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Quote by John F. Kennedy

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Profiles in Courage: Deluxe Modern Classic

This book is a compilation of biographical sketches that celebrate the bravery and moral fortitude of prominent political leaders throughout history. more

Author

John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 to 1963. His presidency was marked by the Civil Rights Act, the New Frontier policy, and the intense Cold War confrontation with the Soviet Union. Kennedy was known for his youthful charm and charisma, but his assassination during his term shocked the world. more

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“I ask that you offer to the political arena, and to the critical problems of our society which are decided therein, the benefit of the talents which society has helped to develop in you. I ask you to decide, as Goethe put it, whether you will be an anvilor a hammer. The question is whether you are to be a hammerwhether you are to give to the world in which you were reared and educated the broadest possible benefits of that education.”

“This increase in the life span and in the number of our senior citizens presents this Nation with increased opportunities: the opportunity to draw upon their skill and sagacityand the opportunity to provide the respect and recognition they have earned. It is not enough for a great nation merely to have added new years to lifeour objective must also be to add new life to those years.”

“According to the ancient Chinese proverb, A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

“Dont teach my boy poetry, an English mother recently wrote the Provost of Harrow. Dont teach my boy poetry; he is going to stand for Parliament. Well, perhaps she was rightbut if more politicians knew poetry, and more poets knew politics, I am convinced the world would be a little better place to live on this Commencement Day of 1956.”

“Lobbyists are in many cases expert technicians and capable of explaining complex and difficult subjects in a clear, understandable fashion. They engage in personal discussions with Members of Congress in which they can explain in detail the reasons for positions they advocate. Because our congressional representation is based on geographical boundaries, the lobbyists who speak for the various economic, commercial, and other functional interests of this country serve a very useful purpose and have assumed an important role in the legislative process.”