【赫临译笔】就职演讲（节选） - 心云驛站

就职演讲（节选）

我们在这里所看到的不是一个政党的胜利，而是一次对自由的庆祝。这既象征着一个新的开始，也象征着一个旧的结束，它既预示着一次新生，也预示着一场变革。因为我已经在诸位和全能的上帝面前庄严地宣读过我们的先辈在大约一百七十年前所规定的誓言。

我的同胞市民们，我们事业的成败与其说掌握在我手里，不如说掌握在你们手里。自从这个国家诞生之日起，一代又一代的美国人应召去证明对祖国的忠诚。这些应征入伍的年轻人的坟墓遍及全球。

现在召唤我们的号角又已吹响，不是召唤我们拿起武器，虽然我们需要武器，不是召唤我们投入战斗，虽然我们正危机四伏，而是召唤我们肩负直起一个重任，这是一场长期的已见曙光的奋斗，年复一年，在希望中欢欣鼓舞，在苦难中保持忍耐，这就是反对人类共同的敌人：专制，贫困，疾病和战争本身。

为了反对这些敌人，确保人类生活更加美好，我们可以努力组建成一个东西南北全球大联盟吗？诸位愿意加入到这场历史的努力中来吗？

在人类历史长河中，只有少数几代人在自由处于最危险时，被赋予保卫自由的职责。我不逃避这一职责，我欢迎它。我想我们当中没有一个人想变成别的人或穿越到别的时代吧。我们带到这种努力中来的精力，信心和忠诚会照亮整个国家以及为之服务的所有的人。而来自这种火焰的光芒肯定能照亮全球。

因此，我的美国同胞们，不要问国家能为你们做些什么，而要问自己能为国家做些什么。

我的世界公民们，不要问美国会为你们做些什么，而要问大家携手能为人类的自由做些什么。

最后，无论大家是美国公民还是世界公民，都要高标准要求自己，这里我们要求你们付出最高标准的毅力和牺牲精神。问心无愧是我们唯一有把握能得到的奖赏，历史是我们行为的最终法官，让我们一起向前，领导这个可爱的国家，请求上帝的护佑和帮助，但我们深知，在这里，在地球上，上帝的工作其实就是我们的工作。

First Inaugural Address

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.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in 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.

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.

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?

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.

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

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.

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.