John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)

Quotes

• I think there is a law of equity in these disputes. When one party is clearly wrong, it will eventually give way... They had no business putting those missiles in and lying to me about it. They were in the wrong and knew it. So, when we stood firm, they had to back down. But this doesn't mean at all that they would back down when they felt they were in the right and had vital interests involved.

• The trouble with conservatives today is that most of their thinking is so naive. As for the liberals, their thinking is more sophisticated; but their function ought to be to provide new ideas, and they don't come up with any.

• Now I understand why Henry VIII started his own church.

• We believe that an artist, in order to be true to himself and his work, must be a free man.

• Overwhelming nuclear strength cannot stop a guerrilla war.

• For without belittling the courage with which men have died, we should not forget those acts of courage with which men have lived.

• So, let us not be blind to our differences - but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved.

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

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

• We set sail on this new sea because there is knowledge to be gained.

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

• I look foreword to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty.

• This nation was founded by many 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.

• 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.

• Before my term has ended, we shall have to test anew whether a nation organized and governed such as ours can endure. The outcome is by no means certain.

• 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.

• I look forward to an america in which commands respect throughout the world, not only for its strength, but for its civilization as well. And I look forward to a world in which we will be safe not only for democracy and diversity but also for personal distinction.

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

• Democracy and defense are not substitutes for one another. Either alone will fail.

• Let us never negotiate out of fear but let us never fear to negotiate.