An inspirational and thoughtful speech by Ben Sasse

 

Ben Sasse will not be with us for long.  He has a terminal disease. He has decided to contribute to our national conversation about the future for as long as he is able.  Here is the text of a speech he gave at the Manhattan Institute's Hamilton Awards dinner May 6, 2026.  

Mr. Sasse says many useful things.  I particularly appreciated his comments on four habits that young families need to inculcate into their way of being a family. 

1. Develop the habit of intension reading books: good fiction, history, biography, etc. Reading should be apart from digital distractions. 

2. Develop the habit of hard work

3. Develop the habit of a regular tech Sabbath. He also mentions his family's observance of a religious sabbath. 

4. Develop the habit of intentional travel to experience and learn from families and different cultures. Sasse explains that this is more than "vacation."  



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