John F. Kennedy
There is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment.Collection: Survival
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 burdensCollection: Country
Whether I serve one or two terms in the Presidency, I will find myself at the end of that period at what might be called the awkward age-too old to begin a new career and too young to write my memoirs.Collection: Writing
When things don't go well they like to blame presidents; and that's something that presidents are paid for.Collection: President
Now let me make it clear that I believe there can only be one defense policy for the United States and that is summed up in the word 'first.' I do not mean first, but. I do not mean first, when. I do not mean first, if. I mean first - period.Collection: Believe
I speak of peace, therefore, as the necessary rational end of rational men. I realize the pursuit of peace is not as dramatic as the pursuit of war... But we have no more urgent task.Collection: Peace
Will Rogers once said it is not the original investment in a Congressman that counts; it is the upkeep.Collection: Political
The United States, as the world knows, will never start a war. We do not want a war. We do not now expect a war. This generation of Americans has already had enough - more than enough - of war and hate and oppression. We shall be prepared if others wish it. We shall be alert to try to stop it. But we shall also do our part to build a world of peace where the weak are safe and the strong are just. We are not helpless before that task or hopeless of its success. Confident and unafraid, we labor on - not toward a strategy of annihilation but toward a strategy of peace.Collection: Strong
If the economy of today were operating close to capacity levels with little unemployment, or if a sudden change in our military requirements should cause a scramble for men and resources, then I would oppose tax reductions as irresponsible and inflationary; and I would not hesitate to recommend a tax increase if that were necessary.Collection: Military
An across-the-board, top-to-bottom cut in personal and corporate income taxes ... to expand the incentives and opportunities of private expenditures.Collection: Cutting
A life of complete leisure is the hardest work of all.Collection: Leisure
I believe in an America ... where no public official either requests or accepts instructions on public policy from the Pope, the National Council of Churches, or any other ecclesiastical source.Collection: Believe
Easy money, sudden fortunes, increasingly powerful political machines and blatant corruption transformed much of the nation; and the Senate, as befits a democratic legislative body, accurately represented the nation.Collection: Powerful
When you have seven percent unemployed, you have ninety-three percent working.Collection: Positive
If you look throughout human history ... the central epiphany of every religious tradition always occurs in the wilderness.Collection: Religious
[War] can no longer be of concern to great powers alone.Collection: Peace
While they came from a variety of religious backgrounds and held a wide variety of religious beliefs, each of our presidents in his own way has placed a special trust in God.Collection: Religious
Every president has taken comfort and courage when told...that the Lord "will be with thee. He will not fail thee nor forsake thee. Fear not-neither be thou dismayed."Collection: Taken
Student loans have been helpful to many. But they offer neither incentive nor assistance to those students who, by reason of family or other obligations, are unable or unwilling to go deeper into debt. ... It is, moreover, only prudent economic and social policy for the public to share part of the costs of the long period of higher education for those whose development is essential to our national economic and social well-being. All of us share in the benefits - all should share in the costs.Collection: Education
The science of weapons and war has made us all one world and one human race with one common destiny.Collection: War
A Canadian newspaperman said yesterday that this is the President's "Easter egghead roll on the White House lawn." I want to deny that!Collection: Easter
This country was founded by men and women who were dedicated or came to be dedicated to two propositions; first, a strong religious conviction, and secondly a recognition that this conviction could flourish only under a system of freedom.Collection: Country
In America there must be only citizens, not divided by grade, first and second, but citizens, east, west, north, and south.Collection: America
Our privileges can be no greater than our obligations. The protection of our rights can endure no longer than the performance of our responsibilities.Collection: Responsibility
Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.Collection: Children
We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.Collection: Ocean
Most cities are nouns. New York’s a verb.Collection: New York
I know there is a God – I see the storm coming and I see his hand in it – if he has a place then I am ready – we see the hand.Collection: Patriotic
When we got into office, the thing that surprised me most was to find that things were just as bad as we’d been saying they were.Collection: Justice
Real men stay faithful. They don’t have time to look for other women because they’re too busy looking for new ways to love their own.Collection: Real
A country is as strong, really, as its citizens. And I think that mental and physical health – mental and physical vigor – go hand in hand.Collection: Country
For I can assure you that we love our country, not for what it was, though it has always been great – not for what it is, though of this we are deeply proud – but for what it someday can, and, through the efforts of us all, someday will be.Collection: Country
Since the time of the ancient Greeks, we have felt that there was a close relationship between a strong vital mind and physical fitness.Collection: Strong
Remember that our nation’s first great leaders were also our first great scholars.Collection: Firsts
I look forward to a great future for America – a future in which our country will match its military strength with our moral restraint, its wealth with our wisdom, its power with our purpose.Collection: Country
I would encourage every American to walk as often as possible. It’s more than healthy; it’s fun.Collection: Fun
In giving rights to others which belong to them, we give rights to ourselves and to our country.Collection: Country
It’s only when they join together in a forward movement that this country moves ahead...Collection: Country