50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (2024)

Last updated on October 1st, 2021 at 09:22 am

JFK also known as John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S & was the 35th president of the Unites States of America. Known as one of the most loved presidents in American History, there is much we can learn from him. Therefore, we bring to you our collection of 50 Must See John F Kennedy Quotes!

Must See John F Kennedy Quotes

“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.”

John F. Kennedy, Inaugural address, 20 January 1961.

“When written in Chinese, the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Speech, United Negro College Fund, Indianapolis, Indiana, April 12, 1959

“Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, As reported in: Mayor (Simon and Schuster, 1984) by Ed Koch, William Rauch, p. 96
50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (1)

“Conformity is the jailer of freedom and the enemy of growth.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: 1961

“The very word ‘secrecy’ is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths, and to secret proceedings.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (ed. 1962)

“I have said that control of arms is a mission that we undertake particularly for our children and our grandchildren and that they have no lobby in Washington.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, November 1, 1963, Public Papers of the President: John F. Kennedy, 1963.

“Political action is the highest responsibility of a citizen.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Speech, October 20, 1960

“While we proceed to safeguard our national interests, let us also safeguard human interests. And the elimination of war and arms is clearly in the interest of both.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, American University speech, 10 June 1963

“Of the multitude who throughout history have spoken for human dignity in times of great suffering and loss, no voice is more compelling than that of Anne Frank.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, As quoted in: A tribute to Anne Frank (Doubleday, 1970), p. 57

“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, America, the Beautiful: In the Words of John F. Kennedy (ed. 1964)

“My brother Bob doesn’t want to be in government – he promised Dad he’d go straight.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, The Wicked Wit of John F. Kennedy (ed. Michael O’Mara Books, 2003) – ISBN: 9781843170570

“If we are strong, our strength will speak for itself. If we are weak, words will be of no help.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Neither the Fanatics Nor the Faint-hearted (ed. 1963)
50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (2)

Fascinating John F Kennedy Quotes

“No government or social system is so evil that its people must be considered as lacking in virtue.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, American University speech, 10 June 1963

“We will neglect our cities to our peril, for in neglecting them we neglect the nation.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, speech to Congress, Jan. 30, 1962

“When I ran for Presidency of the United States, I knew that this country faced serious challenges, but I could not realize – nor could any man realize who does not bear the burdens of this office – how heavy and constant would be those burdens.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Berlin Crisis speech, July 25, 1961

“No responsibility of government is more fundamental than the responsibility of maintaining the highest standard of ethical behaviour for those who conduct the public business.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (ed. 1962)

“The Greeks understood that mind and body must develop in harmonious proportions to produce a creative intelligence.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, The Wisdom of JFK (ed. 1965)

“Arms alone are not enough to keep the peace. It must be kept by men.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, State of the Union message, 1963

“Certain other societies may respect the rule of force—we respect the rule of law.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Address at Vanderbilt University, 18 May 1963

“We test and then they test and we have to test again. And you build up until somebody uses them.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, As quoted in: A Thousand Days (1965)

“Freedom is not merely a word or an abstract theory, but the most effective instrument for advancing the welfare of man.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1961: (ed. Best Books on, 1962) – ISBN: 9781623768997

“If all of you had voted the other way – there’s about 5500 of you here tonight – I would not be the President of the United States.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, “Address in Chicago at a dinner of the Democratic Party of Cook County (155),” April 28, 1961, Public Papers of the Presidents: John F. Kennedy, 1961.

“Our responsibility is one of decision, for to govern is to choose.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (ed. 1962)

“There is no city in the United States in which I can get a warmer welcome and fewer votes than Columbia, Ohio.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, John F. Kennedy (ed. 1962)
50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (3)

Great John F Kennedy Quotes

“Political sovereignty is but a mockery without the means of meeting poverty and illiteracy and disease. Self-determination is but a slogan if the future holds no hope.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, UN speech, 25 September 1961

“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, “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1963”, p.836, Best Books on

“The basis of effective government is public confidence, and that confidence is endangered when ethical standards falter or appear to falter.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (ed. 1962)

“Geography has made us neighbours. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Address to the Canadian Parliament (17 May 1961)

“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (ed. 1964)

“Only in the case of the Negro has the melting pot failed to bring a minority into the full stream of American life.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, The Kennedy reader (ed. 1967)
50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (4)

“The problems of the world cannot possibly be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. We need men who can dream of things that never were and ask “why not?”.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Speech delivered to the Dail (Parliament of Ireland) (28 June 1963)

“The future promise of any nation can be directly measured by the present prospects of its youth.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (ed. 1964)

“The United States has to move very fast to even stand still.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Quoted in the Observer, 21 July 1963

“No man who enters upon the office to which I have succeeded can fail to recognize how every president of the United States has placed special reliance upon his faith in God.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (ed. 1962)

“The world was not meant to be a prison in which man awaits his execution.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Containing the Public Messages, Speeches, and Statements of the President (ed. 1962)

“The basis of self-government and freedom requires the development of character and self-restraint and perseverance and the long view. And these are qualities which require many years of training and education.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Address at the University of Washington, 16 November 1961
50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (5)

Our most rated John F Kennedy Quotes

“This country cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1963”, p.13, Best Books on

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Address on first anniversary of Alliance for Progress, 13 Mar. 1962

“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Inaugural Address, 20 Jan. 1961

“Too often we… enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Yale University Commencement Address, delivered 11 June 1962

“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, 1963 On sending national guardsmen to ensure peaceful integration at the University of Alabama. Address to the nation, 11 Jun.

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1963”, p.517,

“A nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1962”, p.163,

“The state is the servant of the citizen, and not his master.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1962”, p.9,

“In a time of turbulence and change, it is more true than ever that knowledge is power.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1962”, p.266,

“Only an educated and informed people will be a free people.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Vanderbilt University 90th Anniversary Convocation Address, delivered 18 May 1963, Vanderbilt University Stadium, Nashville Tennessee

“Economic growth without social progress lets the great majority of the people remain in poverty, while a privileged few reap the benefits of rising abundance.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1961”, p.178,

“Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, John F. Kennedy’s Speech at the Coliseum, Raleigh, North Carolina, September 17, 1960.

“The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Inaugural Address, delivered 20 January 1961

“Hold fast to the best of the past and move fast to the best of the future.”

JOHN F. KENNEDY, Vanderbilt University 90th Anniversary Convocation Address, delivered 18 May 1963, Vanderbilt University Stadium, Nashville Tennessee
50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (6)

We hope that you enjoyed our selection here ! Please leave a comment and let us know what your favourite John F Kennedy Quotes are!

Perhaps of interest to you would be our collection of quotes from other US Presidents:

  • Barack Obama Quotes
  • George Washington Quotes

Some Interesting Facts about John F. Kennedy

John F Kennedy’s family was wealthy; hence he was one of the wealthiest presidents ever. His father, Joseph Kennedy, was involved in Wall Street and similar investment opportunities, and he escaped a terrorist attack in 1920, soon after JFK was born. Kennedy also won a Purple Heart for his service in the Pacific during world war 2 and became the only president to win this prestigious award.

Kennedy received the sacramental last rites three times before his presidency due to his severe health issues. He has been disqualified from Army and Navy both during the physical examination due to his poor health. But because of his father’s reach and influence, he did join the Navy with a fake good health certificate. He also won a Pulitzer Prize for his book “Why England Slept” at 22.

He donated all his salary from Congress and the presidency to charity. Kennedy attended Princeton University before Harvard but had to drop in between because of his intestinal issues.

If you enjoyed reading these facts, then you should also check out these 9 Fascinating Facts About George H. W. Bush’s Life and Work!

Related

Turtle Quotes

50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (7)

50 Must Read John F Kennedy Inspirational Quotes | Turtle Quotes (2024)

FAQs

What was John F. Kennedy's most famous quote? ›

Overview. John F. Kennedy's inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good.

What is the inspirational turtle quote? ›

Try to be like the turtle - at ease in your own shell. Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. Take a walk with a turtle.

What are some lines about John F Kennedy? ›

Kennedy was the youngest man elected President; he was the youngest to die. Of Irish descent, he was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1917. Graduating from Harvard in 1940, he entered the Navy.

What does the F in JFK stand for? ›

Originally Answered: What's does the f in JFK stand for? Fitzgerald. His maternal grandfather and namesake John F. Fitzgerald served as a U.S. Congressman and was elected to two terms as Mayor of Boston . Fitzgerald.

What was John F Kennedy's slogan? ›

In accepting the presidential nomination, Kennedy gave his well-known "New Frontier" speech, saying, "For the problems are not all solved and the battles are not all won—and we stand today on the edge of a New Frontier. ... But the New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises—it is a set of challenges.

What is the main idea of JFK's quote? ›

What is the main message of Kennedy's inaugural address? The main message of Kenny's inaugural address is that the world is a better place when nations work together. He also stated the United States and Russia especially should try to cooperate instead of competing for global dominance.

What was JFK's famous speech? ›

“We choose to go to the Moon” "We choose to go to the Moon", officially titled the address at Rice University on the nation's space effort, is a September 12, 1962, speech by United States President John F. Kennedy to further inform the public about his plan to land a man on the Moon before 1970. President Pitzer, Mr.

Why was John F Kennedy inspirational? ›

Others admire his ability to inspire people with his eloquent speeches. Still others think his compassion and his willingness to fight for new government programs to help the poor, the elderly and the ill were most important. Like all leaders, John Kennedy made mistakes, but he was always optimistic about the future.

How fast could JFK read? ›

Reading Speed: John F. Kennedy could read 1,200 words a minute. In 1954-1955 he attended meetings at the Foundation for Better Reading in Baltimore.

Did John F. Kennedy have a nickname? ›

Q: Why was John F. Kennedy called Jack? A: Jack is a common nickname for John and it is what his family called him when he was growing up.

What is JFK code? ›

John F. Kennedy International Airport (IATA: JFK, ICAO: KJFK, FAA LID: JFK) is a major international airport serving New York City and its metropolian area, in the state of New York, United States.

Why was JFK honorably discharged? ›

Earlier that year, Kennedy had been honorably discharged from the U.S. military after earning a Purple Heart and a Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism after he helped his crew survive being stranded at sea after their boat collided with a Japanese destroyer.

What is John F. Kennedy best known for? ›

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to as JFK, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He was the youngest person elected president.

Who said you are no Kennedy? ›

"Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy" was a remark made during the 1988 United States vice presidential debate by Democratic nominee Senator Lloyd Bentsen to Republican nominee Senator Dan Quayle in response to Quayle's mentioning the name of John F.

What are three famous leadership quotes? ›

100 Best Quotes On Leadership
  • A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves. — ...
  • Where there is no vision, the people perish. — ...
  • I must follow the people. ...
  • You manage things; you lead people. —
Oct 16, 2012

References

Top Articles
Visual Health Ballston
Chevrolet Lug Nut Torque Specs Online Chart
Srtc Tifton Ga
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) Stock Price, News, Quote & History - Yahoo Finance
Can ETH reach 10k in 2024?
Lycoming County Docket Sheets
Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Buys Shares of 798,472 AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)
Slay The Spire Red Mask
Iron Drop Cafe
litter - tłumaczenie słowa – słownik angielsko-polski Ling.pl
Craigslist Heavy Equipment Knoxville Tennessee
Craigslist Alabama Montgomery
OpenXR support for IL-2 and DCS for Windows Mixed Reality VR headsets
Moparts Com Forum
Best Suv In 2010
Byte Delta Dental
Ups Access Point Lockers
My Homework Lesson 11 Volume Of Composite Figures Answer Key
CDL Rostermania 2023-2024 | News, Rumors & Every Confirmed Roster
Site : Storagealamogordo.com Easy Call
north jersey garage & moving sales - craigslist
Football - 2024/2025 Women’s Super League: Preview, schedule and how to watch
Brazos Valley Busted Newspaper
Sunset Time November 5 2022
Shoe Station Store Locator
Bj타리
Play It Again Sports Forsyth Photos
950 Sqft 2 BHK Villa for sale in Devi Redhills Sirinium | Red Hills, Chennai | Property ID - 15334774
How to Use Craigslist (with Pictures) - wikiHow
Six Flags Employee Pay Stubs
Helloid Worthington Login
Acadis Portal Missouri
Are you ready for some football? Zag Alum Justin Lange Forges Career in NFL
9781644854013
Dollar Tree's 1,000 store closure tells the perils of poor acquisitions
Miracle Shoes Ff6
2007 Peterbilt 387 Fuse Box Diagram
11526 Lake Ave Cleveland Oh 44102
Craigslist Odessa Midland Texas
Chase Bank Zip Code
Poe Self Chill
Dragon Ball Super Card Game Announces Next Set: Realm Of The Gods
Actress Zazie Crossword Clue
The Largest Banks - ​​How to Transfer Money With Only Card Number and CVV (2024)
Advance Auto.parts Near Me
Horseneck Beach State Reservation Water Temperature
Nfsd Web Portal
Congressional hopeful Aisha Mills sees district as an economical model
Craigslist Charlestown Indiana
Famous Dave's BBQ Catering, BBQ Catering Packages, Handcrafted Catering, Famous Dave's | Famous Dave's BBQ Restaurant
Coors Field Seats In The Shade
Cbs Scores Mlb
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Velia Krajcik

Last Updated:

Views: 5904

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Velia Krajcik

Birthday: 1996-07-27

Address: 520 Balistreri Mount, South Armand, OR 60528

Phone: +466880739437

Job: Future Retail Associate

Hobby: Polo, Scouting, Worldbuilding, Cosplaying, Photography, Rowing, Nordic skating

Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.