Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country

1. Words from the inaugural address of President John F. Kennedy, delivered in 1961.

Example Sentences

Think of John Kennedy in his inaugural address; “And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

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Kennedy challenged us with just 17 simple words: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”

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"When I told my dad that I was going to run for office, he said, 'Oh Joe, politics is a bad business. I'm telling you right now, stay out of it.' I didn't disagree that often with my father, but that time I did. I reminded him of that famous line from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.'"

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That spirit has certainly continued, boosted occasionally by calls to action like President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech urging, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”

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As he told it, he grew increasingly single-minded after hearing President John F. Kennedy declare in his 1961 inaugural address, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

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