Famous Quotes of John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, often referred to as JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. Born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kennedy came from a wealthy and politically influential family. He was the youngest person ever elected to the presidency, at the age of 43. Kennedy’s presidency was marked by significant events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the Space Race.

In this article, we have provided the best and some of the most famous quotes on Leadership, Peace, Progress, Innovation, and Culture.

Famous Quotes of John F. Kennedy on Leadership and Governance

1. “Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer but the right answer.”
2. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
3. “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.”
4. “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”
5. “Domestic policy can only defeat us; foreign policy can kill us.”
6. “If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can make the world safe for diversity.”
7. “I look forward to an America which will not be afraid of grace and beauty.”
8. “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”
9. “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”
10. “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Famous Quotes of John F. Kennedy on Peace and Conflict

1. “War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.”
2. “Mankind must put an end to war – or war will put an end to mankind.”
3. “Our problems are man-made, therefore they can be solved by man. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.”
4. “Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.”
5. “Let us…step back from the shadow of war and seek out the way of peace.”
6. “Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.”
7. “The one unchangeable certainty is that nothing is unchangeable or certain.”
8. “If not us, who? If not now, when?”
9. “We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.”
10. “To further the appreciation of culture among all the people, to increase respect for the creative individual.”

Famous Quotes of John F. Kennedy on Progress and Innovation

1. “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.”
2. “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.”
3. “The New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises—it is a set of challenges.”
4. “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”
5. “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”
6. “I would rather be accused of breaking precedents than breaking promises.”
7. “In the Chinese language, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters, one representing danger and the other, opportunity.”
8. “Let us not despair but act. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past.”
9. “Life is never easy. There is work to be done and obligations to be met – obligations to truth, to justice, and to liberty.”
10. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically.”

Famous Quotes of John F. Kennedy on Art and Culture

1. “If more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced the world would be a little better place in which to live.”
2. “The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the center of a nation’s purpose.”
3. “In serving his vision of the truth, the artist best serves his nation.”
4. “I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed over our cities, we, too, will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battle or in politics, but for our contribution to the human spirit.”
5. “To further the appreciation of culture among all the people, to increase respect for the creative individual.”
6. “The life of the artist is, in relation to his work, stern and lonely. He has labored hard, often amid deprivation, to perfect his skill.”
7. “It may be different elsewhere. But democratic society – in it, the highest duty of the writer, the composer, the artist is to remain true to himself.”
8. “I look forward to an America which will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft.”
9. “There is a connection, hard to explain logically but easy to feel, between achievement in public life and progress in the arts.”
10. “It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.”

People Also Read:

• John F. Kennedy University
• List of Presidents of the United States of America
• 100 Best Leadership Quotes

FAQs – Famous Quotes of John F. Kennedy

What was John F. Kennedy’s most famous quote?

“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” is particularly well-known. Others include the moonshot speech quote and the inaugural address quote about negotiation.

What were John F. Kennedy’s biggest accomplishments as president?

Significant events during his presidency include the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the Space Race (though the moon landing occurred later.

What was John F. Kennedy’s stance on war and peace?

He strongly desired peace and opposed war, as seen in quotes like “Mankind must put an end to war” and “Let us…step back from the shadow of war.” He also acknowledged the need for defense in certain situations.

What was John F. Kennedy’s legacy?

His potential impact might lie in areas like leadership, progress and innovation, and art and culture, as suggested by the quotes. The assassination undoubtedly shapes his legacy, too.

How did John F. Kennedy die?

John F. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963. This is a sensitive topic, and further research is recommended for a comprehensive understanding.