--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Freedom has many difficulties and…" description: "\"Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in.\" — John F. Kennedy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/john-f-kennedy-246_democracy_freedom-has-many-difficulties-and-democr_688512.jpg" --- # Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not… ![“Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in.” quote by John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/john-f-kennedy-246_democracy_freedom-has-many-difficulties-and-democr_688512.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/john-f-kennedy-246_democracy_freedom-has-many-difficulties-and-democr_688512.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b64/john-f-kennedy-246_democracy_freedom-has-many-difficulties-and-democr_688512.jpg) > “Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in.” [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Democracy is imperfect but preferable to oppression; we must protect freedom without building walls. **In simple terms:** Democracy isn’t perfect, but better than imprisoning people. Key Takeaway Defend freedom, avoid isolationism. Themes freedom democracy political responsibility Mood reflective serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy debates - international relations - citizen activism - education curricula Key Concepts civil liberties governance human rights Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards prevent democracy from failing? - How do we address dissent without walls? A Different Perspective Balancing security and liberty is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Wall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wall/) ## Related quotes > [Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect. But we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/freedom-has-many-difficulties-and-democracy-is-not-perfect-but-we-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Democracy is not perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gonzalo-sanchez-de-lozada/democracy-is-not-perfect/) [Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gonzalo-sanchez-de-lozada/) > [I've always tried to explain democracy is not perfect. But it gives you a chance to shape your own destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aung-san-suu-kyi/i-ve-always-tried-to-explain-democracy-is-not-perfect-but-it-gives/) [Aung San Suu Kyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aung-san-suu-kyi/) > [Democracy may not be perfect, but at least I don't have to build a wall to keep my people in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/democracy-may-not-be-perfect-but-at-least-i-don-t-have-to-build-a/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [What's the purpose of living in a loft if you put up walls?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naeem-khan/what-s-the-purpose-of-living-in-a-loft-if-you-put-up-walls/) Naeem Khan > [And some small gnarled place inside me hated her for her weakness, for her neglect, for the months she had put us through. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/and-some-small-gnarled-place-inside-me-hated-her-for-her-weakness-for/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Nobody intends to put up a wall!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-ulbricht/nobody-intends-to-put-up-a-wall/) [Walter Ulbricht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-ulbricht/) > [Many of us are frightened to look within ourselves, and fear has us put up walls so thick we no longer remember who we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/many-of-us-are-frightened-to-look-within-ourselves-and-fear-has-us/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [Treat your business relationships like friendships (or potential friendships). Formality puts up walls, and walls don't foster good business relationships. No one is loyal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-pavlina/treat-your-business-relationships-like-friendships-or-potential/) [Steve Pavlina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-pavlina/) > [The Holy Spirit showed me that when I put up walls to keep others out I also wall myself into solitary place of confinement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/the-holy-spirit-showed-me-that-when-i-put-up-walls-to-keep-others-out/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [“Mobocracy in democracy is a perfect ochlocracy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anyaele-sam-chiyson/mobocracy-in-democracy-is-a-perfect-ochlocracy/) Anyaele Sam Chiyson > [Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. 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So let us not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/peace-does-not-rest-in-the-charters-and-covenants-alone-it-lies-in/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) [Explore all 824 John F. Kennedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) ## More Democracy quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. 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But right now, as of October 17, 2014, the Republican Senate candidates…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-continetti/there-is-plenty-of-time-for-republicans-to-have-a-macaca-moment-but/) [Matthew Continetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-continetti/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. 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