That is the question of the New Frontier. That is the choice our nation must make—a choice that lies not merely between two men or two parties but between the public interest and private comfort—between national greatness and national decline—between the fresh air of progress and the stale, dank atmosphere of 'normalcy'—between determined dedication and creeping mediocrity. All mankind waits upon our decision. A whole world looks to see what we will do. We cannot fail their trust; we cannot fail to try.

More quotes by John F. Kennedy

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"Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

- John F. Kennedy

Responsibility

"Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."

- John F. Kennedy

Leadership

"Victory has a hundred fathers and defeat is an orphan."

- John F. Kennedy

Leadership

"Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past and present are certain to miss the future"

- John F. Kennedy

Change

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."

- John F. Kennedy

Change

More Ambition Quotes

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"What a wonderful time to be young! You have knowledge of many more things than we needed to have. It is my conviction that your generation is better and stronger than was ours — better in many ways! I have faith that you young men and young women can meet the world on its own terms and conquer it!"

- President Boyd K. Packer

Ambition

"Stay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions. Small minds will always do that, but great minds will give you a feeling that you can become great too."

- Mark Twain

Ambition

"Don’t bunt. Aim out of the ballpark. Aim for the company of immortals."

- David Ogilvy

Ambition

"No one changes the world who isn’t obsessed."

- Billie Jean King

Ambition

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."

- Michael Jordan

Ambition