The Courage of a President: JFK’s Invocation of Ancient Wisdom
Origins and Historical Context of Courage
John F. Kennedy drew profound inspiration from the quote “Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed,” though these words originate from the Book of Joshua in the Bible, specifically Joshua 1:9. Throughout his presidency, Kennedy invoked this ancient wisdom repeatedly, particularly during moments of national crisis. He internalized and channeled it through his own rhetoric, making it emblematic of his leadership approach during the tumultuous early 1960s. Kennedy drew upon this sentiment during some of America’s most perilous moments: the Cuban Missile Crisis, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the early escalation in Vietnam. For Kennedy, these biblical words represented not merely religious comfort but a practical philosophy of action in the face of existential threat.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s biography fundamentally shaped his relationship with courage. Born into one of America’s wealthiest and most politically connected families in 1917, Kennedy might have seemed insulated from hardship. Yet his life was marked by persistent physical suffering that the public largely did not know about during his presidency. From childhood, Kennedy battled Addison’s disease, a serious autoimmune disorder affecting the adrenal glands. Chronic back pain so severe confined him to bed for extended periods. He also suffered from colitis and numerous other ailments. His personal physician, Dr. Janet Travell, managed these conditions with a cocktail of medications. Most Americans who voted for Kennedy in 1960 were unaware of the extent of his physical infirmities. This makes his emphasis on courage and strength all the more resonant—he was literally embodying the very virtue he asked of his nation.
Be Strong and of Good Courage Today
Kennedy faced uniquely demanding circumstances when he invoked this biblical exhortation. He assumed office on January 20, 1961, as the Cold War reached a dangerous inflection point. The Soviet Union had launched Sputnik, seemingly winning the space race. Communist expansion threatened in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address in frigid conditions to an enormous crowd.
He struck the famous note that Americans should “ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” This statement echoed the same spirit of mutual responsibility and sacrifice as the courage he demanded. Just three months into his presidency, the Bay of Pigs invasion—a CIA-backed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro in Cuba—ended in humiliating failure. Kennedy was forced to confront the complexities of power and the limits of American might. Rather than retreat into isolationism or panic, he doubled down on his philosophy of facing challenges directly and with determination.
The Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962 represents perhaps the closest Kennedy came to embodying the exhortation to “be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed.” The world teetered on the brink of nuclear annihilation during this period. American reconnaissance discovered Soviet missiles being installed in Cuba, just 90 miles from American shores. Kennedy faced an unprecedented dilemma: launch a preemptive strike and risk global thermonuclear war, or attempt diplomacy while appearing weak. For thirteen days, the world held its breath. Kennedy and his advisors—the so-called ExComm group—debated options carefully.
Kennedy’s famous calm demeanor during this period reflected someone genuinely attempting to embody strength without recklessness. He refused to panic despite the enormity of the stakes. His ultimate choice of a naval blockade and diplomatic negotiation demonstrated wisdom under pressure. He spoke to the nation from the Oval Office with measured, resolute tones. He called Americans to steadiness even as the possibility of nuclear exchange seemed tangible.
Impact of This Timeless Message Now
Kennedy’s intellectual voraciousness and capacity for self-reflection illuminated his relationship with courage. He was an avid reader—biographies, history, and military strategy were particular interests. Kennedy learned from failure with remarkable speed. After the Bay of Pigs debacle, rather than double down on similar ventures, he recalibrated his approach to foreign policy. He read extensively about military history and sought counsel from experienced figures. His famous book “Profiles in Courage,” published in 1957 before his presidency, examined historical figures who had made difficult decisions in face of opposition. The book itself was somewhat controversial—Ted Sorensen, his speechwriter, ghost-wrote much of it—but it revealed Kennedy’s fascination with moral courage. It showed his willingness to make unpopular choices in service of principle. This intellectual framework provided the philosophical scaffolding for his public invocations of courage.
The cultural moment and Kennedy’s own persona amplified the quote’s resonance during his time. The early 1960s mixed optimism with existential dread. Kennedy championed the space program enthusiastically, offering an almost romantic outlet for American ambition and courage. He boldly declared that America would land a man on the moon before the decade’s end. Yet simultaneously, the threat of nuclear annihilation hung over everything. In this context, Kennedy’s call to courage drew on ancient biblical language. This language connected him to centuries of human struggle and provided spiritual ballast. Americans weren’t being asked to be reckless but to face reality with eyes open and determination intact. The quote circulated in newspapers, was referenced in sermons, and became part of the cultural fabric.