Who said “A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to…”?

Verified

John F. Kennedy. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourcePresident JOHN F. KENNEDY, statement on the need for training or rehabilitation of Selective Service rejectees" (30 September 1963); also: John F. Kennedy: "Statement by the President on the Need for Training or Rehabilitation of Selective Service Rejectees" (30 September 1963)

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“A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living.”
— John F. Kennedy
VerifiedPresident JOHN F. KENNEDY, statement on the need for training or rehabilitation of Selective Service rejectees" (30 September 1963); also: John F. Kennedy: "Statement by the President on the Need for Training or Rehabilitation of Selective Service Rejectees" (30 September 1963) · evidenceDraft

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: President JOHN F. KENNEDY, statement on the need for training or rehabilitation of Selective Service rejectees" (30 September 1963); also: John F. Kennedy: "Statement by the President on the Need for Training or Rehabilitation of Selective Service Rejectees" (30 September 1963).

APA

Kennedy, J. F. (n.d.). A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13774-a-young-man-who-does-not-have-what/

MLA

Kennedy, John F. “A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13774-a-young-man-who-does-not-have-what/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Kennedy, John F. “A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13774-a-young-man-who-does-not-have-what/.

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“The margin is narrow, but the responsibility is clear.”
VerifiedJohn F. Kennedy, press conference (November 10, 1963). Transcript, The New York Times (November 11, 1963), p. 20. In Theodore Sorensen's Kennedy (1965), these words are followed by "There may be difficulties with the Congress, but a margin of only one vote would still be a mandate" (p. 219). · evidenceDetails & citeVoting
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