Together，we will reclaim Americas schools，before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives；we will reform Social Security and Medicare，sparing our children from struggles we have the power to prevent；we will reduce taxes，to recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise of working Americans；we will build our defenses beyond challenge，lest weakness invite challenge；and we will confront weapons of mass destruction，so that a new century is spared new horrors．
我们要共同努力，健全美国的学校教育，不能让无知和冷漠吞噬更多的年轻生命。我们要改革社会医疗和保险制度，在力所能及的范围内拯救我们的孩子。我们要减低税收，恢复经济，酬劳辛勤工作的美国人民。我们要防患于未然，懈怠会带来麻烦。我们还要阻止武器泛滥，使新的世纪摆脱恐怖的威胁。
The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake，America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice，shaping a balance of power that favors freedom．We will defend our allies and our interests；we will show purpose without arrogance；we will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength；and to all nations，we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth．
反对自由和反对我们国家的人应该明白：美国仍将积极参与国际事务，力求世界力量的均衡，让自由的力量遍及全球。这是历史的选择。我们会保护我们的盟国，捍卫我们的利益。我们将谦逊地向世界人民表示我们的目标。我们将坚决反击各种侵略和不守信用的行径。我们要向全世界宣传孕育了我们伟大民族的价值观。
America，at its best，is compassionate．
正处在鼎盛时期的美国也不缺乏同情心。
In the quiet of American conscience，we know that deep，persistent poverty is unworthy of our nations promise．Whatever our views of its cause，we can agree that children at risk are not at fault．Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God，they are failures of love．The proliferation of prisons，however necessary，is no substitute for hope and order in our souls．
当我们静心思考，我们就会明了根深蒂固的贫穷根本不值得我国作出承诺。无论我们如何看待贫穷的原因，我们都必须承认，孩子敢于冒险不等于在犯错误。放纵与滥用都为上帝所不容。这些都是缺乏爱的结果。监狱数量的增长虽然看起来是有必要的，但并不能代替我们心中的希望——人人遵纪守法。
Where there is suffering，there is duty．Americans in need are not strangers，they are citizens，not problems，but priorities，and all of us are diminished when any are hopeless．
哪里有痛苦，我们的义务就在哪里。对我们来说，需要帮助的美国人不是陌生人，而是我们的公民；不是负担，而是急需救助的对象。当有人陷入绝望时，我们大家都会因此变得渺小。
Government has great responsibilities for public safety and public health，for civil rights and common schools．Yet compassion is the work of a nation，not just a government．Some needs and hurts are so deep they will only respond to a mentors touch or a pastors prayer．Church and charity，synagogue and mosque lend our communities their humanity，and they will have an honored place in our plans and in our laws．
对公共安全和大众健康，对民权和学校教育，政府都应负有极大的责任。然而，同情心不只是政府的职责，更是整个国家的义务。有些需要是如此的迫切，有些伤痕是如此的深刻，只有导师的爱抚、牧师的祈祷才能有所感触。不论是教堂还是慈善机构、犹太会堂还是清真寺，都赋予了我们的社会它们特有的人性，因此它们理应在我们的建设和法律上受到尊重。
Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty，but we can listen to those who do．I can pledge our nation to a goal，“When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho，we will not pass to the other side．”
我们国家的许多人都不知道贫穷的痛苦。但我们可以听到那些感触颇深的人们的倾诉。我发誓我们的国家要达到一种境界：当我们看见受伤的行人倒在远行的路上，我们决不会袖手旁观。
America，at its best，is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected．
正处于鼎盛期的美国重视并期待每个人担负起自己的责任。
Encouraging responsibility is not a search for scapegoats，it is a call to conscience．Though it requires sacrifice，it brings a deeper fulfillment．
鼓励人们勇于承担责任不是让人们充当替罪羊，而是对人的良知的呼唤。虽然承担责任意味着牺牲个人利益，但是你能从中体会到一种更加深刻的成就感。
We find the fullness of life not only in options，but in commitments．We find that children and community are the commitments that set us free．
我们实现人生的完整不单是通过摆在我们面前的选择，而且是通过我们的实践来实现。我们知道，通过对整个社会和我们的孩子们尽我们的义务，我们将得到最终自由。