Rose Kennedy Quotes

Powerful Rose Kennedy for Daily Growth

About Rose Kennedy

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, born on August 22, 1890, in Brookline, Massachusetts, was an influential figure in American politics as the matriarch of the Kennedy family. She was the wife of Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., the father of John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, and the grandmother of several other notable figures in U.S. politics. Rose grew up in a politically active family herself, the eldest daughter of Patrick Joseph "Paddy" Fitzgerald, a Boston ward boss, and Rose Hickey. She was educated at private schools and developed a strong Catholic faith, which played a significant role in her life and the lives of her children. In 1914, she married Joseph Kennedy Sr., launching her into a world of wealth and political connections. Despite their lavish lifestyle, Rose dedicated much of her time to charity work and volunteering. She founded the Catholic Guild of St. Margaret in Boston, which provided aid to immigrants and the poor. Rose Kennedy's life was marked by tragedy, with several of her children suffering from health issues and nine miscarriages or stillbirths. Yet, she remained resilient, instilling in her children a sense of duty, public service, and empathy for the less fortunate. Her major works include her memoirs, "Times to Remember" and "The Whole Family: A Memoir," which offer insights into her life, her family's history, and the values she instilled in her children. Despite not being a professional author, Rose Kennedy's words continue to inspire, offering a unique perspective on political life, family, and faith. She passed away on January 22, 1995, at the age of 104. Her legacy as a strong, influential woman continues to resonate in American politics today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more things a man is afraid to take a stand on, the more noncommittal symbols he will be."

This quote by Rose Kennedy suggests that individuals who are unwilling or fearful to express firm opinions or take strong stances on important issues often resort to using vague or generic symbols instead of concrete beliefs. In other words, when one lacks the courage to stand for something, they may appear indecisive or noncommittal, relying more on symbolic representations rather than substantial convictions.


"Life is very interesting in that if you approach it without preconceived ideas it continues to throw up the most extraordinary things at you."

This quote by Rose Kennedy emphasizes the importance of an open mind and a willingness to learn in life. By approaching experiences, people, and situations without preconceived notions or expectations, one is more receptive to new ideas, experiences, and opportunities that may arise unexpectedly. Life, in this sense, becomes a continuous source of fascination, as it offers the most extraordinary events when we are open to them. This mindset encourages growth, resilience, and adaptability, making life's journey more enriching and rewarding.


"When you're growing up, you think your mother is superman. She can do anything. But when you grow up, you realize that actually she's just a woman after all."

This quote suggests that as children, we often idolize our mothers, viewing them as invincible and capable of achieving anything. However, as we mature, we begin to understand that our mothers are human beings, with their own limitations and vulnerabilities. It's a poignant reminder of the journey from childhood admiration to adult understanding, where we come to appreciate our mothers for who they truly are - women who juggle numerous responsibilities, yet remain resilient in the face of challenges.


"The truth is like a sore tooth; pull it out quickly."

This quote by Rose Kennedy emphasizes the importance of confronting difficult or uncomfortable truths head-on, rather than avoiding them. Just as a troubling tooth needs prompt attention to prevent further pain and complications, addressing the truth promptly can help alleviate potential problems and lead to healing and growth. In other words, facing hard truths may be initially painful but ultimately beneficial in the long run.


"We must try to conform to the world as it is, not as we wish it to be."

This quote by Rose Kennedy emphasizes the importance of adapting to reality instead of living in an idealized version of it. It suggests that it's crucial to understand and accommodate the current circumstances, rather than expecting the world to change according to our personal desires or wishes. In essence, it encourages resilience, patience, and adaptability in the face of life's challenges.


It has been said that time heals all wounds. I don't agree. The wounds remain. Time - the mind, protecting its sanity - covers them with some scar tissue and the pain lessens, but it is never gone.

- Rose Kennedy

Mind, Some, Protecting, Heals

Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?

- Rose Kennedy

Nature, Storm, Why, Remains

As motherhood is the greatest and most natural God-given gift for women for posterity, it would seem that the birth and rearing of children, in the way which to us seems most ideal, would be the most satisfying and the most rewarding career for a woman.

- Rose Kennedy

Gift, Rewarding, Which, Motherhood

Prosperity tries the fortunate, adversity the great.

- Rose Kennedy

Adversity, Brainy, Tries, Fortunate

Now I am in my eighties, and I have known the joys and sorrows of a full life. Age, however, has its privileges. One is to reminisce, and another is to reminisce selectively.

- Rose Kennedy

Another, However, Privileges, Joys

Sometimes I wonder if there is something about my family which invites violence. 'Is it envy,' you ask? I don't know... I've had so much, a son as president, two as senators, a son-in-law who's an ambassador... perhaps God doesn't permit that much.

- Rose Kennedy

Envy, Sometimes, About, Ambassador

I do not like candid pictures. They are so unattractive.

- Rose Kennedy

Candid, Pictures, Like, Unattractive

In my relations with my husband, there was never any deceit... he never said he was going out on business; he would say he was going to a show, and I would say, 'Fine.'

- Rose Kennedy

Business, Going, Show, Relations

Sometimes a mother finds in her midst a handicapped child, one child who is abnormal mentally or physically. Then, a whole new set of baffling difficulties presents themselves, and then fervently she prays and how diligently she searches every avenue to find an answer to that child's problems.

- Rose Kennedy

Sometimes, Diligently, Whole, Fervently

What greater aspiration and challenge are there for a mother than the hope of raising a great son or daughter?

- Rose Kennedy

Mother, Mom, Raising, Aspiration

I'm like old wine. They don't bring me out very often - but I'm well preserved.

- Rose Kennedy

Funny, Like, Very, Wine

I looked on child rearing not only as a work of love and duty but as a profession that was fully as interesting and challenging as any honorable profession in the world and one that demanded the best that I could bring to it.

- Rose Kennedy

Love, Profession, Looked, Fully

My husband changed jobs so fast that I simply never knew what business he was in.

- Rose Kennedy

Work, Fast, Never, Changed

My father had extravagant notions of my beauty, grace, wit, and charm.

- Rose Kennedy

Beauty, Charm, Wit, Extravagant

To my mind, there was no one in the world like my father. Wherever he was, there was magic in the air.

- Rose Kennedy

Mind, Magic, World, Wherever

My father was a great innovator in public life, but when it came to raising his daughters, no one could have been more conservative.

- Rose Kennedy

Conservative, Been, Raising, Innovator

I have come to the conclusion that the most important element in human life is faith.

- Rose Kennedy

Faith, Conclusion, Most, Element

Neither comprehension nor learning can take place in an atmosphere of anxiety.

- Rose Kennedy

Learning, Atmosphere, Nor, Comprehension

Modern candidates seem to have to live with political matters all the time. In my father's time, a politician's home was still his castle.

- Rose Kennedy

Father, Castle, Still, Candidates

It's wrong for parents to bury their children. It should be the other way around.

- Rose Kennedy

Children, Other, Bury, Parents

In my life, I am often reminded that there is a destiny that rules over us, because no one whom I know about or whom I read about seems to be completely happy during a long time.

- Rose Kennedy

Happy, Destiny, My Life, Reminded

I tell myself that God gave my children many gifts - spirit, beauty, intelligence, the capacity to make friends and to inspire respect. There was only one gift he held back - length of life.

- Rose Kennedy

Beauty, Death, Gift, Gifts

There's nothing I like less than bad arguments for a view that I hold dear.

- Rose Kennedy

View, Bad, Like, Dear

I know not age, nor weariness nor defeat.

- Rose Kennedy

Motivational, Defeat, Nor, Weariness

I have had quite an interesting life. My husband was quite successful in the movies, and we went out frequently with Gloria Swanson and other stars.

- Rose Kennedy

Other, Had, Frequently, Successful

I will never forgive Joe for that awful operation he had performed on Rosemary. It is the only thing I have ever felt bitter toward him about.

- Rose Kennedy

Forgive, Will, Joe, Operation

Make sure you never, never argue at night. You just lose a good night's sleep, and you can't settle anything until morning anyway.

- Rose Kennedy

Anger, Night, Sure, Anyway

It is selfish to concern oneself with tragedies.

- Rose Kennedy

Moving On, Tragedies, Concern

When you hold your baby in your arms the first time, and you think of all the things you can say and do to influence him, it's a tremendous responsibility. What you do with him can influence not only him, but everyone he meets and not for a day or a month or a year but for time and eternity.

- Rose Kennedy

Parenting, Year, Your, Meets

The time will come when it will disgust you to look in the mirror.

- Rose Kennedy

Mirror, Will, Come, Disgust

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