肯尼迪總統(tǒng)就職演講全文
1961年1月20日，美國第35任總統(tǒng)約翰·肯尼迪就職。在就職典禮上，肯尼迪總統(tǒng)就當(dāng)時的世界格局與美國國情發(fā)表了這篇著名演講。留下了“不要問國家能為你做什么，要問你能為國家做什么”的名句，同時“美洲進(jìn)步同盟”、“晨昏對峙”（著名桌游《冷戰(zhàn)熱斗》的原名）等概念皆出自本篇演講。
Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens：
約翰遜副總統(tǒng)，議長大人，大法官先生，艾森豪威爾總統(tǒng)，尼克松副總統(tǒng)，杜魯門總統(tǒng)，尊敬的神職人員，我的美國同胞們：
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 I before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath?our forebears l prescribed?nearly a century and three quarters ago.
我們不應(yīng)視今天為一個政黨的勝利，而是自由事業(yè)的勝利——這象征結(jié)束，也象征著新的開始——意味著延續(xù)，也意味著變革。我在你們和全能的上帝面前宣讀了我們祖先在約175年前立下的莊嚴(yán)誓言。
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.
世界已經(jīng)截然不同。人類的手中握有巨大的力量，即可以消滅一切形式的貧窮，也可以直接毀滅人類。我們祖先為之奮斗的革新思想，即人權(quán)不是來自于國家的慷慨，而是由上帝賜予的思想至今依舊在全世界處于爭議。
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.
我們不敢忘卻，我們是革命先驅(qū)者的后代。讓我們的話語從此時此地出發(fā)，同時傳向朋友和敵人：火炬已經(jīng)被傳遞給了新一代美國人——他們出生在這個世紀(jì)，經(jīng)歷過戰(zhàn)火考驗，也克服著艱難苦澀的和平，他們因我們古老的遺產(chǎn)而驕傲——并且不愿看到也不允許這些人權(quán)遭到逐漸毀滅。這些權(quán)利是我們國家曾一直所捍衛(wèi)的，也是今天我們在國內(nèi)和全世界一直所捍衛(wèi)的。
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, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge--and more.
讓每個國家都知道，無論這些國家希望我們變好還是變壞：我們要不惜一切代價，承受一切負(fù)擔(dān)，克服一切困難，聯(lián)合一切朋友，消滅一切敵人，來確保自由事業(yè)的延續(xù)和成功。我們發(fā)誓要完成這些，且不止于此。
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.
對于我們有著共同文化、同根同源的老盟國們，我們保證會繼續(xù)保持對親密盟友的忠誠。團(tuán)結(jié)一致的話，在合作的道路上，我們幾乎無所不能。各自為戰(zhàn)的話，我們幾乎一事無成——因為我們不敢在內(nèi)斗的情況下面對重大挑戰(zhàn)，只能分崩離析。
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.
對于我們十分歡迎加入自由世界的新國家，我們保證不會用更加殘酷的暴政取代舊時代消逝的殖民統(tǒng)治。我們不期待所有國家都支持我們的態(tài)度。但是我們希望每一個國家都能強烈支持本國的自由——并且牢記，在過去，那些騎在老虎背上愚蠢追尋權(quán)力的人，最終都被老虎吞進(jìn)了肚子里。
To those peoples in the huts and villages across 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.
對于全世界住在棚屋和鄉(xiāng)村，正拼命打破苦難束縛的人，我們保證盡最大努力去幫助他們解放自己，無論需要多久——我們之所以這樣，不是因為共產(chǎn)主義者在這么做，也不是因為我們尋求他們的選票，僅僅是因為這么做是正確的。如果自由世界社會無法幫助眾多的窮人，那就也不能保全少數(shù)的富人。
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 pross--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.
對于我們邊界南部的姊妹共和國們，我們提供一項特殊保證：將我們的善言轉(zhuǎn)化為善行——以美洲進(jìn)步同盟的形式——幫助自由人民和自由政府?dāng)[脫貧窮的鎖鏈。但是這種帶來希望的和平革命不能成為敵對勢力趁虛而入的空隙。讓我們所有的鄰國都知道：我們會和他們一起挫敗發(fā)生在美洲的侵略和顛覆活動。并讓其他國家都知道：西半球的事情，應(yīng)該由西半球人民自己來管。
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.
對于各主權(quán)國家的世界性會議——聯(lián)合國，它是這個戰(zhàn)爭機器發(fā)展遠(yuǎn)超和平機器的時代的最后希望，我們重申我們的支持諾言：防止聯(lián)合國只成為一個國家間互潑臟水的平臺，而是要讓它成為新生國家和弱小國家的堅強護(hù)盾，并擴大聯(lián)合國權(quán)力的覆蓋范圍。
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.
最后，對于我們的敵人，我們不會做出任何承諾，但是做出要求：在科學(xué)所釋放的危險破壞力量足以在有意或無意間摧毀全人類之前，我們雙方必須重新尋求和平。
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.
我們不能靠示弱來吸引他們保持和平。因為只有我們的武裝力量強大到無人敢質(zhì)疑，我們才能保證敵人不敢破壞和平。
But neither can two at 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.
但是就目前的情況，兩國和兩大軍事集團(tuán)都不敢放松警惕——雙方都因為大量現(xiàn)代武器的開銷經(jīng)費而不堪重負(fù)，雙方都因為致命原子彈的不斷擴散而感到擔(dān)憂，雙方都在進(jìn)行軍備競賽，擔(dān)心不穩(wěn)定的實力平衡被打破，引發(fā)人類的滅亡之戰(zhàn)。
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.
所以，讓我們重新開始——記住，對雙方來說，禮貌都不是示弱的表現(xiàn)，誠意永遠(yuǎn)都是很好的證明。我們絕不會出于懼怕而談判，但我們也不要懼怕談判本身。
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
讓雙方共同解決阻礙我們團(tuán)結(jié)一致的問題，而不是反復(fù)再提起那些分裂我們的問題。
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.
讓雙方首次來共同為監(jiān)督限制軍備而制定一個嚴(yán)格準(zhǔn)確的目標(biāo)——將能夠摧毀其他國家的絕對力量處于所有國家的絕對控制之下。
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.
讓雙方共同探索科學(xué)奧秘，而不是發(fā)掘其危險性。讓我們共同探索外星球，克服荒漠化，消滅疾病，開發(fā)海底深淵，并鼓勵藝術(shù)和商貿(mào)發(fā)展。
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."
讓雙方在世界各角落都遵循以賽亞的命令，去“卸下重?fù)?dān)···去解放被壓迫的人”
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.
如果合作的灘頭堡被推退回了爾虞吾詐的猜忌環(huán)境，那就讓雙方共同重新努力，不是要再在雙方間重造平衡，而是要創(chuàng)造一個強者公正、弱者安全，和平持續(xù)的法治新世界。
All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
這一切不會在最初的100天內(nèi)完成，也不會在最初的1000天內(nèi)完成，也不會在本屆政府任期內(nèi)完成，甚至可能也不會在這個星球毀滅之前完成。但是，讓我們現(xiàn)在踏出第一步。
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in 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.
我的同胞們，我們的事業(yè)最終是成功或失敗，你們手中的決定權(quán)遠(yuǎn)遠(yuǎn)高于我。自這個國家建立以來，每一代美國人都受到號召去證明自己對國家的忠誠。許多美國年輕人響應(yīng)號召服役，他們的墳?zāi)贡椴际澜绺鞯亍?/strong>
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.
現(xiàn)在，召喚我們的號角再次吹響——不是號召我們拿起武器，盡管我們需要武器；不是號召我們?nèi)?zhàn)斗，盡管我們正在戰(zhàn)斗，而是號召我們在這一長期的晨昏對峙中承擔(dān)起責(zé)任，年復(fù)一年，“歡欣希望，忍耐磨難”，去一起對抗人類共同的敵人：暴政，貧窮，疾病和戰(zhàn)爭。
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?
我們能否結(jié)成一個對抗這一切敵人的巨大全球同盟，遍布東西南北，確保全人類可以過上更加富有的生活？你愿意為這偉大的歷史事業(yè)出一份力嗎？
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 shank 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.
在世界漫長的歷史中，只有那么幾代人在最危險的時刻扮演了保衛(wèi)自由的角色。我不會推卸我的責(zé)任——我樂于承擔(dān)責(zé)任。我不認(rèn)為我們中有人愿意和其他人或某一代人交換位置。我們投入到努力中的精力、信任和貢獻(xiàn)將會點亮我們的國家，以及為國服務(wù)的公民——我們國家火焰的微光也會點亮這個世界。
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.
因此，我們的美國同胞們：不要問國家能為你做什么，要問你能為國家做什么。
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.
全世界的公民們：不要問美國能為你做什么，要問我們能夠共同為人類的自由事業(yè)做什么。
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us 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.
最后，無論你是美國公民還是全世界其他國家的公民，請用我們要求你奉獻(xiàn)和犧牲的高標(biāo)準(zhǔn)來同樣地要求我們。問心無愧是我們唯一可以確信的回報，歷史最終會給我們的行動一個評價，讓我們帶領(lǐng)這片我們深愛的土地不斷前進(jìn)，請上帝保佑我們、幫助我們，但是要知道，在世間，上帝的任務(wù)必須由我們來完成。
