星期五，1961年1月20日
Vice President Johnson，Mr．Speaker，Mr．Chief Justice，President Eisenhower，Vice President Nixon，President Truman，reverend clergy，fellow citizens：
约翰逊副总统、斯皮克先生、首席法官先生、艾森豪威尔总统、尼克松副总统、杜鲁门总统、尊敬的牧师、各位公民：
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．
今天我们庆祝的不是政党的胜利，而是自由的胜利。这象征着一个结束，也象征着一个开端，表示了一种更新，也表示了一种变革。因为我已在你们和全能的上帝面前，宣读了我们的先辈在170多年前拟定的庄严誓言。
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．
现在的世界已大不相同了，人类的巨手掌握着既能消灭人间的各种贫困，又能毁灭人间的各种生活的力量。但我们的先辈为之奋斗的那些革命信念，在世界各地仍然有着争论。这个信念就是：人的权利并非来自国家的慷慨，而是来自上帝恩赐。
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，我们不敢忘记我们是第一次革命的继承者。让我们的朋友和敌人同样听见我此时此地的讲话：火炬已经传给新一代美国人。这一代人在本世纪诞生，在战争中受过锻炼，在艰难困苦的和平时期受过陶冶，他们为我国悠久的传统感到自豪——他们不愿目睹或听任我国一向保证的、今天仍在国内外作出保证的人权渐趋毁灭。
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．
让每个国家都知道——不论它希望我们繁荣还是希望我们衰落——为确保自由的存在和自由的胜利，我们将付出任何代价，承受任何负担，应付任何艰难，支持任何朋友，反抗任何敌人。
This much we pledge—and more．
这些就是我们的保证——而且还有更多的保证。
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．
对那些和我们有着共同文化和精神渊源的老盟友，我们保证待以诚实朋友那样的忠诚。我们如果团结一致，就能在许多合作事业中无往不胜；我们如果分歧对立，就会一事无成——因为我们不敢在争吵不休、四分五裂时迎接强大的挑战。
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．
对那些我们欢迎其加入到自由行列中来的新国家，我们恪守我们的誓言：决不让一种更为残酷的暴政来取代一种消失的殖民统治。我们并不总是指望他们会支持我们的观点。但我们始终希望看到他们坚强地维护自己的自由——而且要记住，在历史上，凡愚蠢地骑在虎背上谋求权力的人，都是以葬身虎口而告终。
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．
对世界各地身居茅舍和乡村，为摆脱普遍贪困而斗争的人们，我们保证尽最大努力帮助他们自立，不管需要花多长时间——之所以这样做，并不是因为共产党可能正在这样做，也不是因为我们需要他们的选票，而是因为这样做是正确的，自由社会如果不能帮助众多的穷人，也就无法保全少数富人。
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 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．And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house．
对我国南面的姐妹共和国，我们提出一项特殊的保证——在争取进步的新同盟中，把我们善意的话变为善意的行动，帮助自由的人们和自由的政府摆脱贫困的枷锁。但是，这种充满希望的和平革命决不可以成为敌对国家的牺牲品。我们要让所有邻国都知道，我们将和他们在一起，反对在美洲任何地区进行侵略和颠覆活动。让所有其他国家都知道，本半球的人仍然想做自己家园的主人。
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．
联合国是主权国家的世界性议事机构，是我们在战争手段大大超过和平手段的时代里最后的、最美好的希望所在。因此，我们重申予以支持；防止它仅仅成为谩骂的场所；加强它对新生国家和弱小国家的保护；扩大它的行使法令的管束范围。
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，对那些想与我们作对的国家，我们提出一个要求而不是一项保证：在科学释放出可怕的破坏力量，把全人类卷入到预谋的或意外的自我毁灭的深渊之前，让我们双方重新开始寻求和平。
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．
我们不敢以怯弱来引诱他们。因为只有当我们毫无疑问地拥有足够的军备，我们才能毫无疑问地确信永远不会使用这些军备。