Some,I know,have questioned the global appeal of liberty—though this time in history,four decades defined by the swiftest advance of freedom ever seen,is an odd time for doubt.Americans,of all people,should never be surprised by the power of our ideals.Eventually,the call of freedom comes to every mind and every soul.We do not accept the existence of permanent tyranny because we do not accept the possibility of permanent slavery.Liberty will come to those who love it.
我知道,有些人总在质疑全球自由的呼声——尽管自由在过去的40年中取得了前所未有的飞速进步。但这种质疑似乎不合时宜。所有美国人永远不应该为我们信念所产生的力量感到意外。最终,自由的呼声定能深入人心。我们决不允许暴君暴政的长久存在,因为我们决不愿接受长久的奴役。只有热爱自由的人最终才会得到自由。
Today,America speaks anew to the peoples of the world:
今天,美国再次对全世界各族人民说:
All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know:the United States will not ignore your oppression,or excuse your oppressors.When you stand for your liberty,we will stand with you.
那些生活在专制下绝望的人民应该知道:美国不会无视你们所受到的压迫,更不会饶恕那些压迫你们的人。当你们保卫自己的自由时,美国将会和你站在一起。
Democratic reformers facing repression,prison,or exile can know:America sees you for who you are:the future leaders of your free country.
那些面临被镇压、囚禁或者流亡的民主改革人士应该知道:美国将把你们看作是你们自由国家的未来领袖。
The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did:“Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves;and,under the rule of a just God,cannot long retain it.”
那些超度法外的非法政府的统治者应该知道,我们仍然抱有亚伯拉罕·林肯总统一样的信念:“那些剥夺他人自由的人自身也不配享有自由,而且在公正的上帝面前,他们的非法统治也不会长久。”
The leaders of governments with long habits of control need to know:To serve your people you must learn to trust them.Start on this journey of progress and justice,and America will walk at your side.
那些习惯于控制人民的政府统治者应该知道:要想服务于民首先就必须学会信任他们。从这一进步与正义之旅开始,美国将伴你而行。
And all the allies of the United States can know:we honor your friendship,we rely on your counsel,and we depend on your help.Division among free nations is a primary goal of freedoms enemies.The concerted effort of free nations to promote democracy is a prelude to our enemiesdefeat.
美国的所有盟友们应该知道:我们珍视我们之间的友谊,我们尊重来自于你们的任何建议,而且在我们的进步中我们正渴盼着来自于你们的帮助。自由国家之间的不和是自由敌人策动的首要目标。自由国家之间相互配合地推进民主是我们的敌人走向失败的前奏曲。
Today,I also speak anew to my fellow citizens:
今天,我还要对我的同胞和公民们说:
From all of you,I have asked patience in the hard task of securing America,which you have granted in good measure.Our country has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill,and would be dishonorable to abandon.Yet because we have acted in the great liberating tradition of this nation,tens of millions have achieved their freedom.And as hope kindles hope,millions more will find it.By our efforts,we have lit a fire as well-a fire in the minds of men.It warms those who feel its power,it burns those who fight its progress,and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world.
在保护美国安全的艰难时刻,我请求得到你们所有人的耐心。保卫国家安全是艰巨的任务,这样的耐心你们已经给予我很多了。我们的国家承担着虽难以完成却没有任何理由放弃的自然之责。正是因为我们继续着我们国家前辈解放者的传统,才使得成千上万的人们获得了自由。正如希望会点燃新的希望,还会有更多的人将因此获得自由。经过不懈的努力,我们点燃了人们心中希望的火种。它温暖了那些感受到它力量的人,它烧毁着那些试图阻挠历史进步的人。终有一天,它将把永不熄灭的自由之火撒播到我们这个世界最阴暗的角落。
A few Americans have accepted the hardest duties in this cause—in the quiet work of intelligence and diplomacy ...the idealistic work of helping raise up free governments ...the dangerous and necessary work of fighting our enemies.Some have shown their devotion to our country in deaths that honored their whole lives—and we will always honor their names and their sacrifice.
一些美国人已经接受这个事业中最困难的工作——那些默默无闻的情报采集和外交工作……正是这种理想主义激励他们自觉地帮助我们自由政府的工作——那些打击我们的敌人的危险而必要的工作。他们中的一些人因此而献出了自己的生命,我们的国家永远以他们为荣。我们将会永远记住他们的名字和他们的贡献。
All Americans have witnessed this idealism,and some for the first time.I ask our youngest citizens to believe the evidence of your eyes.You have seen duty and allegiance in the determined faces of our soldiers.You have seen that life is fragile,and evil is real,and courage triumphs.Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants,larger than yourself—and in your days you will add not just to the wealth of our country,but to its character.
所有的美国人都见证了这种理想主义,有些人虽是第一次看到。我希望我们最年轻的公民相信自己的观察。你们已经从我们军人们坚毅的面孔中看到了责任和忠诚。你们也看到了个体生命的脆弱和魔鬼邪恶的真相,你们更看到了战胜一切邪恶的勇气。请你们选择参加这一历史进程吧,它远比个人的需要重要得多,也远比个人的事项伟大得多。一旦这一进程轮到你们,你们的毅然选择不但会增加我们国家的财富,也将为我们国家的品色增添更多的光彩。
America has need of idealism and courage,because we have essential work at home—the unfinished work of American freedom.In a world moving toward liberty,we are determined to show the meaning and promise of liberty.
美国需要理想主义和勇气,因为我们在本土仍有很重要的工作——那就是完成美国推动自由的未竞之业。在一个走向自由的世界里,我们决心彰显自由的真义和自由的承诺。