--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You and I have a rendezvous with destiny…" description: "\"You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bf/ronald-reagan-119_america_you-and-i-have-a-rendezvous-with-destiny_1675467.jpg" --- # You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve… ![“You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children’s children say of us we justified our…” quote by Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bf/ronald-reagan-119_america_you-and-i-have-a-rendezvous-with-destiny_1675467.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bf/ronald-reagan-119_america_you-and-i-have-a-rendezvous-with-destiny_1675467.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bf/ronald-reagan-119_america_you-and-i-have-a-rendezvous-with-destiny_1675467.jpg) > “You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children’s children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done.” [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. Reagan urges sacrifice for future generations, framing present actions as a moral duty to avoid darkness. **In simple terms:** Act now for children’s future. Key Takeaway Prioritize long‑term societal good. Themes responsibility future generations hope Mood inspirational urgent Type visionary ethical When to use this quote - policy making - environmental stewardship - education reform Key Concepts ethical leadership intergenerational justice Questions to Reflect On - What sacrifices are needed for future safety? - How can we balance present needs with future risks? A Different Perspective Short‑term interests often outweigh long‑term concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Best Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-hope/) [Brief moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brief-moments/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Destiny Preserve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny-preserve-904480/) [Done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/done/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [First step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-step/) [First steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-steps/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Hoping for the best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hoping-for-the-best/) [Justified](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justified/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Memorial day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memorial-day/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Our children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-children/) [Patriotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotic/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Preserve Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preserve-children-904481/) [Rendezvous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rendezvous/) [Rendezvous Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rendezvous-destiny-904479/) [Sentences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentences/) [Steps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steps/) [Thousand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-and-i-have-a-rendezvous-with-destiny-we-will-preserve-for-our-2/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [We're Americans, and we have a rendezvous with destiny . . . No people who have ever lived on this earth have fought harder,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-re-americans-and-we-have-a-rendezvous-with-destiny-no-people-who/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/this-generation-of-americans-has-a-rendezvous-with-destiny/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [“The 101st has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maj-gen-william-c-lee/the-101st-has-no-history-but-it-has-a-rendezvous-with-destiny/) [Maj. Gen William C. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maj-gen-william-c-lee/) > [Was the earth made to preserve a few covetous, proud men to live at ease, and for them to bag and barn up the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerrard-winstanley/was-the-earth-made-to-preserve-a-few-covetous-proud-men-to-live-at/) [Gerrard Winstanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerrard-winstanley/) > [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/) > [In a world wracked by hatred, economic crisis, and political tension, America remains mankind's best hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/in-a-world-wracked-by-hatred-economic-crisis-and-political-tension/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [A troubled and afflicted mankind looks to us, pleading for us to keep our rendezvous with destiny; that we will uphold the principles of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/a-troubled-and-afflicted-mankind-looks-to-us-pleading-for-us-to-keep/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [For all its terrible faults, in one sense America is still the last, best hope of mankind, because it spells out so vividly the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-mount/for-all-its-terrible-faults-in-one-sense-america-is-still-the-last/) [Ferdinand Mount](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-mount/) > [You just do the best you can and hope people see the potential in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-benioff/you-just-do-the-best-you-can-and-hope-people-see-the-potential-in-it/) [David Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-benioff/) > [You go out and do the best you can and hope it works. You just try to improve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-leach/you-go-out-and-do-the-best-you-can-and-hope-it-works-you-just-try-to/) [Mike Leach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-leach/) > [We all do our best. We hope we can win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/essam-el-hadary/we-all-do-our-best-we-hope-we-can-win/) [Essam El Hadary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/essam-el-hadary/) > [I am heartbroken, but I have been heartbroken before, and this might be the best for which I can hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-heartbroken-but-i-have-been-heartbroken-before-and-this-might-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We don't get to pick our kin. The best we can hope for is to survive them...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lindsay/we-don-t-get-to-pick-our-kin-the-best-we-can-hope-for-is-to-survive/) [Jeff Lindsay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lindsay/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## 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": "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. 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