Who said “We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt…”?

Verified

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

SourceInaugural Address

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.”
VerifiedInaugural Address · evidenceArms Race
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Inaugural Address.

APA

Kennedy, J. F. (n.d.). We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7109-we-dare-not-tempt-them-with-weakness-for/

MLA

Kennedy, John F. “We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7109-we-dare-not-tempt-them-with-weakness-for/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Kennedy, John F. “We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/7109-we-dare-not-tempt-them-with-weakness-for/.