肯尼迪的就职演说

1 / 30 肯尼迪的就职演说 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. 我们今天庆祝的并不是一次政党的胜利，而是一次自由的庆典；它象征着结束，也象征着开始；意味 着更新，也意味着变革。因为我已在你们和全能的上帝面前，作了跟我们祖先将近一又四分之三世纪以前所拟定的相同的庄严誓言。 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. 2 / 30 现今世界已经很不同了，因为人在自己血肉之躯的手中握有足以消灭一切形式的人类贫困和一切形式的人类生命的力量。可是我们祖先奋斗不息所维护的革命信念，在世界各地仍处于争论之中 。那信念就是注定人权并非来自政府的慷慨施与，而是上帝所赐。 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. 我们今天不敢忘记我们是那第一次革命的继承人，让我从此时此地告诉我们的朋友，并且也告诉我们的敌人，这支火炬已传交新一代的美国人，他们出生在本世纪，经历过战争的锻炼，受过严酷而艰苦的和平的熏陶，以我们的古代传统自豪，而且不愿目睹或容许人权逐步被褫夺。对于这些人权我国一向坚贞不移，当前在国内和全世界我们也是对3 / 30 此力加维护的。 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, to assure the survival and the success of liberty. 让每一个国家知道，不管它盼我们好或盼我们坏，我们将付出任何代价，忍受任何重负，应付任何艰辛，支持任何朋友，反对任何敌人，以确保自由的存在与实现。 This much we pledge - and more. 这是我们矢志不移的事 而且还不止此。 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. 对于那些和我们拥有共同文化和精神传统的老盟邦，我们保证以挚友之诚相待。只要团结，则在许多合作事业中几乎没有什么是办不到的。倘若分裂，我们则无可作为，因为我们在意见分歧、各行其是的情况下，是不敢应付强大挑战的。 To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks 4 / 30 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. 对于那些我们欢迎其参与自由国家行列的新国家，我们要提出保证，绝不让一种形成的殖民统治消失后，却代之以另一种远为残酷的暴政。我们不能老是期望他们会支持我们的观点，但我们却一直希望他们能坚决维护他们自身的自由，并应记取，在过去，那些愚蠢得要骑在虎背上以壮声势的人，结果却被虎所吞噬。 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. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. 5 / 30 对于那些住在布满半个地球的茅舍和乡村中、力求打破普遍贫困的桎梏的人们，我们保证尽最大努力助其自救，不管需要多长时间。这并非因为共产党会那样做，也不是由于我们要求他们的选票，而是由于那样做是正确的。自由社会若不能帮助众多的穷人，也就不能保全那少数的富人。 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 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. 对于我国边界以内的各姐妹共和国，我们提出一项特殊的保证：要把我们的美好诺言化作善行，在争取进步的新联盟中援助自由人和自由政府来摆脱贫困的枷锁。但这种为实现本身愿望而进行的和平革命不应成为不怀好意的国家的俎上肉。让我们所有的邻邦都知道，我们将与他们联合6 / 30 抵御对美洲任何地区的侵略或颠覆。让其它国家都知道，西半球的事西半球自己会管。 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. 至于联合国这个各主权国家的世界性议会，在今天这个战争工具的发展速度超过和平工具的时代中，它是我们最后的、最美好的希望。我们愿重申我们的支持诺言；不让它变成仅供谩骂的讲坛，加强其对于新国弱国的保护，并扩大其权力所能运用的领域。 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，对于那些与我们为敌的国家，我们所要提供的不是保证，而是要求：双方重新着手寻求和平，不要等到7 / 30 科学所释出的危险破坏力量在有意或无意中使 全人类沦于自我毁灭。 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. 我们不敢以示弱去诱惑他们。因为只有当我们的武力无可臵疑地壮大时，我们才能毫无疑问地确信永远不会使用武力。 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 mankinds final war. 可是这两个强有力的国家集团，谁也不能对当前的趋势放心双方都因现代武器的代价而感到不胜负担，双方都对于致命的原子力量不断发展而产生应有的惊骇，可是双方都在竞谋改变那不稳定的恐怖均衡，而此种均衡却可以暂时阻止人类最后从事战争。 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 8 / 30 negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate. 因此让我们重新开始，双方都应记住，谦恭并非懦弱的征象，而诚意则永远须要验证。让我们永不因畏惧而谈判。但让我们永不要畏惧谈判。 Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. 让双方探 究能使我们团结在一起的是什么问题，而不要虚耗心力于使我们分 美国第三十五任总统 John Fitzgerald Francis Kennedy 约翰 .弗 .肯尼迪 1961 年元月 20 日在首都华盛顿国会大厦前发表“就职演说”时，我在读初中三年级，学的是俄语。直到 1980 年，我才在美国出版的“ English For Today”“今日英语”教材的第五册里阅读到了这篇演说，而且还听了这篇演说的实况录音。现在这篇演说已被一字未删地选入 Advanced English“高级英语”， 21 Century College English “二十一世纪大学英语”英语教材里作为高等院校的英语学习教材。 1980 年，那时大学外语教学还是很原始落后的。我想得到英语版的联合国“人权宣言”，但在当时武汉的中南财经学院图书馆里没有。找到武汉大学图书馆，那里才只有一本油印的“人权宣言”小册子。我想得到英文版的“中华人民共和国刑法”这书，武汉的外文书店买不到。9 / 30 我托原北京地院外语老师去北京外国专家局找有关专家打听此书，专家说，刑法英文译文由他翻译，正在他手里，由于没有出版，他不能外借。肯尼迪“就职演说”是在演说之后十九年被我们 看到。时过境迁， 2016 年元月 20 日，全世界几乎所有的人都能从网上及各种媒体上听到，见到，读到美国第一位黑人总统奥巴马的“就职演说”。虽然有的人看到的是被有些媒体屏掉了，这些文字的演说，但是 1961年那时代的人能听到，见到，读到的是完全不能与今天相比的了！ 阅读翻译注释 1 、 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 I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters world is very different man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe the 10 / 30 belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state,but from the hand of God. 首席法官先生，艾森豪威尔威尔总统，尼克松副总统，杜鲁门总统，尊敬的神父，同胞们；我们今天庆祝的不是一次政党的胜利而是庆祝自由精神的胜利 - 这不仅象征结束 这还象征开始 意味着更新 也意味着变革。我在你们和全能的上帝面前宣读了将近一百七十年前我们祖先拟定的同一庒严的誓言。现在，这世界已完全不同了。人类把消除各种 贫穷及毁灭各种形式的生活的力量握在巨手中。然而，在全球，我们祖先为之奋斗的相同的革命信念仍然在争论之中 这信念 :人权不是来自国家的慷慨，而是来自上帝之手。 1： the same solemn oath: I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States,and will,to the best of my ability,preserve protest and defend the Constitution of the United States.同一庒严的誓词：我郑重地宣誓我一定满怀信心地履任美国总统职务，尽我所能，维持，保护和防卫美国宪法。 2：林肯： four score and seven years ago,八十七年前；肯尼迪在此借用： nearly a century and three quarters ago 接近一百七十五年前 11 / 30 2. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first 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，我们不会忘记我们是第一次革命的后代。在此时此地，让我们的朋友和敌人都听到我们的讲话：火炬已传到了新一代美国人手里 生在本世纪，受过战争的考炼，经历艰难困苦的和平磨炼，以我们古老的传统而自豪 不愿意眼看着，不容忍我们美国一直承诺的 ,今天在美国及全球仍然在承诺的人权，不断地遭受践踏。 3、 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 much we pledge and more. 让每一个希望我们好还是希望我们不好的国家知12 / 30 道，我们将不惜一切代价，承受一切负担，面对各种困难，支持所有朋友，反对一切敌人，以捍卫和争取自由的胜利。我们保证这些 而且不仅如此。 对偶：有意识地把词意相对的词语放在对称 的结构中形成对照。结构匀称，整齐，词的意义相反而互相衬托，使语言鲜明，使语义加强。 well or ill place and time friend foe united,little we can not do,divided,little we can do. If a free society can not help the many who are poor,it can not save the few who are rich. It was the best of times,it was the worst of times, It was the age of wisdom 智慧 ,it was the age of foolishness 愚蠢 It was the epoch of belief 信仰， it was the epoch of incredulity 怀疑 It was the season of light,it was the season of darkness, It was the spring of hope,it was the winter of 13 / 30 despair 绝望 , We had everything before us,we had nothing before us, We were all going direct to heaven,we were all going direct the other way.狄更斯：双城记 Tom gave up the brush with reluctance in his face,but eagerness in his heart. 马克。吐温： 排比：结构相同，意义并重，语气一致的词组或句子排列成串，形成一个整体。渲染，壮文势，广文义。使文章条理清楚，论点突出。 That we shall pay any price,bear any burden,meet any hardship,support any friend,oppose any foe, There was a song in every heart;there was cheer in every face and a spring in every step. Mark Twain: 4. To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share,we pledge the loyalty of faithful ,there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ,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，我们保证对挚友的忠诚。团结一致，我们在许多合作事业中14 / 30 将无往不胜。四分五裂，我们将一事无成。 - 因为，意见分歧，各行其是，我们就不能对付强大的挑战。 5. 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 greater iron shall not always expect to find them supporting our 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. 对那些我们欢迎他们加入自由行列的新国家，我们保证对现我们的诺言：一种形式的殖民控制的结束，决不能被更为暴虐的专制来代替。我们不总是指望看到他们支持我们的观点 ,但是，我们总是希望看到他们强烈的支持他们自己的自由 请记住，在过去，那些靠骑在虎背上愚蠢地寻找力量的人 ,必葬身虎腹。 1： One form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far greater iron tyranny. 否定的转移： Man does not live that he may eat but eats that 15 / 30 he may live.人活着，不是为了吃；但是 ,吃，人才活下来。 I do not think you are right. The machine did not stop for lack of oil. 2： Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside. There once was a lady from Niger， Who smiled as she rode on a tiger. They came back from the ride, With the lady inside, And the smile on the face of the tiger. 6. 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. 对那些遍布在另一半地球上的茅屋荒村里，正在奋力打碎穷困锁链的各民族；我们保证，无认需要多长时间，将尽最大的努力，来帮助他们帮助他们自己 不是因为共产党可能做这些，也不是因为我们寻求他们在联合国里的选16 / 30 票，而是这样做是正确的。如果自由社会不能帮助那些众多穷人，那么它就不能拯救少数富人。 7. 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 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 let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the mater of its own house. 对那些我们边界以南的各姐妹邻邦，我们提出特别的保证 在为进步而缔结成新的联盟中，把我们良好的诺言转变成有益的行动，支持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不能成为敌对势力的牺牲品。让我们所有的邻邦知道，我们将和他们一起反对美洲大陆上任何地方的侵略和颠覆。让所有其他国家知道，西半球的人民决心继续做自己家园的主人。 8. 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 17 / 30 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. 对联合国，这个主权国家的世界性议会组织，在战争手段远远超过和平手段这一时代，我们最美好和最后的希望之所在，我们重申我们对联合国支持的保证 防止它仅仅变成谩骂的讲坛 加强对新生国家和弱小国家的保护 扩大联合国的决议得以执行的范围。 ,to those nations who would make themselves our adversary,we offer not a pledge but a request: thatboth 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，对那些一定要使自己成为我们敌手的国家，我们不是做出保证，而是提出要求：我们双方重新开始谋求和平，不要等到被科学释放出的毁灭性的巨大威力因有意或无意的自我毁灭而吞灭全人类。 肯尼迪总统就职演说 Inaugural Address of John F. KennedyJanuary 20, 1961 Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief 18 / 30 Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy, fellow citizens: 约翰逊副总统、议长先生、首席大法官先生、艾森豪威尔总统、尼克松副总统、杜 鲁门总统、尊敬的牧师、同胞们： 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. 我们今天所看到的，并非是某一党派的胜利，而是自由的庆典。它象征着结束，亦象征着开始；意味着更新，亦意味着变化。因为我已在你们及万能的上帝面前，依着我们先辈 175 年前写下的誓言宣誓。 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 19 / 30 the state but from the hand of God. 世界已然 今非昔比，因为人类手中已经掌握了巨大的力量，既可以用来消除各种形式的贫困，亦可用以毁灭人类社会。然而，我们先辈曾为之战斗的那些革命性的信念还依然在世界上受人争议 那就是，每个人享有的各项权利决非来自国家政权的慷慨赐予，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，我们不敢有忘，我们乃是那第一次革命的后裔。此时，让这个声音从这里同时向我们的朋友和敌人传达：火炬现已传递到新一代美国人手中 他们生于本世纪，既经受过战火的锤炼，又经历过艰难严峻的和平岁月的考验。他们深为我们古老的遗产所自豪 决不愿目睹或 听任诸项人权受到无形的侵蚀，这些权利不仅为这个国家始终信守20 / 30 不渝，亦是我们正在国内和世界上誓死捍卫的东西。 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. 让每一个国家都知道，无论它们对我们抱有善意还是恶意，我们都准备付出任何代价、承受任何重任、迎战任何艰险、支持任何朋友、反对任何敌人，以使自由得以维系和胜利。 This much we pledge - and more. 这是我们矢志不移的承诺，且远不止此！ 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. 对于那些与我们共享同一文化和精神源头的老朋友，我们许以朋友的忠诚。在许许多多的合作事业中，我们会尽己所能以促进我们的团结，而决不故意制 造分裂，因为我们不敢轻易面对由分歧或体系崩溃而导致的巨大挑战。 To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial 21 / 30 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. 对于那些新成立的国家，我们 欢迎它们加入自由阵营，并在此许以忠告：某种形式的殖民控制决不会仅仅因为被另一种更为残酷的霸权所取代就消声匿迹。我们不会期待他们始终支持我们的观点，但我们希望他们能始终坚定地维护他们自己的自由 并且牢记，在过去，那些愚蠢地骑上独裁的虎背以谋求权力的人最终都以葬身虎腹而告终。 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. 对于那些寄居于大半个地球上的草舍村落、为着挣脱无尽苦难的枷锁而奋斗的人民，我们承诺将尽我们最大的22 / 30 努力，以使他们获得自助的能力。 因为这是时代对我们提出的要求 不是因为共产党人可能如此行事、不是因为我们需要他们的选票，仅仅是因为这样做是正当的。 If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. 如果一个自由的社会不能帮助贫穷的多数，它就不能拯救那富裕的少数。 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. 对于我们的南部邻邦共和