John F Kennedy’s Wisest Quotes

very flat, simple, and abstract 2D watercolor-style illustration of John F. Kennedy, placed on the right side of the image, smiling with a thoughtfu

Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country ~ John F. Kennedy

  1. “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
    • From Kennedy’s inaugural address on January 20, 1961, this is perhaps his most famous line, urging Americans to contribute to the common good and embody civic responsibility.
  2. “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”
    • This quote reflects Kennedy’s stance on diplomacy during the Cold War, emphasizing strength and the importance of peaceful negotiations.
  3. “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”
    • A reminder of the importance of courage and resilience, this quote encourages risk-taking as essential to achieving greatness.
  4. “Mankind must put an end to war—or war will put an end to mankind.”
    • In his address to the United Nations in 1961, Kennedy called for peace amid rising tensions with the Soviet Union, highlighting the existential threat of nuclear war.
  5. “Our problems are man-made—therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.”
    • Kennedy emphasized the potential of human ingenuity to tackle any challenge, inspiring confidence in the power of collective action.
  6. “A child miseducated is a child lost.”
    • Kennedy advocated for education reform, emphasizing that quality education is crucial to unlocking the potential of every individual and society.
  7. “The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.”
    • This quote speaks to his belief in civil rights, affirming that justice and equality for all are integral to a fair society.
  8. “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
    • Kennedy stressed the importance of adaptation and forward-thinking, particularly in a rapidly changing world.
  9. “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
    • From his 1962 “Moon Speech” at Rice University, this line captures Kennedy’s vision and ambition for the U.S. space program and a spirit of perseverance.
  10. “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.”
    • A powerful reminder that individuals have the potential to effect meaningful change, encouraging personal responsibility and action.

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