragile-things/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ronald Reagan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lost-it-have-never-known-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fragile things" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lost-it-have-never-known-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/ronald-reagan-119_fragile-things_those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lo_629272.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/ronald-reagan-119_fragile-things_those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lo_629272.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2a4/ronald-reagan-119_fragile-things_those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lo_629272.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again” — 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": "Those who have known freedom and...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lost-it-have-never-known-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/those-who-have-known-freedom-and-then-lost-it-have-never-known-it/#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 } } ] } ```