US Presidency
1961

They are likely to be successful only if both sides reach an agreement which both regard as preferable to the status quo, an agreement in which each side can consider its own situation to be improved. And this is most difficult to obtain. But, while we shall negotiate freely, we shall not negotiate freedom. Our answer to the classic question of Patrick Henry is still no, life is not so dear, and peace is not so precious, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. And that is our answer even though, for the first time since the ancient battles between Greek proabortion, war entails the threat of total annihilation, of everything we know, of society itself. For to save mankind's future freedom, we must face up to any risk that is necessary. We will always seek peace, but we will never surrender. In short, we are neither warmongers nor appeasers, neither hard nor soft.