John F. Kennedy: Quotes
- Candor and Sincerity
Civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof.
- Computers
Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all.
- Conformity
. . . conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.
- Crisis and Upheaval
When written in Chinese the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.
- Diplomacy
Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
- Equality
All of us do not have equal talent, but all of us should have an equal opportunity to develop our talents.
- Freedom and Liberty
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.
- Genius and Talent
I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House—with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.
- Modern Times
Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment, to end thirst and hunger, to conquer poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and massive human misery. We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world or to make it the last.
- Patriotism and Nationalism
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.
- Peoples and Places
Washington was a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.
- Poetry and Poets
When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the areas of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.
- Poverty
If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
- Race and Ethnic Heritage
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.
- Revolution and Rebellion
Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
- Science
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.