And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/j012061.htm
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
Free Mind’s comments in
blue italics:
Kennedy was aware of the nuclear science being developed by Communist China and Russia, and was urging the peace. This arms race led to the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
Kennedy’s strategy was to keep American powerful, so that to rest assured nuclear weapons would never be employed.
This made the US foreign policy strategy that the Republic of China in Taiwan could never return to China because of the fear of the Chinese nuclear might. Many people’s hope to return home to China was sacrificed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course--both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.
So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
This is why Bush wants to bring Iran and North Korea under multilateral control, not a unilateral or bilateral talk, but multilateral talks, six countries. Sometimes, studying the inaugural address, you can see into the mind of a president, which really is the ‘state of the national fate and major issues’. It is important to learn how they cope with these dangerous and critical issues, mostly in the foreign relations. So this is the best training and analysis of the “Foreign Relations, or diplomatic training”, one can train oneself.
Quote Kennedy
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it.
Just like the Chinese Nationalists who were defending freedom from the danger of being swallowed by the old invaders the imperialists Qing, and new foreign colonial conquerors, Britain, France, Germany, the perennial invasive Russians, and their nemesis rising to power, the Japanese eager to test their Meiji reconstruction power gained from emulating the west.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.
http://www.jfklibrary.org/j012061.htm
Inaugural AddressPresident John F. KennedyWashington, D.C.January 20, 1961
Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens:
We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom--symbolizing an end as well as a beginning--signifying renewal as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forbears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge--and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do--for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom--and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge--to convert our good words into good deeds--in a new alliance for progress--to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support--to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective--to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak--and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course--both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.
So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths and encourage the arts and commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens . . . (and) let the oppressed go free."
And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need--not as a call to battle, though embattled we are-- but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.
The picture is of the Purple Wisteria vine climbing up the open air study lattice.
This wisteria was used in Soong dynasty gardens. My father was trying to imitate this style. Why did my father excel in gardening? I think that is because gardening is a way to express one’s belongings and one’s identity.
You still know where you are from, even if you were banished or on an expedition to a far away country and can’t return.
The Purple Wisteria has been used in classical Chinese gardens, from Tang Dynasty, to Soong Dynasty, to the modern Ming Guo (Republic of China) era.
Let Wisteria tumble down from the roof, for the lovers to study and to meet.
It is situated in the South end of the City.
Where we were young and we will return to reminisce.
It is in our dream, no matter where we shall be.
Lu You, 1125-1210, Soong Dynasty. Lu You was the number one prolific Soong prose writer. He wrote 10,000 poems. He was a Jin Shi, a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations.
Lu You was a patriotic poet of ShaoXing, Zhejiang. In his childhood, at the end of northern Soong dynasty, it was a time of war with the Jin tribe causing havoc in south Yangtze region.
1206 AD, Han Tuo-zhou was the prime minister and generated a northern expedition to retrieve the land. But it failed. Soong Ning Zong emperor and other officials killed Han and gave his head to the Jin tribe and made a humiliating peace treaty.
The story of South City never dies and goes on for generation and dynasties
Endless Era’s dreams and tears
After the wars
After death
With the tender romantic eyes
I will meet you again
In the South end city garden
In the South side of the city, tucked in an estate where we met.
-- Written by Free Mind
The old tales and memories still linger.
On the city, the slanting sunset with picturesque melancholy eaves
It is not the same old pond
It hurts to be under the bridge and see the spring green wave
Once it reflected your beautiful silhouette
You have been gone for 40 years.
Old willow trees no longer blew the tender shreds
You became the soil on Ji Mountain
I am still missing your trace in tears
-- Written by Lu You
