John F. Kennedy Quotes About Tradition

• The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it.

  John F. Kennedy

  Long Ago, People, Secret

  Address to the American Newspaper Publishers, delivered 27 April 1961, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York

• 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.

  John F. Kennedy

  Survival, President, Needs

  Address to the American Newspaper Publishers, delivered 27 April 1961, Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York

• I want to emphasize in the great concentration which we now place upon scientists and engineers how much we still need the men and women educated in the liberal tradition, willing to take the long look, undisturbed by prejudices and slogans of the moment, who attempt to make an honest judgment on difficult events.

  John F. Kennedy

  Education, Truth, Honesty

• Philanthropy, charity, giving voluntarily and freely... call it what you like, but it is truly a jewel of an American tradition.

  John F. Kennedy

  Jewels, Giving, Charity

• It is in the American tradition to stand up for one's rights--even if the new way to stand up for one's rights is to sit down.

  John F. Kennedy

  Rights, Way, Tradition

• The very word 'secrecy' is repugnant in a free and open society. ... There is little value in ensuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it.

  John F. Kennedy

  Survival, Littles, Tradition

• If you look throughout human history ... the central epiphany of every religious tradition always occurs in the wilderness.

  John F. Kennedy

  Religious, Looks, Wilderness

• All over the world, particularly in the newer nations, young men are coming to power--men who are not bound by the traditions of the past--men who are not blinded by the old fears and hates and rivalries-- young men who can cast off the old slogans and delusions and suspicions.

  John F. Kennedy

  Hate, Past, Men

  Democratic National Convention Nomination Acceptance Address, delivered 15 July 1960, Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

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