10 Beautiful Quotes About Lebanon

Have you ever taken the time to read a novel about the country you thought you knew so well? Here are some of the most relatable and sentimental quotes we’ve found in literature about Lebanon.

“Nothing is very constant in Beirut. Certainly not dreams. But despair isn’t constant either. Beirut is a city to be loved and hated a thousand times a day. Every day. It is exhausting, but it is also beautiful.”
― Nasri Atallah

“Nothing distinguishes memories from ordinary moments. Only later do they make themselves known, from their scars.”
― Zeina Abirached, I Remember Beirut

“Beirut is the Elizabeth Taylor of cities: insane, beautiful, falling apart, aging, and forever drama laden. She’ll also marry any infatuated suitor who promises to make her life more comfortable, no matter how inappropriate he is.”
―Rabih Alameddine, An Unnecessary Woman

“I don’t want to turn into one of those pathetic creatures who are always homesick, always saying I wish I were still in Beirut. I don’t want to become like you, split between here and there. I know I’m not happy here, but why should I be unhappy in two countries?”
― Hanan Al-Shaykh, Beirut Blues

” Lebanon was, and always will be the mistress of hysteria. Lebanon was, and always will be schizophrenic.”
― Zena El Khalil, Beirut, I Love You

“Beirut, Queen of the world
Who sold your bracelet inlaid with sapphire?
Who seized your magic ring and cut your golden nails?
Arise, Beirut, so that the world may survive…that we may survive…that love may survive”
―Nizar Qabbani, Beirut! O Queen Of The World

“I am from Lebanon, from Beirut and Saida
I am from the ground underneath my home
I am from the trees, the cedar tree
I come from Tabouleh and brown eyes, from Karim…
Kassar and Kassem
I come from happiness and culture
From “Habibi” and “Hayete”
I am from all religions
I am from the room beneath the stars.”
― Zeina Kassem, Talal Kassem

“You can say that Lebanese has hundreds of lexemes for family relations. Family to the Lebanese is as snow to the Inuit.”
― Rabih Alameddine, The Hakawati

“We are all the products and victims of our own upbringing, until we reflect, refuse, and rebel.”
― Rawi Hage, Carnival

“[Beirut has gathered the] manners and customs, the flaws and vengeance, the guilt and debauchery of the whole world into her belly.”
― Etel Adnan, Sitt Marie Rose