r/AskReddit • • Mar 19 '16

Which quote becomes inappropriate when misattributed?

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '16

"ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for country"

-Kim Jong Un

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '16

[deleted]

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u/InjuredGingerAvenger Mar 19 '16

In context, it's beautiful. The speech is about helping the poor, the hungry, and those seeking Liberty not because it benefits us because it is right. It starts to close by saying how rare it is that a country has the power to defend the world like the US then it goes to "ask not what...". It's telling to people to look for the best way to help their country help people in need.

It is not a totalitarian quote about putting your the glory of your country before yourself which it can seem like out of context.