“Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we’ve ever known.”
- February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004
- American
- The 40th President of the United States, Actor, Politician, Governor of California
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Quote
“Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation. You will have opportunities beyond anything we’ve ever known.”
Explanation
In this quote, Ronald Reagan affirms a belief in intergenerational progress and the cumulative nature of human achievement. By saying each generation “stands on the shoulders” of the one before, he acknowledges that today’s advancements are built on the sacrifices, innovations, and lessons of those who came earlier. It’s an expression of gratitude toward the past and hope for the future, emphasizing that progress is a shared legacy passed forward.
Reagan often spoke to the promise of American youth and the belief that freedom, technology, and prosperity would only expand over time. Delivered in speeches to students or during national addresses, this quote reflects his faith in the ingenuity and optimism of younger generations. It also speaks to his broader narrative of America as a land of endless possibility, where each generation inherits not only challenges but unprecedented opportunities to shape the world.
Today, the quote resonates in an era of rapid change—technological, social, and environmental. It serves as both a reminder of the responsibility to honor past efforts and an encouragement to push boundaries and pursue bold ambitions. Reagan’s words continue to inspire the idea that progress is not only possible but expected, provided that each generation embraces its chance to reach higher.
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