JFK summed it up

[TestifyToTruth]

When he said:

“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future."
–JFK

 

[Shemjaza]

It was well said.

 

[Its True]

When he said:

“We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future."
–JFK

I see the importance of this quote. However, I think there is something that is missing.
I feel from the quote that JFK was talking to humanity and about humanity alone. He acknowledges the existence of Evil; "We are not here to curse the darkness..." This gives Evil an identity. It is given power when he says we are not here to curse the darkness.
The second part, "...but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future." This really speaks to humanity as a whole. JFK is stating that Evil is real and that Humanity has the power to overcome this evil by lighting a metaphoric candle. The problem with this is that JFK is giving Humanity the power of God.
While this is a nice quote, it only goes so deep. To humble yourself and admit that you hold no power is the best candle we as humans can light against this overwhelming darkness. To exalt the one true God above all and to declare through him that all things are possible is the brightest candle that can ever be lit.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Context is everything. The statement was political rhetoric, aimed at the 'past', not at evil per se. The statement appears at about the halfway point in his acceptance speech at the 1960 Democratic National Convention, which is inspiring to this day.

American Rhetoric: John F. Kennedy -- 1960 Democratic National Convention Address