100+ John F. Kennedy Quotes | InspiringQuotes.us

I would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.

Topics: Promise, Breaking Promises, Precedent, Keeping Your Word

quote the republican party can lead any person to believe that their promises will be fulfilled john f kennedy Quotes

For in a government of laws and not of men, no man, however prominent or powerful, and no mob however unruly or boisterous, is entitled to defy a court of law. If this country should ever reach the point where any man or group of men by force or threat of force could long defy the commands of our court and our Constitution, then no law would stand free from doubt, no judge would be sure of his writ, and no citizen would be safe from his neighbors.

Topics: Country, Powerful, Men, Unruly, Boisterous

Quotation John F Kennedy If a free society cannot help the many who are Quotes

There are three things in life which are real: God, human folly and laughter. Since the first two are beyond our comprehension, we must do what we can with the third.

Topics: Success, Laughter, Real, Human Folly

A police state finds that it cannot command the grain to grow.

Topics: Police, States, Tyranny, Police State

Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.

Topics: Inspirational, Success, Failure, Dare To Try, Daring To Be Great

This country cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor.

source: - Kennedy, John F. (1964). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1963”, p.13, Best Books on

Topics: Country, Wealth, Rich

The state is the servant of the citizen, and not his master.

Topics: Class, Citizens, States

Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.

Topics: Motivational, Commitment, Tolerance, Lack Of Commitment, Patience And Tolerance

If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

Topics: Inspirational, Success, Helping Others, Hunger And Poverty, Hunger Poverty

Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.

Topics: Inspirational, Basketball, Courage

The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.

Topics: Inspirational, Memorial Day, Freedom, Memorial Day Poems, True Freedom

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

Topics: Inspirational, Thank You, Thanksgiving, I Am Thankful, Inspirational Gratitude

Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.

Topics: Inspirational, Peace, Strong, Pro War

Israel was not created in order to disappear - Israel will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom.

Topics: Children, Adversity, Home, Demoralized

The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.

Topics: Patriotic, Men, Rights, Inaugural Address, Inaugural Speech

A revolution is coming â€“ a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough â€“ but a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character; we cannot alter its inevitability.

Topics: Wise, Character, Successful

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

source: - Inaugural Address, 20 Jan. 1961

Topics: Inspirational, Inspiring, Country, Inaugural Speech, Independence Day Patriotic

One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.

Topics: Inspirational, Morning, Kindness, Inspirational Bullying, Inspiring Volunteer

A boy spends his time finding a girl to sleep with. A real man spends his time looking for the one worth waking up to.

Topics: Girl, Real, Sleep

If not us, who? If not now, when?

Topics: Inspirational

No matter how big the lie; repeat it often enough and the masses will regard it as the truth.

Topics: Lying, Matter, Propaganda

I really don't know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it is because in addition to the fact that the sea changes and the light changes, and ships change, it is because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it we are going back from whence we came

Topics: Ocean, Thinking, Blood, Mariners, Ocean Currents

Our deep spiritual confidence that this nation will survive the perils of today - which may well be with us for decades to come - compels us to invest in our nation's future, to consider and meet our obligations to our children and the numberless generations that will follow.

Topics: Spiritual, Children, Presidential, Deep Spiritual

I have seen in many places housing which has been developed under government influences, but I have never seen any projects in which governments have played their part which have fountains and statues and grass and trees, which are as important to the concept of the home as the roof itself.

Topics: Home, Government, Presidential

Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life and who are willing to consciously work and sacrifice for that freedom.

Topics: Sacrifice, Liberty, Arms, Minutemen, Limiting Government

The US Airforce assures me that UFO's pose no threat to National Security.

Topics: National Security, Threat, Ufo, Extraterrestrial

There's a plot in this country to enslave every man, woman, and child. Before I leave this high and noble office, I intend to expose this plot.

Topics: Country, Children, Men

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.

source: - Address on first anniversary of Alliance for Progress, 13 Mar. 1962

Topics: Inspirational, Peace, Freedom, Social Revolution, American Revolution

We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution.

Topics: 4th Of July, Heirs, Firsts, American Patriot, American Patriotic

Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.

source: - John F. Kennedy's Speech at Loyola College Alumni Banquet, Baltimore, Maryland, www.jfklibrary.org. February 18, 1958.

Topics: 4th Of July, Responsibility, Past, Personal Responsibility, Brush Strokes

The best road to progress is freedom's road.

Topics: Inspirational, Memorial Day, Freedom, Freedom Liberty

Those who do nothing are inviting shame as well as violence. Those who act boldly are recognizing right as well as reality.

Topics: Reality, Violence, Shame

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it.

source: - Address to the American Newspaper Publishers, delivered 27 April 1961, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York

Topics: Long, People, Secret, Imitating, Concealment

Our Constitution wisely assigns both joint and separate roles to each branch of the government; and a President and a Congress who hold each other in mutual respect will neither permit nor attempt any trespass.

Topics: Government, President, Roles

Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Change, Managing Change, Managing Time

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.

Topics: Being Strong, Men, Stronger, Strong Man, I Am Strong

Communism has never come to power in a country that was not disrupted by war or corruption, or both.

Topics: Country, War, Power, Power Corruption, Communism And Socialism

A country is as strong, really, as its citizens. And I think that mental and physical health - mental and physical vigor - go hand in hand.

Topics: Country, Strong, Thinking, Physical Health

Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.

source: - John F. Kennedy, Dominique Enright (2003). “The Wicked Wit of John F. Kennedy”, Michael O'Mara Books

Topics: Funny, Forgiveness, Witty, Never Forgive, Inspirational Forgiveness

Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.

Topics: Motivational, Change, Inspiring

Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.

Topics: Inspirational, Motivational, Death, Inspirational Diversity, Missiles

We must use time as a tool, not as a couch.

Topics: Time, Presidential, Tools, Managing Time, Use Of Time

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

source: - Inaugural Address, 20 Jan. 1961

Topics: Inspirational, Memorial Day, Freedom, Inaugural Speech, Independence And Freedom

The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.

Topics: Men, Retail, Pay, Farming And Farmers

A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.

Topics: Life, Fall, Patriotic, Inspiration And Creativity, Modern Warfare

My fellow Americans, let us take that first step. Let us...step back from the shadow of war and seek out the way of peace. And if that journey is a thousand miles, or even more, let history record that we, in this land, at this time, took the first step.

Topics: War, Journey, Land, Thousand Miles

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days . . .nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Change

I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty, which will protect the beauty of our natural environment, which will preserve the great old American houses and squares and parks of our national past and which will build handsome and balanced cities for our future.

Topics: Nature, Past, Squares, Us Independence Day

The human mind is our fundamental resource.

Topics: Inspirational, Teaching, Learning, Inspiring Educational, Progress Of Society

The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.

source: - 1963 On sending national guardsmen to ensure peaceful integration at the University of Alabama. Address to the nation, 11 Jun.

Topics: Freedom, Men, Rights, Equal Rights, Brush Strokes

The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.

Topics: Inspirational, Ignorance, Voting, Voting And Democracy

If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.

Topics: Art, Umpires, Roots, Society And Culture, Art And Culture

We would like to live as we once lived, but history will not permit it.

Topics: Life, History, Permit, World History

The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word 'crisis.' One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger--but recognize the opportunity.

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Patriotic, Life Crisis, Opportunity Knocking

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.

Topics: Motivational, Fitness, Health, Soundness, Inspirational Body

We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things. Not because they are easy, but because they are hard.

Topics: Moon, Challenges, Chill, Space Race, Space Travel

The war against hunger is truly mankind's war of liberation.

Topics: War, Justice, Hunger, Hunger Awareness, World Hunger

There are many people in the world who really don't understand-or say they don't-what is the great issue between the free world and the Communist world. Let them come to Berlin!

Topics: Issues, People, World, Economic Progress, Berlin Wall

Remember that our nation's first great leaders were also our first great scholars.

Topics: Educational, Leader, Firsts

All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talent.

Topics: Inspirational, Educational, Opportunity, Equal Opportunity, Nurturing

A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.

source: - Kennedy, John F. (1963). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1962”, p.163, Best Books on

Topics: Christian, Peace, War, Freedom Of The Press, American Values

No one has been barred on account of his race from fighting or dying for America, there are no white or colored signs on the foxholes or graveyards of battle.

Topics: Fighting, White, America, Foxholes

The Jewish people, ever since David slew Goliath, have never considered youth as a barrier to leadership.

Topics: People, Youth, Goliath

The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.

Topics: Optimistic, Patriotic, Inventor, American Patriotism, Best American

I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.

Topics: Knowledge, Science, Thinking, White House, Human Knowledge

World peace, like community peace, does not require that each man love his neighbor - it requires only that they live together with mutual tolerance, submitting their disputes to a just and peaceful settlement.

Topics: Inspirational, Peace, Men, Peace And Tolerance, Peace And Justice

Our growing softness, our increasing lack of physical fitness, is a menace to our security.

Topics: Fitness, Cancer, Exercise, Inspirational Health And Fitness, Physical Fitness

War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.

Topics: Peace, War, Presidential, Just War, War Of The Worlds

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.

source: - Kennedy, John F. (1963). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1962”, p.144, Best Books on

Topics: Inspirational, Motivational, Positive, Shining Down

The very word 'secrecy' is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths, and to secret proceedings.

Topics: People, Political, Secret, Government And Society, Secret Society

When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.

Topics: Patriotic, Men, Power, Power Corrupts

The greater our knowledge increases the more our ignorance unfolds.

Topics: Wisdom, Soulmate, Ignorance

It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war.

source: - Andrew Linzey (1976). “Animal rights: a Christian assessment of man's treatment of animals”, SCM Press

Topics: Peace, War, Humanity, Preparing For War

We believe that if men have the talent to invent new machines that put men out of work, they have the talent to put those men back to work.

Topics: Work, Believe, Men, Inventing, New Talent

We can say with some assurance that, although children may be the victims of fate, they will not be the victims of our neglect.

Topics: Children, Fate, Presidential

It's only when they join together in a forward movement that this country moves ahead...

Topics: Country, Moving, Presidential, Moving Ahead, Forward Movement

The tax on capital gains directly affects investment decisions, the mobility and flow of risk capital... the ease or difficulty experienced by new ventures in obtaining capital, and thereby the strength and potential for growth in the economy.

Topics: Decision, Risk, Growth, Capital Gains, Capital Gains Tax

Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.

Topics: Workout, Peace, War, Peace And Harmony, Peace Harmony

A nation which has forgotten the quality of courage which in the past has been brought to public life is not as likely to insist upon or regard that quality in its chosen leaders today - and in fact we have forgotten.

Topics: Leadership, Courage, Patriotic, Nigeria Independence

But I think the American people expect more from us than cries of indignation and attack. The times are too grave, the challenge too urgent, and the stakes too high to permit the customary passions of political debate. We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future. As Winston Churchill said on taking office some twenty years ago: if we open a quarrel between the present and the past, we shall be in danger of losing the future.

Topics: Passion, Past, Thinking, Political Debates, Enviromental

The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.

Topics: Education, Life Lesson, Teaching, Dissemination

A child miseducated is a child lost.

Topics: Education, Teacher, Children

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.

Topics: Destiny, Men, Innovation, Solved Problems, Life And Destiny

There is always inequality in life. Some men are killed in a war and some men are wounded and some men never leave the country. Life is unfair.

Topics: Life, Country, War, Country Life, Life Is Unfair

Politics is like football; if you see daylight, go through the hole.

Topics: Football, Motivational Sports, Political

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, and all forms of human life.

Topics: Science, Men, Technology, Inaugural, Inaugural Address

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words 'Ich bin ein Berliner!'

Topics: Patriotic, Pride, Men, West Berlin, Free Man

There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.

Topics: Motivational, Leadership, Life And Love

Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.

Topics: Inspiring, Education, Appreciation, Inspiring Educational, Progress Of Society

Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life.

Topics: Life, Motivational, Crazy

If by a "Liberal" they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people-their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights and their civil liberties-someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicions that grip us in our policies abroad, if that is what they mean by a "Liberal", then I'm proud to say I'm a "Liberal.

Topics: Jobs, Believe, School

Every time that we try to lift a problem from our own shoulders, and shift that problem to the hands of the government, to the same extent we are sacrificing the liberties of our people.

Topics: Sacrifice, Government, Hands

So let us begin anew -- remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Topics: Weakness, Sides, Remember, Inaugural Address, Inaugural Speech

Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies. Those whom God has so joined together, let no man put asunder.

Topics: Inspirational, Friends, Men, International Relations, Neighbors And Friends

As they say on my own Cape Cod, a rising tide lifts all the boats. And a partnership, by definition, serves both partners, without domination or unfair advantage. Together we have been partners in adversitylet us also be partners in prosperity.

Topics: Together, Capes, Rising, Cape Cod, Unfair Advantage

The problems with this world cannot possibly be solved by sceptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need people who can dream of things that never were.

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Motivational

This nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds. It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened ... It ought to to be possible, in short, for every American to enjoy the privileges of being American without regard to his race or his color.

Topics: Men, Rights, Race

The wave of the future is not the conquest of the world by a single dogmatic creed but the liberation of the diverse energies of free nations and free men.

Topics: Future, Men, Energy

There is only one rule by which to judge if God is near us or is far away - the rule that God's word is giving us today: everyone concerned for the hungry, the naked, the poor, for those who have vanished in police custody, for the tortured, for prisoners, for all flesh that suffers, has God close at hand. We have the ability, we have the means, and we have the capacity to eliminate hunger from the face of the earth. We need only the will.

Topics: Mean, Hands, Judging

Every area of trouble gives out a ray of hope; and the one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable.

Topics: Hope, Giving, Rays, Unchangeable, Ray Of Hope

The unity of freedom has never relied on uniformity of opinion.

Topics: Diversity, Unity, Opinion, Uniformity, Unity In Diversity

For in a democracy, every citizen, regardless of his interest in politics, "hold office"; every one of us is in a position of responsibility; and, in the final analysis, the kind of government we get depends upon how we fulfill those responsibilities. We, the people, are the boss, and we will get the kind of political leadership, be it good or bad, that we demand and deserve.

Topics: Courage, Responsibility, Government, Interest In Politics, Political Leadership

The true democracy, living and growing and inspiring, puts its faith in the people - faith that the people will not simply elect men who will represent their views ably and faithfully, but will also elect men who will exercise their conscientious judgment - faith that the people will not condemn those whose devotion to principle leads them to unpopular courses, but will reward courage, respect honor, and ultimately recognize right.

Topics: Courage, Exercise, Men, Profiles In Courage, True Democracy

Let us resolve to be masters, not the victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions.

Topics: Change, Destiny, Giving, Giving Way, Us President

I believe in human dignity as the source of national purpose, human liberty as the source of national action, the human heart as the source of national compassion, and in the human mind as the source of our invention and our ideas

Topics: Believe, Heart, Compassion, Human Heart, Human Dignity

We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others.

Topics: 4th Of July, Commitment, Conviction

Peace does not rest in the charters and covenants alone. It lies in the hearts and minds of all people. So let us not rest all our hopes on parchment and on paper, let us strive to build peace, a desire for peace, a willingness to work for peace in the hearts and minds of all of our people. I believe that we can. I believe the problems of human destiny are not beyond the reach of human beings.

Topics: Peace, Lying, Believe, Peace Of Heart, Being At Peace

With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking his blessing and his help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

Topics: Blessing, Land, Knowing, Inaugural, Inaugural Address

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Topics: Country, Men, America, Inaugural Speech, July 4

Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free.

Topics: Freedom, Men, Indivisible, West Berlin, Free Man

A great change is at hand, and our task, our obligation, is to make that revolution, that change, peaceful and constructive for all.

Topics: Hands, Peaceful, Tasks, Peaceful Revolution

Anyone who can solve the problems of water will be worthy of two Nobel prizes - one for peace and one for science.

Topics: Two, Water, Problem, Water Resources, Drinking Water

There is too little public recognition of how much we all depend upon farmers as stewards of our soil, water and wildlife resources.

Topics: Water, Soil, Wildlife

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries.

Topics: Wise, Strong, Book, Libraries And Librarians, Library Books

We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future.

Topics: Positivity, Light, Darkness

Arms alone are not enough to keep the peace. It must be kept by men.

Topics: Peace, Men, Arms

The stories of past courage... can offer hope, they can provide inspiration. But they cannot supply courage itself. For this each man must look into his own soul.

Topics: Motivational, Inspiration, Past, Profiles In Courage, Hope Courage

American history is not something dead and over. It is always alive,always growing, always unfinished.

Topics: Alive, Growing, American History

Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours, and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor.

Topics: Self, Justice, Presidential, Labor Union, Bargaining

The American Labor Movement has consistently demonstrated its devotion to the public interest. It is, and has been, good for all America.

Topics: America, Presidential, Movement, Labor Movement, Labor Union

The only reason to give a speech is to change the world.

Topics: Giving, World, Speech

It was involuntary. They sank my boat.

Topics: Peace, War, Boat, Involuntary

I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth. No single space project...will be more exciting, or more impressive to mankind, or more important...and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish...

Topics: Believe, Moon, Men, Man In The Moon, Moon Landing

Above all, we are coming to understand that the arts incarnate the creativity of a free people.

Topics: Art, Creativity, People

And so it is to the printing press--to the recorder of mans deeds, the keeper of his conscience, the courier of his news-- that we look for strength and assistance, confident that with your help man will be what he was born to be: free and independent.

Topics: Independent, Men, Looks, Printing Press, Born To Be Free

Harvard gave me an education, but Junior Chamber gave me an education for life.

Topics: Juniors, Harvard

I strongly believe in Scouting. ... It's a source of great strength to us.

Topics: Believe, Source, Scouting

For one true measure of a nation is its success in fulfilling the promise of a better life for each of its members. Let this be the measure of our nation.

Topics: Presidential, Promise, Better Life

Our task is not to fix blame for the past, but to fix the course for the future.

Topics: Future, Healing, Past

Whatever one's religion in his private life may be, for the officeholder, nothing takes precedence over his oath to uphold the Constitution and all its parts - including the First Amendment and the strict separation of church and state.

Topics: Presidential, Church, May, Church And State, Separation Of Church And State

A rising tide (in the economy) lifts all boats.

Topics: Political, Rising, Tides

But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in the Peace Corps-who works in a foreign land-will know that he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and a condition of peace.

Topics: Men, Land, Foundation, Peace Corps, Foreign Lands

Of all the multitudes who throughout history have spoken for human dignity in times of great suffering and loss, no voice is more compelling than that of Anne Frank.

Topics: Loss, Voice, Suffering

No President should fear public scrutiny of his program. For from that scrutiny comes understanding; and from that understanding comes support or opposition and both are necessary.

Topics: Support, Understanding, President, Informing, Secret Society

In a time of turbulence and change, it is more true than ever that knowledge is power.

Topics: Knowledge Is Power, Turbulence

The United States of America has no intention of finishing second in space. This effort is expensive-but it pays its way for freedom and for America.

Topics: Future, America, Space

Lets talk to one another instead of about one another.

There is a connection, hard to explain logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life and progress in the arts.

Topics: Art, Achievement, Progress, Phidias, Public Art

Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are; but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, 'rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation', a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.

Topics: War, Twilight, Struggle, Inaugural, Inaugural Address

Democracy is never a final achievement. It is a call to an untiring effort.

Topics: Achievement, Effort, Democracy

The margin is narrow, but the responsibility is clear.

Topics: Responsibility, Clear, Elections And Voting, Margins

We are under exercised as a nation. We look instead of play. We ride instead of walk. Our existence deprives us of the minimum of physical activity essential for healthy living.

Topics: Life, Play, Healthy, Physical Exercise, Physical Activity

By calling attention to 'a well regulated militia,' 'the security of the nation,' and the right of each citizen 'to keep and bear arms,' our founding fathers recognized the essentially civilian nature of our economy... The Second Amendment still remains an important declaration of our basic civilian-military relationships in which every citizen must be ready to participate in the defense of his country. For that reason I believe the Second Amendment will always be important.

Topics: Country, Father, Military, Handguns, Militia

Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. Our requirements for world leadership, our hopes for economic growth, and the demands of citizenship itself in an era such as this all require the maximum development of every young American's capacity. The human mind is our fundamental resource.

Topics: Education, Money, Mind

Truth is a tyrant-the only tyrant to whom we can give our allegiance. The service of truth is a matter of heroism.

Topics: Truth, Tyrants, Giving

Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.

Topics: Simple, Pleasure, Compare, Cycles, Biking

Never before has man had such a great capacity to control his own environment, to end hunger, poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and human misery. We have the power to make the best generation of mankind in the history of the world.

Topics: Men, Volunteer, Disease, Hunger Poverty

We in this country, in this generation, areby destiny rather than choicethe watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of peace on earth, good will toward men. That must always be our goal, and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength. For as was written long ago: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Topics: Country, Peace, Wall, Peace On Earth, Power And Responsibility

Knowledge of the oceans is more than a matter of curiosity. Our very survival may hinge upon it.

Topics: Ocean, Survival, Curiosity, Ocean Exploration

Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man

Topics: Men, May, Problem

Never let your fears hold you back from pursuing your hopes.

We are opposed around the world by a monolithic and ruthless conspiracy that relies primarily on covert means for expanding its sphere of influence â€” on infiltration instead of invasion, on subversion instead of elections, on intimidation instead of free choice, on guerrillas by night instead of armies by day

Topics: Mean, Army, Night, Infiltration, Sphere Of Influence

Don't pray for an easy life, pray to be a stronger man.

Topics: Men, Stronger, Praying, Just Stay Strong, Inspirational Courage

It is a paradoxical truth that tax rates are too high and tax revenues are too low and the soundest way to raise the revenues in the long run is to cut the rates now Cutting taxes now is not to incur a budget deficit, but to achieve the more prosperous, expanding economy which can bring a budget surplus.

Topics: Running, Cutting, Long, Budget Deficit

Lower rates of taxation will stimulate economic activity and so raise the levels of personal and corporate income as to yield within a few years an increased - not a reduced - flow of revenues to the federal government.

Topics: Years, Yield, Government

Persons are judged to be great because of the positive qualities they possess, not because of the absence of faults.

Topics: Quality, Faults, Affirmation, Positive Affirmations

There is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment.

Topics: Survival, President, Needs

Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. The relationship between the soundness of the body and the activities of the mind is subtle and complex. Much is not yet understood. But we do know what the Greeks knew: that intelligence and skill can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong; that hardy spirits and tough minds usually inhabit sound gods.

Topics: Sports, Strong, Skills, Physical Fitness, Physical Education

Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength of the nation.

Topics: Dream, Mean, Learning, Inspirational Education, Public Education

A nation reveals itself not only by the men it produces but also by the men it honors, the men it remembers.

Topics: Men, Honor, Remember, Nigeria Independence, Honoring Veterans

If more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced the world would be a little better place in which to live.

Topics: Inspirational, Presidential, Intelligence

I am not the Catholic candidate for President. I am the Democratic Party's candidate for President, who happens also to be a Catholic.

Topics: Party, Hymns, Political, Democratic Party

We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.

Topics: Inspirational, Positive, Leadership, Inspirational Gratitude, Thanksgiving Day

Great crisis produce great men and great deeds of courage.

Topics: Being Strong, Greatness, Men

We need men who can dream of things that never were.

Topics: Motivational, Dream, Inspiration, Man Of My Dreams, Solved Problems

The rising tide lifts all the boats.

Topics: Rising, Tides, Boat, Cape Cod

The great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie, deliberate, contrived and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.

Topics: Trust, Peace, Fear, Great Liar, Ultimate Truth

Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.

Topics: Hope, Children, Presidential, Happy Children, Hope For The Future

If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.

Topics: Peace, Differences, Diversity, Inspirational Diversity, Cuban Missile Crisis

Without debate, without criticism no administration and no country can succeed and no republic can survive.

source: - Address to the American Newspaper Publishers, delivered 27 April 1961, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York

Topics: Country, Government, President

Not every child has an equal talent or an equal ability or equal motivation, but they should have the equal right to develop their talent and their ability and their motivation, to make something of themselves.

Topics: Motivation, Children, Talent

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

Topics: Inspirational, Leadership, Educational, Live And Learn, Top Management

Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.

Topics: Motivational, Inspiring, Leadership, Victory And Defeat, Victory Defeat

We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.

Topics: Moon, Winning, Skills

We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or to make it the last.

Topics: Historical, Experience, Generations

We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.

Topics: Art, Truth, Presidential

To those whom much is given, much is expected.

Topics: Inspirational, Given, Expected

I hope that no American will waste his franchise and throw away his vote by voting either for me or against me solely on account of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant.

Topics: Religious, Voting, Waste, Affiliation

Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace.

Topics: Peace, War, Torches, Inaugural, Inaugural Address

I am sorry to say that there is too much point to the wisecrack that life is extinct on other planets because their scientists were more advanced than ours.

Topics: Sorry, Apology, Technology, I Am Sorry, Extinct Animals

If anyone is crazy enough to want to kill a president of the United States, he can do it. All he must be prepared to do is give his life for the president's.

Topics: Life, Crazy, Sacrifice, Cuban Missile Crisis

The United States has to move very fast to even stand still.

Topics: Moving, America, Progress

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it.

Topics: Freedom, Responsibility, Long, Inaugural, Inaugural Address

You know nothing for sure...except the fact that you know nothing for sure.

Topics: Facts

The most powerful single force in the world today is neither Communism nor Capitalism, neither the H-bomb nor the guided missile -- it is man's eternal desire to be free and independent.

Topics: Freedom, Powerful, Independent

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to allâ€”except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.

Topics: Wise, Strong, Book, Libraries And Librarians, Questionnaires

Sure it's a big job; but I don't know anyone who can do it better than I can.

Topics: Jobs, Political, Politics

The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence.

Topics: Inspirational, Life, Greek, Ancient Greek, Definition Of Happiness

We must face the fact that the United States is neither omnipotent nor omniscient, that we cannot impose our will upon the other 94 percent of mankind, that we cannot right every wrong or reverse every adversity, and that therefore there cannot be an American solution to every world problem.

Topics: Adversity, World, Faces, Omniscient, World Problems

The supreme reality of our time is the vulnerability of our planet.

Topics: Time, Reality, Environmental, Eco Friendly

The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardner objected that the tree was slow growing and wouldn't reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, "In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!

Topics: Time, Science, Maturity, Great French, Losing Time

We are confronted primarily with a moral issue... whether all Americans are to be afforded equal rights and equal opportunities, whether we are going to treat our fellow Americans as we want to be treated.

Topics: Opportunity, Issues, Rights, Moral Issues, Equal Rights

The pay is good and I can walk to work.

Topics: Work, Pay, Walks

We will neglect our cities to our peril, for in neglecting them we neglect the nation.

Topics: Cities, Neglect, Peril, City Life, Cities At Night

The world knows that America will never start a war. This generation of Americans has had enough of war and hate... we want to build a world of peace where the weak are secure and the strong are just.

Topics: Peace, Strong, Hate

Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet.

Topics: Links, Common, Planets

We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came.

Topics: Ocean, Sea, Sailing

Liberty without Learning is always in peril and Learning without Liberty is always in vain.

Topics: Education, Freedom, Learning, Touchstones, Eternal Vigilance

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

Topics: Art, Stars, Ocean, Inaugural, Inaugural Address

When written in Chinese, the word 'crisis' is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.

Topics: Inspirational, Success, Attitude, Life Opportunity, Encouraging Words

John F. Kennedy Quotes:

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