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John F. Kennedy Quotes - Page 12

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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

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.

John F. Kennedy
Art, Opportunity, Civilization
Speech at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, on October 26, 1963. "Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy", p. 817, 1963.

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. The relationship between the soundness of the body and the activities of the mind is subtle and complex. Much is not yet understood. But we do know what the Greeks knew: that intelligence and skill can only function at the peak of their capacity when the body is healthy and strong; that hardy spirits and tough minds usually inhabit sound gods.

John F. Kennedy
Sports, Strong, Hockey
"Sport at the New Frontier: The Soft American". Sports Illustrated, Volume 13, Issue 26, pp. 14-17, December 26, 1960.

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... Second, were we truly men of judgment... Third, were we truly men of integrity... Finally, were we truly men of dedication?-

John F. Kennedy
Success, Courage, Truth
Address to Massachusetts legislature, 9 Jan. 1961

And lastly, Chairman Khrushchev has compared the United States to a worn-out runner living on its past performance, and stated that the Soviet Union would out-produce the United States by 1970. Without wishing to trade hyperbole with the Chairman, I do suggest that he reminds me of the tiger hunter who has picked a place on the wall to hang the tiger's skin long before he his caught the tiger. This tiger has other ideas.

John F. Kennedy
Wall, Past, Ideas
News Conferences, www.jfklibrary.org. June 28, 1961.

A rising tide (in the economy) lifts all boats.

John F. Kennedy
Political, Rising, Politics

The great free nations of the world must take control of our monetary problems if these problems are not to take control of us.

John F. Kennedy
World, Problem, Take Control

In whatever area in life one may meet the challenges 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
Courage, Inspiration, Loss
Selected Quotations from John F. Kennedy's Book "Profiles in Courage", www.jfklibrary.org. 1957.

Now we have a problem in making our power credible, and Vietnam is the place.

John F. Kennedy
Vietnam, Vietnam War, Problem
1961 Attributed remark to journalist James Reston, following Kennedy's meeting with Khrushchev, Jun.

Sure it's a big job; but I don't know anyone who can do it better than I can.

John F. Kennedy
Jobs, Political, Politics

Bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations. Weapons of war must be abolished before they abolish us...No longer is the quest for disarmament a sign of weakness, (nor) the destruction of arms a dream - it is a practical matter of life or death. The risks inherent in disarmament pale in comparison to the risks inherent in an unlimited arms race.

John F. Kennedy
Dream, War, Race

Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in.

John F. Kennedy
Wall, People, Perfect
Ich bin ein Berliner (I am a 'Berliner'), delivered 26 June 1963, West Berlin

Finally, I believe in an America where religious intolerance will someday end; where all men and all churches are treated as equal; where every man has the same right to attend or not attend the church of his choice; where there is no Catholic vote, no anti-Catholic vote, no bloc voting of any kind; and where Catholics, Protestants and Jews, at both the lay and pastoral level, will refrain from those attitudes of disdain and division which have so often marred their works in the past, and promote instead the American ideal of brotherhood.

John F. Kennedy
Religious, Attitude, Believe
Address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, delivered 12 September 1960 at the Rice Hotel in Houston, TX

Once you say you're going to settle for second, that's what happens to you in life.

John F. Kennedy
Life, Motivational, Crazy
Biography/Personal Quotes, www.imdb.com.

All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words 'Ich bin ein Berliner!'

John F. Kennedy
Patriotic, Pride, Men
Remarks in Rudolf Wilde Platz,West Berlin, Germany, 26 June 1963.

Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resource.

John F. Kennedy
Inspiring, Education, Teacher
Kennedy, John F. (1962). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1961”, p.107, Best Books on

We must face the fact that the United States is neither omnipotent nor omniscient, that we cannot impose our will upon the other 94 percent of mankind, that we cannot right every wrong or reverse every adversity, and that therefore there cannot be an American solution to every world problem.

John F. Kennedy
Adversity, Faces, Facts

The guiding principle of this Nation has been, is now, and ever shall be IN GOD WE TRUST.

John F. Kennedy
Guiding Principles, God We Trust, Has Beens

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

John F. Kennedy
Time, Science, Maturity

Failure has no friends.

John F. Kennedy
Success, No Friends

The most powerful single force in the world today is neither Communism nor Capitalism, neither the H-bomb nor the guided missile -- it is man's eternal desire to be free and independent.

John F. Kennedy
Freedom, Powerful, Independent

Our national conservation effort must include the complete spectrum of resources: air, water, and land; fuels, energy, and minerals; soils, forests, and forage; fish and wildlife. Together they make up the world of nature which surrounds us- of the American heritage.

John F. Kennedy
Air, Land, Water
Kennedy, John F. (1963). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1962”, p.177, Best Books on

I think when we talk about corporal punishment, and we have to think about our own children, and we are rather reluctant, it seems to me, to have other people administering punishment to our own children, because we are reluctant, it puts a special obligation on us to maintain order and to send children out from our homes who accept the idea of discipline. So I would not be for corporal punishment in the school, but I would be for very strong discipline at home so we don't place an unfair burden on our teachers.

John F. Kennedy
Teacher, Strong, Children
News Conference 56, May 22, 1963.

The success of this Government, and thus the success of our Nation, depends in the last analysis upon the quality.of our career services. The legislation enacted by the Congress, as well as the decisions made by me and by the department and agency heads, must all be implemented by the career men and women in the Federal service. In foreign affairs, national defense, science and technology, and a host of other fields, they face problems of unprecedented importance and perplexity. We are all dependent on their sense of loyalty and responsibility as well as their competence and energy.

John F. Kennedy
Loyalty, Responsibility, Technology
"Special Message to the Congress on Federal Pay Reform". February 20, 1962.

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 F. Kennedy
Country, Successful, Opportunity
Campaign speech, Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio, October 17, 1960.

Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors.

John F. Kennedy
Book, Writing, Library
Saturday Review, p. 44, October 29, 1960.