John Fitzgerald Kennedy Quotes

A collection of quotes by John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, also known as JFK, was an influential politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until his untimely assassination in November 1963. Born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kennedy hailed from a wealthy and politically prominent family. He graduated from Harvard University in 1940 and later joined the Navy during World War II, earning a Purple Heart and other commendations for his bravery.

After his military service, Kennedy embarked on a political career, winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1946. In 1952, he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate and subsequently gained national attention for his eloquence and charisma. In 1960, Kennedy defeated Richard Nixon in a closely contested presidential election, becoming the youngest person (at age 43) and the first Catholic to hold the presidency.

During his presidency, Kennedy faced significant challenges and addressed several critical issues, such as the Cold War, civil rights, and space exploration. He famously announced the ambitious goal of landing humans on the moon before the end of the 1960s, setting in motion the Apollo program that eventually achieved this feat in 1969.

Tragically, Kennedy's life was cut short on November 22, 1963, when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. His assassination sent shockwaves throughout the nation and the world, leaving a lasting impact on American society. Despite his brief tenure, JFK's youthful vigor, charisma, and idealism continue to make him an enduring figure in American history.

There is always inequity in life. Some men are killed in a w

There is always inequity in life. Some men are killed in a war and some men are wounded, and some men never leave the country, and some men are stationed in the Antarctic and some are stationed in San Francisco. Its very hard in military or in personal life to assure complete equality. Life is unfair.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to

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 allexcept 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.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


So let us here resolve that Dag Hammarskjold did not live, o

So let us here resolve that Dag Hammarskjold did not live, or die, in vain. Let us call a truce to terror. Let us invoke the blessings of peace. And, as we build an international capacity to keep peace, let us join in dismantling the national capacity to wage war.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


Dont teach my boy poetry, an English mother recently wrote t

Dont teach my boy poetry, an English mother recently wrote the Provost of Harrow. Dont teach my boy poetry; he is going to stand for Parliament. Well, perhaps she was rightbut if more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced the world would be a little better place to live on this Commencement Day of 1956.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


Dante once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved

Dante once said that the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in a period of moral crisis maintain their neutrality.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious

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

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


Of course, both major parties today seek to serve the nation

Of course, both major parties today seek to serve the national interest. They would do so in order to obtain the broadest base of support, if for no nobler reason. But when party and officeholder differ as to how the national interest is to be served, we must place first the responsibility we owe not to our party or even to our constituents but to our individual consciences.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


A young man who does not have what it takes to perform milit

A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living. Todays military rejects include tomorrows hard core unemployed.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


Sometimes party loyalty asks too much.

Sometimes party loyalty asks too much.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


Well, I am reading more and enjoying it lesslaughterand so o

Well, I am reading more and enjoying it lesslaughterand so on, but I have not complained nor do I plan to make any general complaints. I read and talk to myself about it, but I dont plan to issue any general statement on the press. I think that they are doing their task, as a critical branch, the fourth estate. And I am attempting to do mine. And we are going to live together for a period, and then go our separate ways. Laughter.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And wh

For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of usrecording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the stateour success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions:First, were we truly men of couragewith the courage to stand up to ones enemiesand the courage to stand up, when necessary, to ones associatesthe courage to resist public pressure, as well as private greed?Secondly, were we truly men of judgmentwith perceptive judgment of the future as well as the pastof our mistakes as well as the mistakes of otherswith enough wisdom to know what we did not know and enough candor to admit it. Third, were we truly men of integritymen who never ran out on either the principles in which we believed or the men who believed in usmen whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust?Finally, were we truly men of dedicationwith an honor mortgaged to no single individual or group, and comprised of no private obligation or aim, but devoted solely to serving the public good and the national interest?Couragejudgmentintegritydedicationthese are the historic qualities which, with Gods help will characterize our Governments conduct in the 4 stormy years that lie ahead.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


And so it is that I carry with me from this State to that hi

And so it is that I carry with me from this State to that high and lonely office to which I now succeed more than fond memories and fast friendships. The enduring qualities of Massachusettsthe common threads woven by the Pilgrim and the Puritan, the fisherman and the farmer, the Yankee and the immigrantwill not be and could not be forgotten in the Nations Executive Mansion. They are an indelible part of my life, my convictions, my view of the past, my hopes for the future.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a tho

According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


And we must face the fact that the United States is neither

And we must face the fact that the United States is neither omnipotent or omniscientthat we are only 6 percent of the worlds populationthat we cannot impose our will upon the other 94 percent of mankindthat we cannot right every wrong or reverse every adversityand that therefore there cannot be an American solution to every world problem.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


And if we are to open employment opportunities in this count

And if we are to open employment opportunities in this country for members of all races and creeds, then the Federal Government must set an example. The President himself must set the key example. I am not going to promise a Cabinet post or any other post to any race or ethnic group. That is racism in reverse at its worst. So I do not promise to consider race or religion in my appointments if I am successful. I promise only that I will not consider them.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


As they say on my own Cape Cod, a rising tide lifts all the

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.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


I am deeply touchednot as deeply touched as you have been co

I am deeply touchednot as deeply touched as you have been coming to this dinner, but nevertheless it is a sentimental occasion.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


This Nation was founded by men of many nations and backgroun

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.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


In its knowledges light, we must think and act not only for

In its knowledges light, we must think and act not only for the moment but for our time. I am reminded of the great French Marshal Lyautey, who once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow-growing and would not reach maturity for a hundred years. The Marshal replied, In that case, there is no time to lose, plant it this afternoon.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy


Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, wh

Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he want to climb it. He said Because it is there. Well, space is there, and were going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy