第一篇：曼德拉就職演講英文

曼德拉就職演說詞

我們最大的恐懼，不是我們的不足；

我們最大的恐懼，是我們有無窮的力量。

是我們的光芒不是我們的黑暗讓我們惶恐。

我們會問：我是誰能配得上擁有這樣非凡的才智、驚人的艷麗？ 其實，你為什么不可以？

你是神的孩子，你故作卑微，不足以服務這個世界；

你的畏縮，不能引領他人，讓你周邊的人感到安慰。我們出生是為了彰顯上帝在我們心里面的榮耀，這份榮耀不是在某些人心里面，它是在每個人的心中； 當我們讓自己光芒四射時，我們就不經意地容許他人做同樣的事； 當我們從自己的恐懼中釋放出來時，我們的存在也自動地解放了其他人。篇二：1994年南非總統尼爾森曼德拉就職演講

1994年南非總統尼爾森曼德拉就職演講 our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.we ask ourselves, who am i to be ？brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? actually, who are you not to be? we were born to make manifest the glory of god that is within us.and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.from nelson mandela inauguration speech, 1994 我們最深的恐懼不是能力不夠，我們最深的恐懼是能力超越了界限。捫心自問，我們想成為什么樣的人？智者，天才，名人，偉人，事實上，哪一樣你不能做到呢？我們生來就是為了證明上帝賦予了我們榮光，而我們讓自己發出光芒，在不知不覺中，也感染了他人。(此版本為cctv6播放的中文配音版本的對應臺詞)我們最恐懼的不是我們做不到，我們最恐懼的是我們的能力無法估量，我們捫心自問，我是不是聰明的慷慨的，才華橫溢和出類拔萃的？事實上你為什么不能這樣呢？我們生來就是為了證明，上帝的光芒在我們身上，而我們讓自己發出光芒，我們不知不覺中也賦予別人這樣做的權利。篇三：納爾遜·曼德拉語錄 i have fought against white domination, and i have fought against black domination.i have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities.it is an ideal which i hope to live for, and to see realised.but my lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which i am prepared to die.”

“我已經把我的一生奉獻給了非洲人民的斗爭，我為反對白人種族統治進行斗爭，我也為反對黑人專制而斗爭。我懷有一個建立民主和自由社會的美好理想，在這樣的社會里，所有人都和睦相處，有著平等的機會。我希望為這一理想而活著，并去實現它。但如果需要的話，我也準備為它獻出生命。”

——1964年，曼德拉被判終身監禁時的聲明 我們通往自由之路是不可逆轉的，我們不能讓恐懼擋住道路，非種族化、團結民主的南非的普選權是和平及種族和諧的唯一途徑。

——1990年2月11日，曼德拉出獄演講 we enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all south africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity--a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.我們立下誓約，要建立一個讓所有南非人，不論是黑人還是白人，都可以昂首闊步的社會。他們心中不再有恐懼，他們可以肯定自己擁有不可剝奪的人類尊嚴——這是一個在國內及與其他各國之間都保持和平的美好國度。

——1994年的曼德拉總統就職演說

“death is something inevitable.when a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.i believe i have made that effort and that is, therefore, why i will sleep for the eternity.”

人固有一死。當一個人已經完成他對人民和國家的應盡義務之后，他便能安息。我已盡我所能，正因如此，我也能夠安然長眠。

——1994年的曼德拉紀錄片采訪

“i was called a terrorist yesterday, but when i came out of jail, many people embraced me, including my enemies, and that is what i normally tell other people who say those who are struggling for liberation in their country are terrorists.i tell them that i was also a terrorist yesterday, but, today, i am admired by the very people who said i was one.”

我曾被叫做恐怖分子，但當我出獄之時，許多人擁抱我，包括我的敵人。我常常如此告訴那些把為自己國家的解放而奮斗者稱作恐怖分子的人，我也曾被稱為恐怖分子，但如今，那些稱我為恐怖分子的人尊重我。

——2000年5月16日在電視節目“拉里?金溝通現場”上的講話

“what counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived.it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

生命的意義不僅是活著，而是我們給別人的生命帶來了何種不同，這決定了我們人生的意義。——2002年5月18日于南非約翰內斯堡慶祝90歲生日演說

“education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

教育是最強有力的武器，你能用它來改變世界。

——2003年在南非威特沃特斯蘭德大學的講話

“for to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”

無人生來會因膚色、背景、宗教而憎恨他人，憎恨是人們后天習得的。如果人們能學會恨，他們也能被教會去愛。因為對于人的心靈來說，愛比恨來的更加自然。

要想與敵人求和平，就需與敵人合作，然后他就會變成你的伙伴。

“the brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

勇者并非指那些不感到害怕的人，而是那些能克服自身恐懼的人。

——曼德拉自傳《漫漫自由路》 after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.當我們爬上一座高山時，我們會發現更多的高山。2.education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.教育是你可以用來改變世界的最強大的武器。3.for to be free is not merely to cast off ones chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.擁有自由并不僅僅意味著擺脫自身的枷鎖，而且還意味著以一種尊重和提升他人自由的方式生活。4.i learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.the brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.我認為擁有勇氣并不代表沒有恐懼，而是戰勝恐懼。因此勇敢者并非沒有畏懼心理的人，而是征服畏懼心理的人。5.if you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head.if you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.如果你以一種外語和一個人交流，你的話只是進入他的大腦；如果你以他的母語和他交流，你的話深入他的內心。

如果你想與你的敵人友好相處，你必須和他工作。然后他會成為你的伙伴。

在我的國家我們通常先坐牢然后當總統。8.let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.但愿普天下所有的人有工作、面包、水和鹽。9.the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.活著最大的榮耀不在于從不摔倒，而在于每一次絆倒后再爬起來。10.we must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.我們必須明智地利用時間，永遠要認識到想做正義的事時間總是成熟的 money wont create success, the freedom to make it will.創造成功，靠的不是金錢，而是擁有創造成功的自由。nelson mandela never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.這片美麗的土地將永遠、永遠、永遠不會再經歷人對人的壓迫。nelson mandela only free men can negotiate;prisoners cannot enter into contracts.your freedom and mine cannot be separated.只有自由的人才能談判，身陷牢籠的人沒有談判的資格。你們的自由和我的自由是不可分割的。nelson mandela there can be no keener revelation of a societys soul than the way in which it treats its children.知曉一個社會的靈魂，就看這個社會對待小孩的方式，除此以外，沒有更好的辦法。

nelson mandela there is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.自由之路從不平坦，我們中的許多人都不得不一次又一次地穿過死神籠罩的山谷，才能抵達愿望的頂峰。

nelson mandela there is no passion to be found playing small-in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.本來能過得更精彩的生活，卻勉強接受現狀，滿足于個人的生活，這毫無激情可言。nelson mandela there is no such thing as part freedom.不存在部分自由之說。

nelson mandela there is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.回到一個未曾改變的地方，發現自己已經改變，沒有什么這更美妙。nelson mandela we must use time wisely and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right.我們必須明智地利用時間，必須永遠意識到，主持公平正義的時機已經成熟。nelson mandela when the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat.水剛煮沸就關火，這很愚蠢。nelson mandela篇四：奧巴馬在紀念曼德拉的演講 中英文

奧巴馬在曼德拉追悼會上的演講 thank you.(applause.)thank you so much.thank you.to gra?a machel and the mandela family;to president zuma and members of the government;to heads of states and government, past and present;distinguished guests--it is a singular honor to be with you today, to celebrate a life like no other.to the people of south africa--(applause)--people of every race and walk of life--the world thanks you for sharing nelson mandela with us.his struggle was your struggle.his triumph was your triumph.your dignity and your hope found expression in his life.and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.it is hard to eulogize any man--to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person--their private joys and sorrows;the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone’s soul.how much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world.“i am not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” it was precisely because he could admit to imperfection--because he could be so full of good humor, even mischief, despite the heavy burdens he carried--that we loved him so.he was not a bust made of marble;he was a man of flesh and blood--a son and a husband, a father and a friend.and that’s why we learned so much from him, and that’s why we can learn from him still.for nothing he achieved was inevitable.in the arc of his life, we see a man who earned his place in history through struggle and shrewdness, and persistence and faith.he tells us what is possible not just in the pages of history books, but in our own lives as well.mandela showed us the power of action;of taking risks on behalf of our ideals.perhaps madiba was right that he inherited, “a proud rebelliousness, a stubborn sense of fairness” from his father.and we know he shared with millions of black and colored south africans the anger born of, “a thousand slights, a thousand indignities, a thousand unremembered moments?a desire to fight the system that imprisoned my people,”

he said.but like other early giants of the anc--the sisulus and tambos--madiba disciplined his anger and channeled his desire to fight into organization, and platforms, and strategies for action, so men and women could stand up for their god-given dignity.moreover, he accepted the consequences of his actions, knowing that standing up to powerful interests and injustice carries a price.“i have fought against white domination and i have fought against black domination.i’ve cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and [with] equal opportunities.it is an ideal which i hope to live for and to achieve.but if needs be, it is an ideal for which i am prepared to die.”(applause.)mandela taught us the power of action, but he also taught us the power of ideas;the importance of reason and arguments;the need to study not only those who you agree with, but also those who you don’t agree with.he understood that ideas cannot be contained by prison walls, or extinguished by a sniper’s bullet.he turned his trial into an indictment of apartheid because of his eloquence and his passion, but also because of his training as an advocate.he used decades in prison to sharpen his arguments, but also to spread his thirst for knowledge to others in the movement.and he learned the language and the customs of his oppressor so that one day he might better convey to them how their own freedom depend upon his.(applause.)mandela demonstrated that action and ideas are not enough.no matter how right, they must be chiseled into law and institutions.he was practical, testing his beliefs against the hard surface of circumstance and history.on core principles he was unyielding, which is why he could rebuff offers of unconditional release, reminding the apartheid regime that “prisoners cannot enter into contracts.and finally, mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit.there is a word in south africa--ubuntu--(applause)--a word that captures mandela’s greatest gift: his recognition that we are all bound together in ways that are invisible to the eye;that there is a oneness to humanity;that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us.we can never know how much of this sense was innate in him, or how much was shaped in a dark and solitary cell.but we remember the gestures, large and small--introducing his jailers as honored guests at his inauguration;taking a pitch in a springbok uniform;turning his family’s heartbreak into a call to confront hiv/aids--that revealed the depth of his empathy and his understanding.he not only embodied ubuntu, he taught millions to find that truth within themselves.it took a man like madiba to free not just the prisoner, but the jailer as well--(applause)--to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you;to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past, but a means of confronting it with inclusion and generosity and truth.he changed laws, but he also changed hearts.for the people of south africa, for those he inspired around the globe, madiba’s passing is rightly a time of mourning, and a time to celebrate a heroic life.but i believe it should also prompt in each of us a time for self-reflection.with honesty, regardless of our station or our circumstance, we must ask: how well have i applied his lessons in my own life? it’s a question i ask myself, as a man and as a president.the struggles that follow the victory of formal equality or universal franchise may not be as filled with drama and moral clarity as those that came before, but they are no less important.for around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger and disease.we still see run-down schools.we still see young people without prospects for the future.around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs, and are still persecuted for what they look like, and how they worship, and who they love.that is happening today.(applause.)we will never see the likes of nelson mandela again.but let me say to the young people of africa and the young people around the world--you, too, can make his life’s work your own.over 30 years ago, while still a student, i learned of nelson mandela and the struggles taking place in this beautiful land, and it stirred something in me.it woke me up to my responsibilities to others and to myself, and it set me on an improbable journey that finds me here today.and while i will always fall short of madiba’s example, he makes me want to be a better man.(applause.)he speaks to what’s best inside us.what a magnificent soul it was.we will miss him deeply.may god bless the memory of nelson mandela.may god bless the people of south africa.(applause.)譯文：

謝謝諸位。（掌聲）多謝諸位。謝謝你們。格拉薩·馬謝爾及曼德拉的家人；祖馬（zuma）篇五：曼德拉的演講稿 94年就職演說

曼德拉的演講稿（譯文）南非總統曼德拉1994年就職演說 inaugural address speech by nelson mandela may 10th 1994 1994年4月26—28日 南非第一次多種族大選舉行，非國大取得決定性勝利。1994年5月9日 多種族議會正式開幕，納爾遜？曼德拉當選為新政府總統。1994年5月10日 納爾遜？曼德拉宣誓就職總統。翌日，南非新內閣宣誓就職。as the worlds most famous prisoner and, now, his countrys leader, he exemplifies a moral integrity that shines far beyond south africa today, all of us do, by our presence here, and by our celebrations in other parts of our country and the world, confer glory and hope to newborn liberty.out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.our daily deeds as ordinary south africans must produce an actual south african reality that will reinforce humanitys belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.all this we owe both to ourselves and to the peoples of the world who are so well represented here today.each time one of us touches the soil of this land, we feel a sense of personal renewal.the national mood changes as the seasons change.we are moved by a sense of joy and exhilaration when the grass turns green and the flowers bloom.we, the people of south africa, feel fulfilled that humanity has taken us back into its bosom, that we, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil.we trust that you will continue to stand by us as we tackle the challenges of building peace, prosperity, non-sexism, non-racialism and democracy.we deeply appreciate the role that the masses of our people and their political mass democratic, religious, women, youth, business, traditional and other leaders have played to bring about this conclusion.not least among them is my second deputy president, the honourable f.w.de klerk.we would also like to pay tribute to our security forces, in all their ranks, for the distinguished role they have played in securing our first democratic elections and the transition to democracy, from blood-thirsty forces which still refuse to see the light.the time to build is upon us.we have, at last, achieved our political emancipation.we pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.we have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people.we enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all south africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity--a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.we dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free.we understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom.we know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success.we must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.let there be justice for all.let there be peace for all.let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world.let freedom reign.the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement!god bless africa!曼德拉總統就職演說? 陛下，殿下，尊貴的嘉賓，同胞們，朋友們：? 今天，我們會聚于此，與我國和世界其他地方前來慶賀的人士一起，對新生的自由賦予光輝和希望。? 這異常的人類悲劇太過漫長了，這經驗孕育出一個令全人類引以自豪的社會。?作為南非的一介平民，我們日常的一舉一動，都要為南非創造現實條件，去鞏固人類對正義的信念，增強人類對心靈深處高尚品德的信心，以及讓所有人保持對美好生活的期望。? 對我的同胞，我可以毫不猶疑地說，我們每一個人都跟這美麗祖國的大地親密地牢不可分，就如紅木樹之于比勒陀利亞，含羞草之于灌木林。?我們對這共同的家鄉在精神上和肉體上有共同的感覺，當目睹國家因可怕的沖突而變得四分五裂，遭全球人民唾棄、孤立，特別是它成為惡毒的意識形態時，我們的內心如此地痛苦。? 我們南非人民，對全人類將我們再度納入懷抱，感到非常高興。不久之前，我們還遭全世界摒棄，而現在卻能在自己的土地上，招待各國的嘉賓。?我們非常感謝我國廣大人民，以及各方民主政治、宗教、婦女、青年、商業及其他方面領袖所作的貢獻，使我們取得了上述的成就。特別功不可沒的，是我的第二副總統——德克勒克先生。? 治愈創傷的時候已經來臨。消除分隔我們的鴻溝的時刻已經來臨。創建的時機就在眼前。? 我們終于取得了政治解放。我們承諾，會將依然陷于貧窮、剝削、苦難、受著性別及其他歧視的國人解放出來。? 我們已成功地讓我們千千萬萬的國人的心中燃起希望。我們立下誓約，要建立一個讓所有南非人，不論是黑人還是白人，都可以昂首闊步的社會。他們心中不再有恐懼，他們可以肯定自己擁有不可剝奪的人類尊嚴——這是一個在國內及與其他各國之間都保持和平的美好國度。? 作為我國致力更新的證明，新的全國統一過渡政府的當務之急是處理目前在獄中服刑囚犯的特赦問題。? 我們將今天獻給為我們的自由而獻出生命和作出犧牲的我國以至世界其他地方的英雄。? 他們的理想現已成真，自由就是他們的報酬。? 作為一個統一、民主、非種族主義和非性別主義的南非首任總統，負責帶領國家脫離黑暗的深谷。我們懷著既謙恭又欣喜的心情接受你們給予我們的這份榮譽與權利。? 我們深信，自由之路從來都不易走。我們很清楚，沒有任何一個人可以單獨取得成功。? 因此，為了全國和解，建設國家，為了一個新世界的誕生，我們必須團結成為一個民族，共同行動。? 讓所有人得享正義。讓所有人得享和平。讓所有人得享工作、面包、水、鹽分。讓每個人都明白，每個人的身體、思想和靈魂都獲得了解放，從屬于自己。?這片美麗的土地永遠、永遠、永遠再不會經歷人對人的壓迫，以及遭全球唾棄的屈辱。對于如此光輝的成就，太陽永不會停止照耀。? 讓自由戰勝一切。

第二篇：曼德拉1994年總統就職演講

1994年南非總統尼爾森曼德拉就職演講 our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.we ask ourselves, who am i to be ？brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? actually, who are you not to be? we were born to make manifest the glory of god that is within us.and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.from nelson mandela inauguration speech, 1994 我們最深的恐懼不是能力不夠，我們最深的恐懼是能力超越了界限。捫心自問，我們想成為什么樣的人？智者，天才，名人，偉人，事實上，哪一樣你不能做到呢？我們生來就是為了證明上帝賦予了我們榮光，而我們讓自己發出光芒，在不知不覺中，也感染了他人。(此版本為cctv6播放的中文配音版本的對應臺詞)我們最恐懼的不是我們做不到，我們最恐懼的是我們的能力無法估量，我們捫心自問，我是不是聰明的慷慨的，才華橫溢和出類拔萃的？事實上你為什么不能這樣呢？我們生來就是為了證明，上帝的光芒在我們身上，而我們讓自己發出光芒，我們不知不覺中也賦予別人這樣做的權利。篇二：曼德拉的演講稿 94年就職演說 曼德拉的演講稿（譯文）南非總統曼德拉1994年就職演說 inaugural address speech by nelson mandela may 10th 1994 1994年4月26—28日 南非第一次多種族大選舉行，非國大取得決定性勝利。1994年5月9日 多種族議會正式開幕，納爾遜？曼德拉當選為新政府總統。1994年5月10日 納爾遜？曼德拉宣誓就職總統。翌日，南非新內閣宣誓就職。as the worlds most famous prisoner and, now, his countrys leader, he exemplifies a moral integrity that shines far beyond south africa today, all of us do, by our presence here, and by our celebrations in other parts of our country and the world, confer glory and hope to newborn liberty.out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.our daily deeds as ordinary south africans must produce an actual south african reality that will reinforce humanitys belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.all this we owe both to ourselves and to the peoples of the world who are so well represented here today.each time one of us touches the soil of this land, we feel a sense of personal renewal.the national mood changes as the seasons change.we are moved by a sense of joy and exhilaration when the grass turns green and the flowers bloom.we, the people of south africa, feel fulfilled that humanity has taken us back into its bosom, that we, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil.we trust that you will continue to stand by us as we tackle the challenges of building peace, prosperity, non-sexism, non-racialism and democracy.we deeply appreciate the role that the masses of our people and their political mass democratic, religious, women, youth, business, traditional and other leaders have played to bring about this conclusion.not least among them is my second deputy president, the honourable f.w.de klerk.we would also like to pay tribute to our security forces, in all their ranks, for the distinguished role they have played in securing our first democratic elections and the transition to democracy, from blood-thirsty forces which still refuse to see the light.the time to build is upon us.we have, at last, achieved our political emancipation.we pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.we have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people.we enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all south africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity--a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.we dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free.we are both humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege that you, the people of south africa, have bestowed on us, as the first president of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist south africa, to lead our country out of the valley of darkness.we understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom.we know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success.we must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.let there be justice for all.let there be peace for all.let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world.let freedom reign.the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement!god bless africa!曼德拉總統就職演說? 陛下，殿下，尊貴的嘉賓，同胞們，朋友們：? 今天，我們會聚于此，與我國和世界其他地方前來慶賀的人士一起，對新生的自由賦予光輝和希望。? 這異常的人類悲劇太過漫長了，這經驗孕育出一個令全人類引以自豪的社會。?作為南非的一介平民，我們日常的一舉一動，都要為南非創造現實條件，去鞏固人類對正義的信念，增強人類對心靈深處高尚品德的信心，以及讓所有人保持對美好生活的期望。? 對我的同胞，我可以毫不猶疑地說，我們每一個人都跟這美麗祖國的大地親密地牢不可分，就如紅木樹之于比勒陀利亞，含羞草之于灌木林。?我們對這共同的家鄉在精神上和肉體上有共同的感覺，當目睹國家因可怕的沖突而變得四分五裂，遭全球人民唾棄、孤立，特別是它成為惡毒的意識形態時，我們的內心如此地痛苦。? 我們南非人民，對全人類將我們再度納入懷抱，感到非常高興。不久之前，我們還遭全世界摒棄，而現在卻能在自己的土地上，招待各國的嘉賓。?我們非常感謝我國廣大人民，以及各方民主政治、宗教、婦女、青年、商業及其他方面領袖所作的貢獻，使我們取得了上述的成就。特別功不可沒的，是我的第二副總統——德克勒克先生。? 治愈創傷的時候已經來臨。消除分隔我們的鴻溝的時刻已經來臨。創建的時機就在眼前。? 我們終于取得了政治解放。我們承諾，會將依然陷于貧窮、剝削、苦難、受著性別及其他歧視的國人解放出來。? 我們已成功地讓我們千千萬萬的國人的心中燃起希望。我們立下誓約，要建立一個讓所有南非人，不論是黑人還是白人，都可以昂首闊步的社會。他們心中不再有恐懼，他們可以肯定自己擁有不可剝奪的人類尊嚴——這是一個在國內及與其他各國之間都保持和平的美好國度。? 作為我國致力更新的證明，新的全國統一過渡政府的當務之急是處理目前在獄中服刑囚犯的特赦問題。? 我們將今天獻給為我們的自由而獻出生命和作出犧牲的我國以至世界其他地方的英雄。? 他們的理想現已成真，自由就是他們的報酬。? 作為一個統一、民主、非種族主義和非性別主義的南非首任總統，負責帶領國家脫離黑暗的深谷。我們懷著既謙恭又欣喜的心情接受你們給予我們的這份榮譽與權利。? 我們深信，自由之路從來都不易走。我們很清楚，沒有任何一個人可以單獨取得成功。? 因此，為了全國和解，建設國家，為了一個新世界的誕生，我們必須團結成為一個民族，共同行動。? 讓所有人得享正義。讓所有人得享和平。讓所有人得享工作、面包、水、鹽分。讓每個人都明白，每個人的身體、思想和靈魂都獲得了解放，從屬于自己。?這片美麗的土地永遠、永遠、永遠再不會經歷人對人的壓迫，以及遭全球唾棄的屈辱。對于如此光輝的成就，太陽永不會停止照耀。? 讓自由戰勝一切。愿上帝保佑南非！?篇三：教案十曼德拉總統就職演說 篇四：曼德拉總統就職宣言

曼德拉總統就職宣言

我們最大的恐懼不是我們沒有能力，我們最大的恐懼是我們具有無與倫比的力量。是我們的光芒而不是我們的黑暗使我們震驚。我們常常自問，“我究竟是什么人，這么的聰明、可愛、能干和具有傳奇性？”事實上，我們別無它選！

你是上帝的孩子，你小看自己就無法服務世界。

為了使你周圍的人感到安全

而縮小你自己不能給人以任何啟示。我們生來就要 為我們心中的上帝增加榮耀！

他不只存在于某些人的心中，他存在于所有人的心中！

而當我們允許自己發光時，我們在潛意識里就會允許別人發光。當我們從自己的恐懼中被解救出來時，我們的風范就自動解救了他人！--尼爾森.曼德拉1994年篇五：曼德拉就職演說詞

曼德拉就職演說詞

我們最大的恐懼，不是我們的不足；

我們最大的恐懼，是我們有無窮的力量。

是我們的光芒不是我們的黑暗讓我們惶恐。

我們會問：我是誰能配得上擁有這樣非凡的才智、驚人的艷麗？ 其實，你為什么不可以？

你是神的孩子，你故作卑微，不足以服務這個世界；

你的畏縮，不能引領他人，讓你周邊的人感到安慰。我們出生是為了彰顯上帝在我們心里面的榮耀，這份榮耀不是在某些人心里面，它是在每個人的心中；

當我們讓自己光芒四射時，我們就不經意地容許他人做同樣的事； 當我們從自己的恐懼中釋放出來時，我們的存在也自動地解放了其他人。

第三篇：曼德拉就職演講稿

曼德拉就職演說詞

我們最大的恐懼，不是我們的不足；

我們最大的恐懼，是我們有無窮的力量。

是我們的光芒不是我們的黑暗讓我們惶恐。

我們會問：我是誰能配得上擁有這樣非凡的才智、驚人的艷麗？ 其實，你為什么不可以？

你是神的孩子，你故作卑微，不足以服務這個世界；

你的畏縮，不能引領他人，讓你周邊的人感到安慰。我們出生是為了彰顯上帝在我們心里面的榮耀，這份榮耀不是在某些人心里面，它是在每個人的心中； 當我們讓自己光芒四射時，我們就不經意地容許他人做同樣的事； 當我們從自己的恐懼中釋放出來時，我們的存在也自動地解放了其他人。篇二：曼德拉的演講稿 94年就職演說 曼德拉的演講稿（譯文）南非總統曼德拉1994年就職演說 inaugural address speech by nelson mandela may 10th 1994 1994年4月26—28日 南非第一次多種族大選舉行，非國大取得決定性勝利。1994年5月9日 多種族議會正式開幕，納爾遜？曼德拉當選為新政府總統。1994年5月10日 納爾遜？曼德拉宣誓就職總統。翌日，南非新內閣宣誓就職。as the worlds most famous prisoner and, now, his countrys leader, he exemplifies a moral integrity that shines far beyond south africa today, all of us do, by our presence here, and by our celebrations in other parts of our country and the world, confer glory and hope to newborn liberty.out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.our daily deeds as ordinary south africans must produce an actual south african reality that will reinforce humanitys belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.all this we owe both to ourselves and to the peoples of the world who are so well represented here today.each time one of us touches the soil of this land, we feel a sense of personal renewal.the national mood changes as the seasons change.we are moved by a sense of joy and exhilaration when the grass turns green and the flowers bloom.we, the people of south africa, feel fulfilled that humanity has taken us back into its bosom, that we, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil.we trust that you will continue to stand by us as we tackle the challenges of building peace, prosperity, non-sexism, non-racialism and democracy.we deeply appreciate the role that the masses of our people and their political mass democratic, religious, women, youth, business, traditional and other leaders have played to bring about this conclusion.not least among them is my second deputy president, the honourable f.w.de klerk.we would also like to pay tribute to our security forces, in all their ranks, for the distinguished role they have played in securing our first democratic elections and the transition to democracy, from blood-thirsty forces which still refuse to see the light.the time to build is upon us.we have, at last, achieved our political emancipation.we pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination.we have triumphed in the effort to implant hope in the breasts of the millions of our people.we enter into a covenant that we shall build the society in which all south africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity--a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.we dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free.we are both humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege that you, the people of south africa, have bestowed on us, as the first president of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist south africa, to lead our country out of the valley of darkness.we understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom.we know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success.we must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.let there be justice for all.let there be peace for all.let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world.let freedom reign.the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement!god bless africa!曼德拉總統就職演說? 陛下，殿下，尊貴的嘉賓，同胞們，朋友們：? 今天，我們會聚于此，與我國和世界其他地方前來慶賀的人士一起，對新生的自由賦予光輝和希望。? 這異常的人類悲劇太過漫長了，這經驗孕育出一個令全人類引以自豪的社會。?作為南非的一介平民，我們日常的一舉一動，都要為南非創造現實條件，去鞏固人類對正義的信念，增強人類對心靈深處高尚品德的信心，以及讓所有人保持對美好生活的期望。? 對我的同胞，我可以毫不猶疑地說，我們每一個人都跟這美麗祖國的大地親密地牢不可分，就如紅木樹之于比勒陀利亞，含羞草之于灌木林。?我們對這共同的家鄉在精神上和肉體上有共同的感覺，當目睹國家因可怕的沖突而變得四分五裂，遭全球人民唾棄、孤立，特別是它成為惡毒的意識形態時，我們的內心如此地痛苦。? 我們南非人民，對全人類將我們再度納入懷抱，感到非常高興。不久之前，我們還遭全世界摒棄，而現在卻能在自己的土地上，招待各國的嘉賓。?我們非常感謝我國廣大人民，以及各方民主政治、宗教、婦女、青年、商業及其他方面領袖所作的貢獻，使我們取得了上述的成就。特別功不可沒的，是我的第二副總統——德克勒克先生。? 治愈創傷的時候已經來臨。消除分隔我們的鴻溝的時刻已經來臨。創建的時機就在眼前。? 我們終于取得了政治解放。我們承諾，會將依然陷于貧窮、剝削、苦難、受著性別及其他歧視的國人解放出來。? 我們已成功地讓我們千千萬萬的國人的心中燃起希望。我們立下誓約，要建立一個讓所有南非人，不論是黑人還是白人，都可以昂首闊步的社會。他們心中不再有恐懼，他們可以肯定自己擁有不可剝奪的人類尊嚴——這是一個在國內及與其他各國之間都保持和平的美好國度。? 作為我國致力更新的證明，新的全國統一過渡政府的當務之急是處理目前在獄中服刑囚犯的特赦問題。? 我們將今天獻給為我們的自由而獻出生命和作出犧牲的我國以至世界其他地方的英雄。? 他們的理想現已成真，自由就是他們的報酬。? 作為一個統一、民主、非種族主義和非性別主義的南非首任總統，負責帶領國家脫離黑暗的深谷。我們懷著既謙恭又欣喜的心情接受你們給予我們的這份榮譽與權利。? 我們深信，自由之路從來都不易走。我們很清楚，沒有任何一個人可以單獨取得成功。? 因此，為了全國和解，建設國家，為了一個新世界的誕生，我們必須團結成為一個民族，共同行動。? 讓所有人得享正義。讓所有人得享和平。讓所有人得享工作、面包、水、鹽分。讓每個人都明白，每個人的身體、思想和靈魂都獲得了解放，從屬于自己。?這片美麗的土地永遠、永遠、永遠再不會經歷人對人的壓迫，以及遭全球唾棄的屈辱。對于如此光輝的成就，太陽永不會停止照耀。? 讓自由戰勝一切。愿上帝保佑南非！?篇三：1994年南非總統尼爾森曼德拉就職演講 1994年南非總統尼爾森曼德拉就職演講 our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.we ask ourselves, who am i to be ？brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? actually, who are you not to be? we were born to make manifest the glory of god that is within us.and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.from nelson mandela inauguration speech, 1994 我們最深的恐懼不是能力不夠，我們最深的恐懼是能力超越了界限。捫心自問，我們想成為什么樣的人？智者，天才，名人，偉人，事實上，哪一樣你不能做到呢？我們生來就是為了證明上帝賦予了我們榮光，而我們讓自己發出光芒，在不知不覺中，也感染了他人。(此版本為cctv6播放的中文配音版本的對應臺詞)我們最恐懼的不是我們做不到，我們最恐懼的是我們的能力無法估量，我們捫心自問，我是不是聰明的慷慨的，才華橫溢和出類拔萃的？事實上你為什么不能這樣呢？我們生來就是為了證明，上帝的光芒在我們身上，而我們讓自己發出光芒，我們不知不覺中也賦予別人這樣做的權利。篇四：曼德拉演講 as the worlds most famous prisoner and, now, his countrys leader, he exemplifies a moral integrity that shines far beyondsouth africa today, all of us do, by our presence here, and by our celebrations in other parts of our country and the world, confer glory and hope to newborn liberty.out of the experience of an extraordinary human disaster that lasted too long, must be born a society of which all humanity will be proud.our daily deeds as ordinary south africans must produce an actual south african reality that will reinforce humanitys belief in justice, strengthen its confidence in the nobility of the human soul and sustain all our hopes for a glorious life for all.all this we owe both to ourselves and to the peoples of the world who are so well represented here today.each time one of ustouches the soil of this land, we feel a sense of personal renewal.the national mood changes as the seasons change.we are moved by a sense of joy and exhilaration when the grass turns green and the flowers bloom.we, the people of south africa, feel fulfilled that humanity has taken us back into its bosom, that we, who were outlaws not so long ago, have today been given the rare privilege to be host to the nations of the world on our own soil.we trust that you will continue to stand byus as we tackle the challenges of building peace, prosperity, non-sexism, non-racialism and democracy.we deeply appreciate the role that the masses of our people and their political mass democratic, religious, women, youth, business, traditional and other leaders have played to bring about this conclusion.not least among them is my second deputy president, the honourable f.w.de klerk.the time to build is upon us.we have, at last, achieved our political emancipation.we pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, genderand other discrimination.we are both humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege that you, the people of south africa, have bestowed on us, as the first president of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist south africa, to lead our country out of the valley of darkness.we understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom.we know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success.we must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world.let there be justice for all.let there be peace for all.let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil themselves.never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world.let freedomreign.the sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement!god bless africa!曼德拉總統就職演說? 陛下，殿下，尊貴的嘉賓，同胞們，朋友們：? 今天，我們會聚于此，與我國和世界其他地方前來慶賀的人士一起，對新生的自由賦予光輝和希望。? 這異常的人類悲劇太過漫長了，這經驗孕育出一個令全人類引以自豪的社會。?作為南非的一介平民，我們日常的一舉一動，都要為南非創造現實條件，去鞏固人類對正義的信念，增強人類對心靈深處高尚品德的信心，以及讓所有人保持對美好生活的期望。? 對我的同胞，我可以毫不猶疑地說，我們每一個人都跟這美麗祖國的大地親密地牢不可分，就如紅木樹之于比勒陀利亞，含羞草之于灌木林。?我們對這共同的家鄉在精神上和肉體上有共同的感覺，當目睹國家因可怕的沖突而變得四分五裂，遭全球人民唾棄、孤立，特別是它成為惡毒的意識形態時，我們的內心如此地痛苦。? 我們南非人民，對全人類將我們再度納入懷抱，感到非常高興。不久之前，我們還遭全

世界摒棄，而現在卻能在自己的土地上，招待各國的嘉賓。?我們非常感謝我國廣大人民，以及各方民主政治、宗教、婦女、青年、商業及其他方面領袖所作的貢獻，使我們取得了上述的成就。特別功不可沒的，是我的第二副總統——德克勒克先生。? 治愈創傷的時候已經來臨。消除分隔我們的鴻溝的時刻已經來臨。創建的時機就在眼前。? 我們終于取得了政治解放。我們承諾，會將依然陷于貧窮、剝削、苦難、受著性別及其他歧視的國人解放出來。? 我們已成功地讓我們千千萬萬的國人的心中燃起希望。我們立下誓約，要建立一個讓所有南非人，不論是黑人還是白人，都可以昂首闊步的社會。他們心中不再有恐懼，他們可以肯定自己擁有不可剝奪的人類尊嚴——這是一個在國內及與其他各國之間都保持和平的美好國度。? 作為我國致力更新的證明，新的全國統一過渡政府的當務之急是處理目前在獄中服刑囚犯的特赦問題。? 我們將今天獻給為我們的自由而獻出生命和作出犧牲的我國以至世界其他地方的英雄。? 他們的理想現已成真，自由就是他們的報酬。? 作為一個統一、民主、非種族主義和非性別主義的南非首任總統，負責帶領國家脫離黑暗的深谷。我們懷著既謙恭又欣喜的心情接受你們給予我們的這份榮譽與權利。? 我們深信，自由之路從來都不易走。我們很清楚，沒有任何一個人可以單獨取得成功。? 因此，為了全國和解，建設國家，為了一個新世界的誕生，我們必須團結成為一個民族，共同行動。? 讓所有人得享正義。讓所有人得享和平。讓所有人得享工作、面包、水、鹽分。讓每個人都明白，每個人的身體、思想和靈魂都獲得了解放，從屬于自己。?這片美麗的土地永遠、永遠、永遠再不會經歷人對人的壓迫，以及遭全球唾棄的屈辱。對于如此光輝的成就，太陽永不會停止照耀。? 讓自由戰勝一切。

第四篇：1994年南非總統尼爾森曼德拉就職演講

1994年南非總統尼爾森曼德拉就職演講

“ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.We ask ourselves, Who am I to be ？Brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

from Nelson Mandela Inauguration Speech, 1994

我們最深的恐懼不是能力不夠，我們最深的恐懼是能力超越了界限。捫心自問，我們想成為什么樣的人？智者，天才，名人，偉人，事實上，哪一樣你不能做到呢？我們生來就是為了證明上帝賦予了我們榮光，而我們讓自己發出光芒，在不知不覺中，也感染了他人。(此版本為CCTV6播放的中文配音版本的對應臺詞)

我們最恐懼的不是我們做不到，我們最恐懼的是我們的能力無法估量，我們捫心自問，我是不是聰明的慷慨的，才華橫溢和出類拔萃的？事實上你為什么不能這樣呢？我們生來就是為了證明，上帝的光芒在我們身上，而我們讓自己發出光芒，我們不知不覺中也賦予別人這樣做的權利。

第五篇：奧巴馬就職演講全文(英文)2013[范文]

奧巴馬就職演講全文(英文)

MR.OBAMA: Vice President Biden, Mr.Chief Justice, Members of the United States Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens:

Each time we gather to inaugurate a president, we bear witness to the enduring strength of our Constitution.We affirm the promise of our democracy.We recall that what binds this nation together is not the colors of our skin or the tenets of our faith or the origins of our names.What makes us exceptional – what makes us American – is our allegiance to an idea, articulated in a declaration made more than two centuries ago:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today we continue a never-ending journey, to bridge the meaning of those words with the realities of our time.For history tells us that while these truths may be self-evident, they have never been self-executing;that while freedom is a gift from God, it must be secured by His people here on Earth.The patriots of 1776 did not fight to replace the tyranny of a king with the privileges of a few or the rule of a mob.They gave to us a Republic, a government of, and by, and for the people, entrusting each generation to keep safe our founding creed.For more than two hundred years, we have.Through blood drawn by lash and blood drawn by sword, we learned that no union founded on the principles of liberty and equality could survive half-slave and half-free.We made ourselves anew, and vowed to move forward together.Together, we determined that a modern economy requires railroads and highways to speed travel and commerce;schools and colleges to train our workers。

Together, we discovered that a free market only thrives when there are rules to ensure competition and fair play.Together, we resolved that a great nation must care for the vulnerable, and protect its people from life’s worst hazards and misfortune.Through it all, we have never relinquished our skepticism of central authority, nor have we succumbed to the fiction that all society’s ills can be cured through government alone.Our celebration of initiative and enterprise;our insistence on hard work and personal responsibility, these are constants in our character.But we have always understood that when times change, so must we;that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges;that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.For the American people can no more meet the demands of today’s world by acting alone than American

soldiers could have met the forces of fascism or communism with muskets and militias.No single person can train all the math and science teachers we’ll need to equip our children for the future, or build the roads and networks and research labs that will bring new jobs and businesses to our shores.Now, more than ever, we must do these things together, as one nation, and one people.This generation of Americans has been tested by crises that steeled our resolve and proved our resilience.A decade of war is now ending.An economic recovery has begun.America’s possibilities are limitless, for we possess all the qualities that this world without boundaries demands: youth and drive;diversity and openness;an endless capacity for risk and a gift for reinvention.My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it.We believe that America’s prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class.We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work;when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship.We are true to our creed when a little girl born into the bleakest poverty knows that she has the same chance to succeed as anybody else, because she is an American, she is free, and she is equal, not just in the eyes of God but also in our own.We understand that outworn programs are inadequate to the needs of our time.We must harness new ideas and technology to remake our government, revamp our tax code, reform our schools, and empower our citizens with the skills they need to work harder, learn more, and reach higher.But while the means will change, our purpose endures: a nation that rewards the effort and determination of every single American.That is what this moment requires.That is what will give real meaning to our creed.We, the people, still believe that every citizen deserves a basic measure of security and dignity.We must make the hard choices to reduce the cost of health care and the size of our deficit.But we reject the belief that America must choose between caring for the generation that built this country and investing in the generation that will build its future.For we remember the lessons of our past, when twilight years were spent in poverty, and parents of a child with a disability had nowhere to turn.We do not believe that in this country, freedom is reserved for the lucky, or happiness for the few.We recognize that no matter how responsibly we live our lives, any one of us, at any time, may face a job loss, or a sudden illness, or a home swept away in a terrible storm.The commitments we make to each other – through Medicare, and Medicaid, and Social Security – these things do not sap our initiative;they strengthen us.They do not make us a nation of takers;they free

us to take the risks that make this country great.We, the people, still believe that our obligations as Americans are not just to ourselves, but to all posterity.We will respond to the threat of climate change, knowing that the failure to do so would betray our children and future generations.Some may still deny the overwhelming judgment of science, but none can avoid the devastating impact of raging fires, and crippling drought, and more powerful storms.The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult.But America cannot resist this transition;we must lead it.We cannot cede to other nations the technology that will power new jobs and new industries – we must claim its promise.That is how we will maintain our economic vitality and our national treasure – our forests and waterways;our croplands and snowcapped peaks.That is how we will preserve our planet, commanded to our care by God.That’s what will lend meaning to the creed our fathers once declared.We, the people, still believe that enduring security and lasting peace do not require perpetual war.Our brave men and women in uniform, tempered by the flames of battle, are unmatched in skill and courage.Our citizens, seared by the memory of those we have lost, know too well the price that is paid for liberty.The knowledge of their sacrifice will keep us forever vigilant against those who would do us harm.But we are also heirs to those who won the peace and not just the war, who turned sworn enemies into the surest of friends, and we must carry those lessons into this time as well.We will defend our people and uphold our values through strength of arms and rule of law.We will show the courage to try and resolve our differences with other nations peacefully – not because we are na?ve about the dangers we face, but because engagement can more durably lift suspicion and fear.America will remain the anchor of strong alliances in every corner of the globe;and we will renew those institutions that extend our capacity to manage crisis abroad, for no one has a greater stake in a peaceful world than its most powerful nation.We will support democracy from Asia to Africa;from the Americas to the Middle East, because our interests and our conscience compel us to act on behalf of those who long for freedom.And we must be a source of hope to the poor, the sick, the marginalized, the victims of prejudice – not out of mere charity, but because peace in our time requires the constant advance of those principles that our common creed describes: tolerance and opportunity;human dignity and justice.We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths – that all of us are created equal – is the star that guides us still;just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall;just as it guided all those

men and women, sung and unsung, who left footprints along this great Mall, to hear a preacher say that we cannot walk alone;to hear a King proclaim that our individual freedom is inextricably bound to the freedom of every soul on Earth.It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began.For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts.Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote.Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity;until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country.Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm.That is our generation’s task – to make these words, these rights, these values – of Life, and Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness – real for every American.Being true to our founding documents does not require us to agree on every contour of life;it does not mean we will all define liberty in exactly the same way, or follow the same precise path to happiness.Progress does not compel us to settle centuries-long debates about the role of government for all time – but it does require us to act in our time.For now decisions are upon us, and we cannot afford delay.We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat

name-calling as reasoned debate.We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect.We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial, and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years, and forty years, and four hundred years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.My fellow Americans, the oath I have sworn before you today, like the one recited by others who serve in this Capitol, was an oath to God and country, not party or faction – and we must faithfully execute that pledge during the duration of our service.But the words I spoke today are not so different from the oath that is taken each time a soldier signs up for duty, or an immigrant realizes her dream.My oath is not so different from the pledge we all make to the flag that waves above and that fills our hearts with pride.They are the words of citizens, and they represent our greatest hope.You and I, as citizens, have the power to set this country’s course.You and I, as citizens, have the obligation to shape the debates of our time – not only with the votes we cast, but with the voices we lift in defense of our most ancient values and enduring ideals.Let each of us now embrace, with solemn duty and awesome joy, what is our lasting birthright.With common effort and common purpose, with passion and dedication, let us answer the call of history, and carry into an uncertain future that precious light of freedom.Thank you, God Bless you, and may He forever bless these United States of America.