Who said “Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.”?

Disputed

It's credited to John F. Kennedy, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for John F. Kennedy.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

APA

“Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.” [Quotation attributed to John F. Kennedy]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14467-forgive-your-enemies-but-never-forget-their-names/

MLA

“Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.” Attributed to John F. Kennedy. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14467-forgive-your-enemies-but-never-forget-their-names/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.” Attributed to John F. Kennedy. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14467-forgive-your-enemies-but-never-forget-their-names/.

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