Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Monday, May 19, 2025
    961
    Instagram Facebook LinkedIn TikTok
    • Breaking News
    • Guides
    • Food & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Join the Team
    • Whatsapp
      • 961
      • 961 News
    • AUB Outdoors ☀️
    Advertise with Us Get the App
    961
    Home»Heritage»History
    Belinda McDowall/Colored by Dana Keller | William J. Smith /AP
    2 Mins Read

    How President Kennedy’s Most Famous Quote Was Actually By Gebran Khalil Gebran

    By Souad LazkaniSeptember 28, 2020Updated:April 15, 2021
    Facebook WhatsApp Copy Link

    The whole world recognizes the famous quote from President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address:

    “Ask not what your country can do for you – Ask what you can do for your country.”

    Met with loud applause by the crowd, it is one of his most memorable lines and that has been reiterated by so many since then, referring the patriotic wisdom to him.

    However, not everyone knows that JFK’s historic quote was actually inspired by renowned Lebanese writer, poet, philosopher, and artist Gebran Khalil Gebran.

    In his 1925 essay “The New Frontier”, Gebran wrote:

    “Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in a desert.”

    The takeaway from this text would be exactly what the United State’s 35th President said in his inaugural address. Except JFK was saying it to his citizens, where Gebran targeted it towards politicians.

    Maybe who thought it first and said it first doesn’t matter as much as the actual message and its influence in making a positive change in the way citizens view and/or treat their countries.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by 961 (@961app)

    However, it is a good question to ask in Lebanon these days, like the iconic Gebran Khalil Gebran once asked:

    “Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country? If you are the first, then you are a parasite; if the second, then you are an oasis in a desert.”

    Now more than ever, Lebanon is in need of “an oasis in the desert” and certainly not parasites living or thriving at the account of the struggling nation.

    Premium
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email

    For You

    nada koussa miss world miss lebanon 961

    Nada Koussa Just Left To Represent Lebanon At Miss World

    st. barbara

    The Epic Story Of Lebanon’s St. Barbara You Need to Know

    30 under 30

    Meet The 20 Lebanese Who Made It On Forbes’ 30 Under 30

    nada koussa miss lebanon miss universe dress 961

    Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa Wows Miss Universe With A Traditional Lebanese Dress Celebrating Phoenician Heritage

    lebanese execs

    17 Lebanese Execs Just Dominated The Forbes Middle East’s ‘Global Meets Local’ 2024 List

    cybelle bou chaaya

    Miss Lebanon Runner-Up Cybelle Bou Chaaya Opens Up To Us About The Online Bullying She’s Facing

    Ampere Cinema Reopens Its Doors In North Lebanon After 28 Years Of Absence

    20 Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Had Lebanese Roots

    April 22, 2019
    saint levant aub outdoors 2025 961

    Saint Levant Is Officially Headlining AUB Outdoors 2025!

    May 7, 2025

    Lebanon’s Shawarma Is Going Viral in The Philippines

    April 21, 2019

    20 Typical Lebanese Slang Expressions

    April 21, 2020
    dew apparel nada koussa miss lebanon 961

    Miss Lebanon Nada Koussa Just Launched A Sportswear Brand

    May 3, 2025
    Lebanese boutiques

    25 Boutiques In Lebanon To Find Your Dream Evening Dress This Wedding Season

    June 9, 2024
    nada koussa miss world miss lebanon 961

    Nada Koussa Just Left To Represent Lebanon At Miss World

    May 7, 2025
    arabic words

    30 Beautiful Arabic Words You Probably Want To Learn

    April 22, 2020
    Fattoush

    Lebanon’s Fattoush Ranked One of the Best Salads in the World (Again!)

    April 16, 2025
    961 Logo
    Facebook WhatsApp TikTok Instagram

    Popular Topics

    • Guides
    • Eat & Drink
    • Listicles
    • Lebanon News
    • Diaspora
    • Explained

    961

    • About
    • WhatsApp Channel
    • News WhatsApp Channel
    • Corrections Policy
    • Ownership & Funding

    Services

    • Advertise
    • Careers
    • App Waitlist
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
    961™ | All Rights Reserved ©2025
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Okay