Cities Quote by John F. Kennedy
“First, what does truth require? It requires us to face the facts as they are, not to involve ourselves in self-deception; to refuse to think merely in slogans. If we are to work for the future of the city, let us deal with the realities as they actually are, not as they might have been, and not as we wish they were.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Inaugural Address, John F. Kennedy, 1961
Truth demands confronting reality without self‑deception or slogans, especially when planning a city’s future.
In simple terms: Face facts, avoid self‑deception.
Key Takeaway
Embrace reality in planning.
Themes
honesty
urban planning
politics
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- city governance
- policy making
- public communication
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
reality testing
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you ensure decisions are based on facts?
- What slogans hinder honest assessment?
A Different Perspective
Truth can be uncomfortable and may clash with popular narratives.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
