3 April 2023

Table of Content

This Quote Means | John F Kennedy: “The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining”

Essay [UPSC – 2022]

Throughout history, ancient texts and philosophers have recommended that people prepare for inevitable downturns while enjoying the present upturn because nothing lasts forever, whether it be good times or bad. This advice was echoed by Christine Lagarde, the former managing director of the IMF and current president of the European Central Bank, who quoted President John F Kennedy's statement, "the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining," during her 2017 speech at Harvard University.

Kennedy, who became the youngest US president at 43 years old during the height of the Cold War, is renowned for his energetic leadership and vision for modernizing the country's technology before his tragic assassination in 1963.

Full Quote

• During his annual State of the Union Address in 1962, President Kennedy outlined his plans for bolstering the American economy. He highlighted measures to promote growth and job creation, but also cautioned about the need to prepare for future economic downturns.
• He stated “Moreover — pleasant as it may be to bask in the warmth of recovery — let us not forget that we have suffered three recessions in the last seven years. The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining by filling three basic gaps in our anti-recession protection”.

Meaning of the quote

• The quote emphasizes the importance of taking action at the right time to prevent the worst possible outcomes during a crisis.
• It implies that enjoying the good times should not lead to complacency, but rather an opportunity to make necessary reforms and preparations for tough times ahead.
• This principle appears to have originated from an old Japanese proverb, "When you’re dying of thirst, it’s too late to think about digging a well," which emphasizes the value of being prepared in advance for emergencies.
• In his speech, Kennedy cautioned against being content with the "warmth of recovery" and urged for timely action to address potential economic downturns.
• He demonstrated this attitude during his presidency by taking decisive measures for the future, such as increasing funding for NASA during the space race against the Soviet Union.
• Kennedy famously stated, "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard," emphasizing the need to take on difficult challenges with determination.

Significance in contemporary world

• The quote can be used to advocate for timely action in various situations, including the need for preparedness in life.
• One specific application is in the context of climate change, where taking action now can help avoid the worst consequences in the future. The IPCC's 2022 report stresses the importance of stronger action in the near term to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C from pre-industrial levels.
• Another example is planning for retirement, where investing in government schemes like NPS and PPF at a young age can ensure financial security in the future.
• The underlying message of the quote is that good times should not be taken for granted, and instead, should be used as an opportunity to prepare for tougher times ahead.
• The quote can also apply to personal finance, where one should save and invest wisely during prosperous times to weather financial difficulties in the future.
• In a business context, the quote could mean investing in research and development, improving operational efficiency, or diversifying revenue streams during periods of growth to prepare for market downturns.
• Overall, the quote serves as a reminder to take proactive measures to address potential problems, rather than waiting until it's too late.

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