Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy 肯尼迪總統就職演說
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 forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
我們今天所看到的，并非是某一黨派的勝利，而是自由的慶典。它象征著結束，亦象征著開始；意味著更新，亦意味著變化。因為我已在你們及萬能的上帝面前，依著我們先輩175年前寫下的誓言宣誓。
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.
世界已然今非昔比，因為人類手中已經掌握了巨大的力量，既可以用來消除各種形式的貧困，亦可用以毀滅人類社會。然而，我們先輩曾為之戰斗的那些革命性的信念還依然在世界上受人爭議——那就是，每個人享有的各項權利決非來自國家政權的慷慨賜予，而是出自上帝之手。
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.
今天，我們不敢有忘，我們乃是那第一次革命的后裔。此時，讓這個聲音從這里同時向我們的朋友和敵人傳達：火炬現已傳遞到新一代美國人手中——他們生于本世紀，既經受過戰火的錘煉，又經歷過艱難嚴峻的和平歲月的考驗。他們深為我們古老的遺產所自豪——決不愿目睹或聽任諸項人權受到無形的侵蝕，這些權利不僅為這個國家始終信守不渝，亦是我們正在國內和世界上誓死捍衛的東西。
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.
讓每一個國家都知道，無論它們對我們抱有善意還是惡意，我們都準備付出任何代價、承受任何重任、迎戰任何艱險、支持任何朋友、反對任何敵人，以使自由得以維系和勝利。
This much we pledge -- and more.
這是我們矢志不移的承諾，且遠不止此！
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.
對于那些與我們共享同一文化和精神源頭的老朋友，我們許以朋友的忠誠。在許許多多的合作事業中，我們會盡己所能以促進我們的團結，而決不故意制造分裂，因為我們不敢輕易面對由分歧或體系崩潰而導致的巨大挑戰。
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.
對于那些新成立的國家，我們歡迎它們加入自由陣營，并在此許以忠告：某種形式的殖民控制決不會僅僅因為被另一種更為殘酷的霸權所取代就消聲匿跡。我們不會期待他們始終支持我們的觀點，但我們希望他們能始終堅定地維護他們自己的自由——并且牢記，在過去，那些愚蠢地騎上獨～裁的虎背以謀求權力的人最終都以葬身虎腹而告終。
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.
對于那些寄居于大半個地球上的草舍村落、為著掙脫無盡苦難的枷鎖而奮斗的人民，我們承諾將盡我們最大的努力，以使他們獲得自助的能力。因為這是時代對我們提出的要求——不是因為共～產～黨人可能如此行事、不是因為我們需要他們的選票，僅僅是因為這樣做是正當的。
If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
如果一個自由的社會不能幫助貧窮的多數，它就不能拯救那富裕的少數。
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.
對于我們的南部鄰邦共和國，我們許以特殊的承諾：將我們的良言轉為善行，在為了進步而結成的新盟邦里，幫助自由的人民和自由的政府擺脫貧困。但這一希翼中的和平革命不能成為敵對勢力的犧牲品，讓我們所有的鄰邦都知道，我們將與他們一道，反對發生在美洲任何地區的侵略和顛覆。
And let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
讓所有其他勢力都知道，這一半球的人民致力于維護他們作為自己家園主人的地位。
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.
對于那個主權國家的世界性會議組織——聯合國，我們最后一次良好祝愿是發生在戰爭機器遠遠超過和平機器的時代。為了防止它淪為僅僅用來謾罵攻訐的論壇，為了加強它對新成立國家及弱小國家的保障功能、為了擴展其權力涵蓋的領域，我們現在重申對它的支持承諾。
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，對于那些主動站到我們敵對面的國家，我們提出的不是許諾，而是懇求：在被科學釋放出的、黑暗的破壞力量以有計劃的或偶然性的自我毀滅方式吞噬全人類之前，懇求雙方再一次地開始謀求和平的努力。
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.
我們不敢以軟弱誘惑它們，因為只有當我們的軍備充足到確切無疑的程度時，我們才能確切無疑地肯定它們永遠不會被投入使用。但這兩個強大的國家集團都無法從彼此當前的做法中得到安慰——雙方都背負了過高的現代武器系統的成本、雙方都理所當然地對致死性原子武器的持續擴散感到驚恐不安，但雙方都競相改變不確定的恐怖均衡，這種均衡恰恰抑制了人類最后攤牌的沖動。
Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
讓我們永遠不要因為懼怕而談判，讓我們永遠不要懼怕談判。
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
讓雙方探尋那些能將我們團結在一起的因素，而不是那些刻意挑出那些分裂我們的因素。
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.
讓雙方首先提出認真細致的方案來核查及控制軍備，并將毀滅其他國家的絕對力量置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.
讓雙方努力去激發科學的奇跡，而非科學的恐怖。讓我們一同探索星空、征服沙漠、消除疾病、開發海洋深處，鼓勵藝術和商業。
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."
讓雙方在世界每一個角落，都共同信守《圣經．以賽亞書》中的教誨——“卸下重負……讓被壓迫者自由。”
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.
如果合作的灘頭堡能夠遏制重重猜疑，讓雙方攜手進行新的努力——不是為了建立新的勢力均衡，而是為了建立新的規則體系——以使強者正義，弱者安全，和平維系。
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.
所有這些工作將不會在從現在起的一百天、一千天內完成，也不會在本屆行政分支任期內完成，甚至可能不會在我們的有生之年完成，但是，請讓我們現在開始工作。
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.
我的同胞們，我們事業的最終成敗將掌握在你們的手中而不僅僅是我的手中。從這個國家被創建那天起，每一代美國人都被召喚去證實自己對國家的忠誠。那些響應號召獻身國家的年輕美國人的安息之所遍布全球。
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.
現在，召喚的號角又一次吹響——不是號召我們扛起武器，雖然武器是我們所需要的——也不是號召我們去參加戰斗，雖然我們準備戰斗——而是號召我們年復一年地去進行一場漫長而未分勝負的搏斗，在希望中歡樂，而患難中忍耐，以反對人類共同的敵人：暴政、貧困、疾病以及戰爭本身。
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?
為了反對這些敵人，我們能夠將南方與北方、東方與西方團結起來，熔鑄成一個偉大的和全球性的聯盟，以確保全人類得享更為成果累累的生活嗎？你們愿意參與這項歷史性的努力嗎？
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 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.
在世界歷史的長河里，只有少數幾代人被賦予了在自由面臨最大危機時捍衛自由的使命，我不會畏縮于這一責任——我歡迎它！我也不相信我們中的任何人會愿意與其他國家的人民或其他世代的人民易地而處。我們在這場努力中所傾注的精力、信念和奉獻將照耀我們的國家以及所有為之獻身的人，火焰所放射出的光芒必將普照全世界。
And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
所以，我的美國同胞們，不要問你的國家為你做了什么，而應問你能為你的國家做些什么。
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.
我的世界同胞們，不要問美國將為你做些什么，而應問我們應該一起為了全人類的自由做些什么。
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.
最后，無論是美國公民還是世界其他國家的公民，請用我們要求于你們的關于力量和犧牲的高標準來要求我們，本著我們唯一可以指望有所回報的善意良知，依著能最終裁決我們功業的歷史，讓我們著手領導我們所熱愛的國家，在祈求神的賜福和神的幫助的同時，也能深切體認，在這片土地上，神的工作必定也是我們自己所應承擔的使命。