How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
But we must never forget that no government schemes are going to perfect man. We know that living in this world means dealing with what philosophers would call the phenomenology of evil or, as theologians would put it, the doctrine of sin. (97-99)
It's important to remember that when Reagan talks about sin, he's not just referencing communism and communist ideologies. The U.S. has done its own share of naughty things, and while the government has done its best to make up for it, sin will always be part of life. The best we can do is accept it, and try to make small changes as we go.
Quote #2
There is sin and evil in the world, and we're enjoined by Scripture and the Lord Jesus to oppose it with all our might. (100)
It would be really easy to look at this speech and shake your head at Reagan claiming that a little American spirit could rid the world of all the bad stuff. But Reagan wasn't trying to say all evil would disappear. In fact, in this quote, he recognizes the opposite. Evil is part of life, and will always exist, but as a country founded on the principles of the Scripture, Americans still have a duty to try and fight against it.
Quote #3
I know that you've been horrified, as have I, by the resurgence of some hate groups preaching bigotry and prejudice. (106)
Part of what makes this speech so influential, so important, is the way Reagan chooses to make his point. He doesn't stand up and talk about sin and evil without acknowledging that America has had her fair share big-time mess ups. Instead, he acknowledges that sin and evil exist in our past, and actually in the present, too, and that he's horrified by it. Those things together prove he knows what he's talking about.
Quote #4
I believe that communism is another sad, bizarre chapter in human history whose last pages even now are being written. I believe this because the source of our strength in the quest for human freedom is not material, but spiritual. (165-166)
Reagan's belief that the end of communism is near comes from not only his personal hopes for the future of the world, but also from a staunch understanding of the power of the human spirit. He doesn't think that type of cruelty, of blatant government oppression, is sustainable in any way, shape or form, and that the power of morals, of good people doing good things, will always overcome the bad stuff—even if it takes a little while.