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John F. Kennedy Quotes
1917–1963 United States
John Fitzgerald Kennedy (29 May 1917 – 22 November 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK, Jack, or the shortening John F. Kennedy, was the 35th president of the United States (1961–1963), a United States senator from Massachusetts (1953–1960), and a United States representative (1947–1953).
United States Anti-communists Non-fiction authors Orators Politicians Also known as: Jack Kennedy, John F Kennedy, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, John Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy, John F.
Random John F. Kennedy quote
307 quotes
Our Constitution wisely assigns both joint and separate roles to each branch of the government; and a President and a Congress who hold each other in mutual respect will neither permit nor attempt any trespass.
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty.
In short, we are neither "warmongers" nor "appeasers," neither "hard" nor "soft." We are Americans, determined to defend the frontiers of freedom, by an honorable peace if peace is possible, but by arms if arms are used against us.
Many months of sacrifice and self-discipline lie ahead--months in which our patience and our will will be tested--months in which many threats and denunciations will keep us aware of our dangers. But the greatest danger of all would be to do nothing.
Now it is time to take longer strides — time for a great new American enterprise — time for this nation to take a clearly leading role in space achievement, which in many ways may hold the key to our future on earth. I believe we possess all the resources and talents necessary.
As this State's income rises, so does the income of Michigan. As the income of Michigan rises, so does the income of the United States. A rising tide lifts all the boats and as Arkansas becomes more prosperous so does the United States and as this section declines so does the United States. So I regard this as an investment by the people of the United States in the United States.
In a world of danger and trial, peace is our deepest aspiration, and when peace comes we will gladly convert not our swords into plowshares, but our bombs into peaceful reactors, and our planes into space vessels. "Pursue peace," the Bible tells us, and we shall pursue it with every effort and every energy that we possess. But it is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war.
Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.
Attributed Mayor (1984)
One person can make a difference, and every person should try.
Misattributed
I have a nice home, the office is close by, and the pay is good.
Attributed
A wall is a hell of a lot better than a war.
Attributed
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.
Attributed
I think 'Hail to the Chief' has a nice ring to it.
Attributed
I'm always rather nervous about how you talk about women who are active in politics, whether they want to be talked about as women or as politicians.
Attributed
All my life I've known better than to depend on the experts. How could I have been so stupid, to let them go ahead?
Attributed
A child miseducated is a child lost.
Misattributed
He "said to one of the highest officials of his Administration that he wanted 'to splinter the C.I.A. in a thousand pieces and scatter it to the winds.'"
Attributed
What would Lincoln have been without the Civil War? Just another railroad lawyer!
Attributed
A revolution is coming — a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough — But a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character; we cannot alter its inevitability.
Misattributed
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