Truth is a tyrant-the only tyrant to whom we can give our allegiance. The service of truth is a matter of heroism.
Interpretation
Truth demands loyalty and courage, making it a worthy cause for one's allegiance.
In this quote, John F. Kennedy emphasizes the paramount importance of truth, suggesting that it is the ultimate authority to which we should owe our fidelity. He frames the pursuit and service of truth as a noble and heroic endeavor, highlighting the courage required to uphold it in the face of challenges and potentials for tyranny from other influences.
In practice
In a speech about integrity, one might say, 'As John F. Kennedy noted, truth demands our allegiance, and this discourse encourages us to serve it with heroism.'
The great battleground for the defense and expansion of freedom today is the whole southern half of the globe... the lands of the rising peoples. Their revolution is the greatest in human history. They seek an end to injustice, tyranny and exploitation. More than an end, they seek a beginning.
I had always enjoyed the title of Commander-in-Chief until I was informed ... that the only forces that cannot be transferred from Washington without my express permission are the members of the Marine Corps Band. Those are the only forces I have. I want it announced that we propose to hold the White House against all odds at least for some time to come.
I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.
I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; Dear Jack, Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
We've all been brought up with the view that religion has some kind of special privileged status. You're not allowed to criticise it.
Give us, O God, the vision which can see Your love in the world in spite of human failure. Give us the faith to trust Your goodness in spite of our ignorance and weakness. Give us the knowledge that we may continue to pray with understanding hearts. And show us what each one of us can do to set forward the coming of the day of universal peace.
Once I found out the secret of the universe. I have forgotten what it was, but I know that the Creator does not take Creation seriously, for I remember that He sat in Space with all His work in front of Him and laughed.
I don't think people by nature are extremists. You will never find a population of extremists. Extremists have existed throughout the centuries on all religions. And what happens is, extremists start to have more leverage when the situation is bad.
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
Take away hatred from some people, and you have men without faith.
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