JFK

Now the trumpet summons us again -- not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need -- not as a call to battle, though embattled we are -- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" -- a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty and war itself.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, and all forms of human life.

People have not been horrified by war to a sufficient extent ... War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige as the warrior does today.

Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.

In the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding on the back of the tiger ended up inside.

Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. And however undramatic the pursuit of peace, the pursuit must go on.

Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind.

History is a relentless master. It has no present, only the past rushing into the future. To try to hold fast is to be swept aside.

I'm an idealist without illusions.

Liberty without learning is always in peril; learning without liberty is always in vain.

The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.

The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence.

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

We stand for freedom. That is our conviction for ourselves; that is our only commitment to others.

John F. Kennedy