Kennedy. Theodore C. Sorenson. Significant Sentences. Continued.

Significant sentences from Kennedy by Theodore Sorenson, a history of the words and philosophy of President Kennedy. Continued.

Sorenson: "His administration had made clear that this country is not officially Catholic, Protestant or even Christian, but a democratic republic in which neither religion in general nor any church in particular can be either established or curbed by public act." p. 408.

Sorenson: "John F. Kennedy was a happy president." p. 410.

Sorenson: " 'Happiness,' he often said, paraphrasing Aristotle, 'is the full use of one's faculties along lines of excellence,' and to him the Presidency offered the ideal opportunity to pursue excellence." p. 410.

JFK: [The Presidency] "...represents a chance to exercise your judgment on matters of importance." p. 411.

Sorenson: "He still took his problems seriously but never himself." p. 414.

Sorenson: "He assumed that we all would have to live indefinitely with national and international tensions and imperfect humans and solutions and he was blessed with qualities which helped him to prepare to make the best of it." p. 415.

Sorenson: "He never self-consciously thought of himself as 'courageous,' but he lived by the Hemingway definition with which he had opened Profiles in Courage: 'grace under pressure.' " p. 415.

Sorenson: "He kept his own comments to a minimum and often cut short others, no matter how important or friendly, who were dealing with generalities or repeating the obvious." p. 417.

Sorenson: "...remarkable ability to absorb detail while keeping in view the larger picture." p. 417.

Sorenson: "When he was not working, he and Jacqueline liked having people around who were cheerful, amusing, energetic, informed and informal." p. 424.

JFK: "The quality of American life...must keep pace with the quantity of American goods." p. 430.

JFK: "This country cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor." p. 430.