Considered one of the most popular and influential American leaders in history, John Fitzgerald Kennedy's contributions to the world range from keeping Richard Nixon out of the White House in the 1960 elections to preventing of nuclear war; championing economic development; and, supporting the civil rights movement and gender equality.

His accomplishments validate the place he holds in the annals of modern history. He was not only America’s cornerstone in times of turmoil but also someone the country could rely on to bring about peace, progress, and prosperity to all. JFK was perhaps one of the few presidents that managed to truly embody America’s character, for he constantly sought peace and understood that America’s true strength comes from within –not from the privilege of a few, but from the empowerment of all regardless of gender or race.

Lee Harvey Oswald ended John F. Kennedy’s life almost 54 years ago in Dallas, Texas. He was nonetheless unable to end his ideas or legacy.

Here are some of John F. Kennedy’s greatest quotes:

“Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.”

It all comes down to the principle of the risk-return trade-off. The higher the risk of your investment, the greater your return. Be willing to go out of your comfort zone!

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”

Life is constant change. No plan is ever executed without modifications or adjustments along the way. While the past and present are important, a forward-thinking mindset will always be advantageous.

“Once you say you’re going to settle for second, that’s what happens to you in life.”

Make sure to think like a winner. Do not settle for second bests.

"We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."

It is easy to articulate opinions on something. It is however painful to confront them with others' thoughts and having to reformulate your own. But hey, the truth is only found through the constant confrontations of ideas.

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”

Anticipate adversity, do not postpone problem-solving to the time when you’re put to test.

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”

Generate synergy between your goals and efforts, your strength and time are valuable. Trying hard without an objective in mind is pointless.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”

Live by your word for it hardly recovers its value once it depreciates and it readily gains value when kept. After all, actions are and will always be more powerful than words.

“We sometimes chafe at the burden of our obligations, the complexity of our decisions, the agony of our choices. But there is no comfort or security for us in evasion, no solution in abdication, no relief in irresponsibility.”

Do not procrastinate. Do not elude day-to-day problems. Face obstacles with grit and own your decisions.

The most visible aspect of a leader's life is his or her accomplishments, for the ripples that their doings generate in time are an extension of their life and work. Often times, an idealized version of who the leader was, ultimately, outlives the individual. The ideas that underly these quotes convey a more insightful and human perspective of who JFK truly was as well as of his legacy.

They shed light on the foundations that built the man's exemplary character and his oftentimes misunderstood human side while revealing the lens through which he understood the world.