John F. Kennedy

JFK: (Speech at the University of Washington, Seattle, November 16, 1961) In short, we must face problems which do not lend themselves to easy or quick or permanent solutions. And we must face the fact that the United States is neither omnipotent nor omniscient, that we are only six percent of the world's population, that we cannot impose our will upon the other ninety-four percent of mankind, that we cannot right every wrong or reverse each adversity, and that therefore there cannot be an American solution to every world problem.

JFK: (Acceptance Speech as the Democratic presidential nominee, July 15, 1960) The New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises - it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them.

JFK: (May 25, 1961) 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. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish.

JFK: I can assure you that every degree of mind and spirit that I possess will be devoted to the long-range interests of the United States and to the cause of freedom around the world.

JFK: 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 all - except 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.

JFK: 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.

JFK: Liberty without learning is always in peril; learning without liberty is always in vain.

JFK: The great French Marshall Lyautey once asked his gardener to plant a tree. The gardener objected that the tree was slow growing and would not reach maturity for 100 years. The Marshall replied, 'In that case, there is no time to lose; plant it this afternoon!'

JFK: Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.

JFK: We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch.

JFK: When we got into office, the thing that surprised me the most was that things were as bad as we'd been saying they were.

JFK: We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others.

JFK: Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

JFK: Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.

JFK: Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all.

JFK: The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence.

JFK: The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.

JFK: Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.

JFK: Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.

JFK: A child miseducated is a child lost.

JFK: Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.

JFK: (part of his Ignagrual address in 1961) Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country!