John F. Kennedy: Cost & Risk

Meaning of John F. Kennedy Money Quote: saying Both action and inaction have their costs – Inaction tends to cost the most. John F. Kennedy said:
 

 

“There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long range risks and costs of comfortable inaction” — John F. Kennedy

In this quote, John F. Kennedy is arguing that while taking action to address problems involves short-term costs and risks, failing to act poses even greater long-term costs and risks. By referring to the dangers of “comfortable inaction”, Kennedy suggests that avoiding difficult decisions or reforms for the sake of present ease and convenience will often lead to much larger problems down the road.

The quote conveys Kennedy’s view that proactive leadership requires weighing both the costs of intervening versus the costs of non-intervention, and that in many cases inaction will prove to be the more financially and socially damaging choice over time in spite of initial reluctance.

Overall, JFK is advocating for a balanced and prudent approach that does not dismiss bold steps simply because they come with challenges or uncertainty, if the consequences of stagnation are likely to be worse in the long run.

Birthday: May 29, 1917 – Death: November 22, 1963

John F. Kennedy: Unemployed Work

John F. Kennedy Money Quote saying high unemployment can be diminished by focusing on the larger number of employed. John F. Kennedy said:
 

 

“When you have seven percent unemployed, you have ninety-three percent working” — John F. Kennedy

In this quote, John F. Kennedy is trying to put a positive spin on the unemployment rate by focusing on the large percentage of people who are employed rather than those who are not.

At the time this quote was given, the US unemployment rate was around 7%. Rather than dwelling on that figure, JFK highlighted the “93 percent working” to emphasize how most Americans did have jobs, even if some were still struggling to find work.

The quote conveys Kennedy’s aim to reassure the public by framing the data in a glass-half-full manner. It shows his leadership approach of addressing economic challenges forthrightly but also maintaining optimism by drawing attention to underlying strengths in the workforce rather than just areas of weakness.

Birthday: May 29, 1917 – Death: November 22, 1963

John F. Kennedy: Society Help the Poor

John F. Kennedy Money Quote saying we should be able to help those in poverty in our country or there is no way we can save the wealthy. John F. Kennedy said:
 

 

“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich” — John F. Kennedy

In this quote, John F. Kennedy is expressing the view that a truly free and just society depends on helping its most vulnerable members. By stating that such a society “cannot save the few who are rich” if it “cannot help the many who are poor”, Kennedy implies that the long-term stability and prosperity of any community relies on ensuring basic economic security and opportunity are broadly shared.

The quote conveys Kennedy’s belief that extreme inequality and lack of support for the disadvantaged threaten the freedom and success even of the most affluent. Overall, JFK seems to be arguing that no one’s liberty or wealth can remain protected for long in a system that does not also work to empower and lift up those in poverty through equitable public policies and economic structures.

Birthday: May 29, 1917 – Death: November 22, 1963

John F. Kennedy: Buy Only Necessary Votes

John F. Kennedy Money Quote saying in jest that his father wanted to get his money’s worth in buying an election and didn’t want him to waste any on public perception. John F. Kennedy said:
 

 

“I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; Dear Jack, Don’t buy a single vote more than is necessary. I’ll be damned if I’m going to pay for a landslide” — John F. Kennedy

In this quote, John F. Kennedy is humorously recounting advice his father, Joseph Kennedy, gave him regarding an election. By saying “don’t buy a single vote more than is necessary”, JFK’s father is telling him to only spend as much money as needed on campaigning and getting votes, rather than trying to achieve an overwhelming landslide victory.

The elder Kennedy follows this up by joking that he doesn’t want to “pay for a landslide”, implying he doesn’t want to waste campaign funds on getting more votes than actually required to win.

Overall, this quote shows the Kennedys’ recognition of how money could influence electoral outcomes, as well as their pragmatic approach of focusing resources only on securing the minimum number of votes rather than seeking a huge margin of victory. It provides an amusing glimpse into the candid advice a father might give his son running for office.

Birthday: May 29, 1917 – Death: November 22, 1963

John F. Kennedy: Office Close, Pay is Good

John F. Kennedy Money Quote saying the perks of the job of U.S. President are significant and he appreciated them. JFK said:
 

 

“I have a nice home, the office is close by, and the pay is good” — John F. Kennedy

In this quote, John F. Kennedy appears to be humorously downplaying or understating the prestige and responsibilities of being the President of the United States.

By describing some of the perks of the job in simple terms like having a “nice home” (the White House), an office that is “close by” to where he lives and works, and pay that is “good” (the presidential salary), Kennedy seems to be jokingly portraying the presidency in an almost mundane light.

The lighthearted tone suggests he aims to convey that while the job does come with certain privileges, it also entails enormous challenges and global consequences that extend far beyond basic comforts.

Overall, the quote shows JFK’s ability to poke fun at himself and add some levity to discussions about the momentous role he held as president through this tongue-in-cheek understatement.

Birthday: May 29, 1917 – Death: November 22, 1963

John F. Kennedy on Using Wealth

John F. Kennedy Money Quotation saying wealth for it’s own sake is pointless if not used to better the country and the people. John F. Kennedy said:
 

 

“All our material riches will avail us little if we do not use them to expand the opportunities of our people” — John F. Kennedy

In this quote, John F. Kennedy is expressing the view that a nation’s true wealth and success cannot be defined solely by material or economic measures like GDP. He argues that even an abundance of resources and riches will ultimately mean little if they are not leveraged to help expand the opportunities available to all citizens through investments in people.

By referring to “expanding opportunities”, JFK seems to be advocating for policies that foster greater education, job prospects, social mobility and access to a high quality of life for the entire population. The quote conveys Kennedy’s belief that a society only realizes its full potential when the door is opened as widely as possible for every person to achieve their dreams and contribute their talents.

Birthday May 29, 1917 – Died (Assassinated) November 22, 1963