John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917–63,) known as JFK, was a Democratic-party political leader who served as the 35th president of the U.S. from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He is remembered as one of the most appealing and beloved political leaders of the twentieth century.
Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, to a wealthy and politically prominent family, JFK was a national war hero during World War II. He served as a U.S. representative and a U.S. senator from Massachusetts before getting elected as the youngest and the first Catholic U.S. president.
JFK gained a widespread reputation as an advocate of civil rights, but Congress frequently blocked his planned legislation. In foreign affairs, he led America through the Bay of Pigs debacle and the Cuban Missile Crisis, the thirteen-day stand-off that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. He also increased military aid to South Vietnam in the Vietnam War and negotiated the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with the USSR and the U.K.
Kennedy’s ambitious proposals for his country were cut short by his untimely assassination, which spawned decades of speculations of conspiracy, cover-up, and doctored film footage. His most admired legacies include the Peace Corps, the U.S. space program, and his advocacy for civil rights. He is also remembered for his inspiring speeches that encouraged humankind to challenge tyranny, racism, and the mysteries of outer space.
JFK is the author of Why England Slept (1940,) the Pulitzer Prize-winning Profiles in Courage (1956,) and A Nation of Immigrants (1958.) His brothers Robert Kennedy and Edward “Ted” Kennedy also served as popular U.S. senators.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by John F. Kennedy
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 F. Kennedy
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Gratitude
Everything changes but change itself. Everything flows and nothing remains the same…You cannot step twice into the same river, for other waters and yet others go flowing ever on.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Change, Creativity
If we could ever competitively, at a cheap rate, get fresh water from saltwater, ..(this) would be in the long-range interests of humanity which could really dwarf any other scientific accomplishments.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Water
In the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding on the back of the tiger ended up inside.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Effort
There is too little public recognition of how much we all depend upon farmers as stewards of our soil, water and wildlife resources.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Water
First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. I believe we should go to the moon. But there is no sense in agreeing or desiring that the United States take an affirmative position in outer space, unless we are prepared to do the work and bear the burdens to make it successful.
—John F. Kennedy
Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.
—John F. Kennedy
Without belittling the courage with which men have died, we should not forget those acts of courage with which men … have lived. The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy. A man does what he must—in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures—and that is the basis of all human morality…. In whatever arena of life one may meet the challenge of courage, whatever may be the sacrifices he faces if he follows his conscience—the loss of his friends, his fortune, his contentment, even the esteem of his fellow men—each man must decide for himself the course he will follow. 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.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Courage, Difficulty, Obstacles, Bravery
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 Gods work must truly be our own.
—John F. Kennedy
This increase in the life span and in the number of our senior citizens presents this Nation with increased opportunities: the opportunity to draw upon their skill and sagacityand the opportunity to provide the respect and recognition they have earned. It is not enough for a great nation merely to have added new years to lifeour objective must also be to add new life to those years.
—John F. Kennedy
A rising tide lifts all boats.
—John F. Kennedy
Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: City Life, Cities
My brother Bob doesn’t want to be in government—he promised Dad he’d go straight.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Politics
In the dark days and darker nights when England stood alone-and most men save Englishmen despaired of England’s life-he (Churchill) mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Britain
We in this country, in this generation, areby destiny rather than choicethe watchmen on the walls of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of peace on earth, good will toward men. That must always be our goal, and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength. For as was written long ago: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
—John F. Kennedy
When we got into office, the thing that surprised me most was to find that things were just as bad as we’d been saying they were.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Politics, Politicians
The science of weapons and war has made us all one world and one human race with one common destiny
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Weapon
The unity of freedom has never relied on uniformity of opinion.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Freedom, Society
The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Society, Americans, Freedom
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 us—recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state—our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions:
First, were we truly men of courage—with the courage to stand up to one’s enemies—and the courage to stand up, when necessary, to one’s associates—the courage to resist public pressure, as well as private greed?
Secondly, were we truly men of judgment—with perceptive judgment of the future as well as the past—of our mistakes as well as the mistakes of others—with enough wisdom to know what we did not know and enough candor to admit it?
Third, were we truly men of integrity—men who never ran out on either the principles in which we believed or the men who believed in us—men whom neither financial gain nor political ambition could ever divert from the fulfillment of our sacred trust?
Finally, were we truly men of dedication—with 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?
Courage—judgment—integrity—dedication—these are the historic qualities … which, with God’s help … will characterize our Government’s conduct in the 4 stormy years that lie ahead.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Giving
In free society art is not a weapon. Artists are not engineers of the soul.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Engineering, Art, Artists, Arts
A police state finds that it cannot command the grain to grow.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Tyranny
The purpose of foreign policy is not to provide an outlet for our own sentiments of hope or indignation; it is to shape real events in a real world.
—John F. Kennedy
All my life Ive known better than to depend on the experts. How could I have been so stupid, to let them go ahead?
—John F. Kennedy
If anyone is crazy enough to want to kill a president of the United States, he can do it. All he must be prepared to do is give his life for the president’s.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Sacrifice
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
Topics: Wishes, Liberty
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
Topics: Science
We prefer world law, in the age of self-determination, to world war in the age of mass extermination.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Nationality, Nationalism, Nation
Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Independence, Defects, Conformity, Growth
Economic growth without social progress lets the great majority of people remain in poverty, while a privileged few reap the benefits of rising abundance.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Economy, Economics
I am deeply touched not as deeply touched as you have been coming to this dinner, but nevertheless it is a sentimental occasion.
—John F. Kennedy
If at times our actions seem to have made life difficult for others, it is only because history has made life difficult for us all.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Difficulties
You never know what’s hit you. A gunshot is the perfect way.
—John F. Kennedy
I look forward to an America which will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft. I look forward to an America which will steadily raise the standards of artistic accomplishment and which will steadily enlarge cultural opportunities for all of our citizens. And I look forward to an America which commands respect throughout the world not only for its strength but for its civilization as well. And I look forward to a world which will be safe not only for democracy and diversity but also for personal distinction.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Wilderness
Great crises produce great men and great deeds of courage.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Greatness
A nation which has forgotten the quality of courage which in the past has been brought to public life is not as likely to insist upon or regard that quality in its chosen leaders today – and in fact we have forgotten.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Nation
Once you say you’re going to settle for second, that’s what happens to you in life, I find.
—John F. Kennedy
Topics: Expectation, Goals, Life, Aspirations
Is this Nation stating it cannot afford to spend an additional $600 million to help the developing nations of the world become strong and free and independentan amount less than this country’s annual outlay for lipstick, face cream, and chewing gum?
—John F. Kennedy
We cannot expect that everyone, to use the phrase of a decade ago, will talk sense to the American people. But we can hope that fewer people will listen to nonsense. And the notion that this Nation is headed for defeat through deficit, or that strength is but a matter of slogans, is nothing but just plain nonsense.
—John F. Kennedy
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