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John F. Kennedy quotes

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“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.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“It is our belief that the state is the servant of the citizen and not his master.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“Wealth is the means—and people are the ends.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“This country cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“And so, my fellow Americans... ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“For the unity of freedom has never relied on uniformity of opinion.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“In the past... those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days... nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“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.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“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.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“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.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“the one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is certain or unchangeable.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“For a closed society is not open to ideas of progress—and a police state finds that it cannot command the grain to grow.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“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.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“The mere absence of war is not peace.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“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.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it... and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.” John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address

“While we shall never weary in the defense of freedom, neither shall we ever abandon the pursuit of peace.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“For we seek not the worldwide victory of one nation or system but a worldwide victory of man. The modern globe is too small, its weapons are too destructive, and its disorders are too contagious to permit any other kind of victory.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining—by filling three basic gaps in our anti-recession protection.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“As the idealism of our youth has served world peace, so can it serve the domestic tranquility.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“we cannot for long lead the cause of peace and freedom, if we ever cease to set the pace here at home.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

“complacency or self-congratulation can imperil our security as much as the weapons of tyranny. A moment of pause is not a promise of peace.” John F. Kennedy, State of the Union Address

Related topics

courage freedom burden peace wealth responsibility society change conscience danger poverty power world liberty state risk success tyranny life people

Related sources

State of the Union Address (13)
Inaugural Address (12)