“ In the past... those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside. ”
John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address (20 January 1961). copy citation
| Author | John F. Kennedy |
|---|---|
| Source | Inaugural Address |
| Topic | power danger risk |
| Date | 20 January 1961 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/3/3-h/3-h.htm |
Context
“To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free: we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom. . .and to remember that. . .in the past. . .those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside. To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery: we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required. . .not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right.”
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Meaning and analysis
