第一篇：奧巴馬給女兒的信(中英對照版)

Dear Malia and Sasha, I know that you've both had a lot of fun these last two

親愛的馬莉亞和莎夏：

我知道這兩年你們倆隨我一路競選years on the campaign trail, going to picnics and parades and 都有過不少樂子，野餐、游行、逛州博覽state fairs, eating all sorts of junk food your mother and I 會，吃了各種或許我和你媽不該讓你們吃probably shouldn't have let you have.But I also know that it 的垃圾食物。然而我也知道，你們倆和你hasn't always been easy for you and Mom, and that as excited 媽的日子，有時候并不愜意。新來的小狗as you both are about that new puppy, it doesn't make up for 雖然令你們興奮，卻無法彌補我們不在一all the time we've been apart.I know how much I've missed these past two years, and today I want to tell you a little more about why I decided to take our family on this journey.When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me

— about how I'd make my way in the world, become successful, and get the things I want.But then the two of you came into my world with all your curiosity and mischief and those smiles that never fail to fill my heart and light up my day.And suddenly, all my big plans for myself didn't seem so important anymore.I soon found that the greatest joy in my life was the joy I saw in yours.And I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours.In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation.I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential — schools that challenge them, inspire them, and instill in them a sense of wonder about the world around them.I want them to have the chance to go to college — even if their parents aren't rich.And I want them to get good jobs: jobs that pay well and give them benefits like health care, jobs that let them spend time with their own kids and retire with dignity.起的所有時光。我明白這兩年我錯過的太多了，今天我要再向你們說說為何我決定帶領我們一家走上這趟旅程。

當我還年輕的時候，我認為生活就該

繞著我轉：我如何在這世上得心應手，成功立業，得到我想要的。后來，你們倆進入了我的世界，帶來的種種好奇、淘氣和微笑，總能填滿我的心，照亮我的日子。

突然之間，我為自己譜寫的偉大計劃顯得不再那么重要了。我很快便發現，我在你們生命中看到的快樂，就是我自己生命中最大的快樂。而我也同時體認到，如果我不能確保你們此生能夠擁有追求幸福和自我實現的一切機會，我自己的生命也沒多大價值。總而言之，我的女兒，這就是我競選總統的原因：我要讓你們倆和這個國家的每一個孩子，都能擁有我想要給他們的東西。

我要讓所有兒童都在能夠發掘他們

潛能的學校就讀；這些學校要能挑戰他們，激勵他們，并灌輸他們對身處的這個世界的好奇心。我要他們有機會上大學，那怕他們的父母并不富有。而且我要他們能找到好的工作：薪酬高還附帶健康保險的工作，讓他們有時間陪孩子、并且能帶著尊嚴退休的工作。

I want us to push the boundaries of discovery so that you'll live to see new technologies and inventions that

我要大家向發現的極限挑戰，讓你在有生之年能夠看見改善我們生活、使這個improve our lives and make our planet cleaner and safer.And 行星更干凈、更安全的新科技和發明。我I want us to push our own human boundaries to reach beyond the 也要大家向自己的人際界限挑戰，跨越使divides of race and region, gender and religion that keep us 我們看不到對方長處的種族、地域、性別from seeing the best in each other.Sometimes we have to send our young men and women into war

和宗教樊籬。

有時候為了保護我們的國家，我們不and other dangerous situations to protect our country — but when we do, I want to make sure that it is only for a very good reason, that we try our best to settle our differences with others peacefully, and that we do everything possible to keep our servicemen and women safe.And I want every child to understand that the blessings these brave Americans fight for are not free — that with the great privilege of being a citizen of this nation comes great responsibility.That was the lesson your grandmother tried to teach me when I was your age, reading me the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence and telling me about the men and women who marched for equality because they believed those words put to paper two centuries ago should mean something.She helped me understand that America is great not because it is perfect but because it can always be made better — and that the unfinished work of perfecting our union falls to each of us.It's a charge we pass on to our children, coming closer with each new generation to what we know America should be.I hope both of you will take up that work, righting the wrongs that you see and working to give others the chances you've had.Not just because you have an obligation to give something back to this country that has given our family so 得不把青年男女派到戰場或其它危險的地方，然而當我們這么做的時候，我要確保師出有名，我們盡了全力以和平方式化解與他人的爭執，也想盡了一切辦法保障男女官兵的安全。我要每個孩子都明白，這些勇敢的美國人在戰場上捍衛的福祉是無法平白得到的：在享有作為這個國家公民的偉大特權之際，重責大任也隨之而來。

這正是我在你們這年紀時，外婆想要

教我的功課，她把獨立宣言開頭幾行念給我聽，告訴我有一些男女為了爭取平等挺身而出游行抗議，因為他們認為兩個世紀前白紙黑字寫下來的這些句子，不應只是空話。

她讓我了解到，美國所以偉大，不是

因為它完美，而是因為我們可以不斷讓它變得更好，而讓它更好的未竟工作，就落在我們每個人的身上。這是我們交給孩子們的責任，每過一代，美國就更接近我們的理想。

我希望你們倆都愿接下這個工作，看

到不對的事要想辦法改正，努力幫助別人獲得你們有過的機會。這并非只因國家給了我們一家這么多，你們也當有所回饋，much — although you do have that obligation.But because 雖然你們的確有這個義務，而是因為你們you have an obligation to yourself.Because it is only when 對自己負有義務。因為，唯有在把你的馬you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that 車套在更大的東西上時，你才會明白自己you will realize your true potential.These are the things I want for you — to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements

真正的潛能有多大。

這些是我想要讓你們得到的東西：在一個夢想不受限制、無事不能成就的世界beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed 中長大，長成具慈悲心、堅持理想，能幫women who will help build that world.And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have.That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure.I am so proud of both of you.I love you more than you can ever know.And I am grateful every day for your patience, poise, grace, and humor as we prepare to start our new life together in the White House.Love, Dad

忙打造這樣一個世界的女性。我要每個孩子都有和你們一樣的機會，去學習、夢想、成長、發展。這就是我帶領我們一家展開這趟大冒險的原因。

我深以你倆為榮，你們永遠不會明白我有多愛你們，在我們準備一同在白宮開

始新生活之際，我沒有一天不為你們的忍耐、沉穩、明理和幽默而心存感激。

愛你們的父親

第二篇：奧巴馬寫給女兒的信

奧巴馬：給女兒的一封信

2014-09-05 [小 大] 作者：奧巴馬 來源: 文摘 點擊量：

親愛的馬莉婭、薩莎：

我知道，這兩年來，在這條競選道路上，你們享受了不少快樂時光。你們參加了野餐，列隊游行和各州的集會，還吃了不少我和你們的媽媽原來不允許你們吃的垃圾食品，所有這一切，我都非常清楚。同時我深切地體會到，對你們和你們的媽媽而言，這兩年是多么的辛苦。不過，在這個過程中，也有令人興奮的時候，就和我們家買小狗時，你們興高采烈的心情是一樣的，我知道，在過去的兩年里我錯過了許多，但今天我想對你們說，為什么我決定帶領全家踏上這條征程。

爸爸年輕的時候，曾認為生活的全部內容只有我自己，以為生活的全部意義就是怎樣才能在世界的矚目下闖蕩出一條屬于自己的路，一條成功的路，一條能夠得到我想要的一切的路。但是到了后來，你們兩個先后來到我的世界，你們對一切充滿好奇的眼神，你們淘氣的樣子，還有你們的微笑，填滿了我整顆心，也照亮了我的人生。我突然意識到，我以前為自己制定的宏偉藍圖，似乎變得不再重要了。我發現你們的快樂，才是我一生中最大的快樂。我覺得，如果我不能給你們帶來快樂和幸福，那么我的生命就沒有任何價值而言。孩子們，這就是爸爸為何會競選總統的原因: 為了你們，為了全美國的每個孩子。

我希望，每個孩子都能夠上學，去那些能夠充分發掘潛力激發創造力和想象力，教會用質疑和好奇的眼睛觀看世界的學校。我希望，每個孩子都有機會接受大學教育，即使有些孩子能夠找到工作，能拿到滿意的報酬，能享受各項福利，能在工作之余有時間陪自己的子女，能在退休后仍能享有做人的尊嚴。

我希望，大家勇于探索，攀登科學的高峰，在有生之年能親眼見證高新科技發明創造給世界帶來的變化，切身體會我們的星球在科學的帶動下，變得更加清潔，更加安全。我希望，在大家的共同努力下，人類不再有種族之分，地域之分，性別之分和信仰之分。因為只要這些認為的界限依然存在，我們就看不到彼此最美好的閃光點。

有時候我們不得不讓青年去參加戰爭，參與處理其他危險的局面，以保衛我們的國家，然而，一旦我們這樣做了，就一定要確保有足夠充分的理由說服我們非如此就解決不了問題。確信我們已經竭盡所能希望用和平的方式解決爭端。確保我們已經盡一切的可能保障戰士的安全。我希望每個孩子都明白，這些勇敢的美國人為之奮斗的幸福不是解放自我，而是一種光榮----一種作為國家公民身上所被賦予的神圣使命。這些都是你們的祖母交給我們的。那時的我和你們差不多大，當他指著獨立宣言一字一句讀給我聽時，他告訴我，我們的戰士之所以勇敢地踏上追求平等的征程，正是因為他們相信，我們的祖先在200年前寫在紙上的這些文字，一定有著深刻的內涵。

分享到：0 你們的祖母讓我明白，美國之所以偉大，并不是因為這個國家已經完美無缺，而是因為這片土地上的人么總能不斷地讓國家變得日益完美。現在，這個使命落在了我們的肩上。

我希望你們倆能擔負起這份責任，要學會不斷糾正自己的錯誤，學會付出自己的努力，讓別人也能夠得到和自己同樣的發展機會，這不僅是因為你們必須對自己負責任。道理很簡單，只有當你們胸懷大志，并努力去實現它時，你們才能發現自己的潛力所在。

這就是我對你們的希望，在你們自由成長的世界里，你們的夢想不受任何約束，也沒有你們不能做得到的事情，我希望等你們長大以后，能富有同情心和責任感，為建設一個更加美好的世界而不懈努力。我希望每個孩子都能夠擁有和你們同樣的機會，同樣的夢想和同樣茁壯成長的經歷。這就是我帶領全家踏上這條偉大征程的原因。

爸爸為你們兩個感到驕傲。你們可知道我又多么愛你們。就在我們準備一起入住白宮，開啟生活新篇章的時候，你們表現出了應有的耐心恬靜優雅和幽默。在這里，我要對你們說一聲謝謝。

第三篇：奧巴馬演講中英對照

Hello，Chicago!If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.芝城父老，別來無恙，余嘗聞世人有疑，不知當今美利堅凡事皆可成就耶？開國先賢之志方巋然于世耶？民主之偉力不減于昔年耶？凡存諸疑者，今夕當可釋然。

It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.今夕之釋然，皆蒙美利堅民眾之協力——學塾祠廟之外，市井鄉野之間，萬千父老心焦似焚，苦待竟日，愿獻一票之力。其中，平生未嘗涉國事者，數亦不少，而今有此義舉，皆因一念不衰——今夫天下，非同既往，愿發吁天之聲，必成動地之勢。

It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled.Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.We are, and always will be, the United States of America.今夕之釋然，皆仰吾國同胞之齊心——何談貧富老幼之差、黨社宗族之異，惶論發膚肌體之別、志趣愛惡之分。吾國既以“合眾”為名，吾輩則更無疏離之意，紅藍二黨幷肩而立，數十邦州挽手相合，無分你我，共稱一家，昂然于世，齊聲一呼，天下乃有此釋然。

It’s the answer that led those who’ve been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.今夕之釋然，皆因憤懣者之鎮靜，憂懼者之勇氣，猶疑者之篤定——平素世間種種，消磨其志向，潰滅其夢想，而值此風云之際，除舊更新，當仁不讓，傾力而動乾坤者，更何人哉！

It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this date in this election at this defining moment change has come to America.俟之誠久，其志彌堅。幸天地明察，乃有今日，乃有此刻，乃有此一選舉，乃有我億萬美利堅大好國民——吾邦之大變革，方得自茲而始也！

A little bit earlier this evening, I received an extraordinarily gracious call from Sen.McCain.Sen.McCain fought long and hard in this campaign.And he’s fought even longer and harder for the country that he loves.He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine.We are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader.I congratulate him;I congratulate Gov.Palin for all that they’ve achieved.And I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead.頃接參議員麥君凱恩電，雖未得晤，幸有一談，其言諄諄，其意誠誠，鄙人感佩之至。選戰期內，麥君勞碌幾重，奔波幾許，皆為國家計。諸般求索，時日良多，皆非余所能及。于國于民之驚人犧牲，亦非庸庸如吾輩者所可想見。以麥君之膽魄襟懷，能為吾邦所用，實國家之幸，萬民之幸也。前途漫漫，其事未竟，余所盼矚由衷者，唯共麥凱恩君、佩林君，及諸賢士比肩，會吾等之綿力，成吾邦之大業。

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart, and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on the train home to Delaware, the vice president-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.喬君拜登，亦吾所感銘至深者也。競選之業，艱險不足與外人道，幸有喬君之輔佐，其誠天可鑒之。喬君其人，素言懇辭切，意篤情真，蓋嘗經斯蘭克頓街鄉鄰之提命，飽聆特拉華州父老之晤教也。他日余既登總統之位，喬君必當副之。

And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation’s next first lady Michelle Obama.拙荊米氏，追隨鄙人凡一十六年，既為愛侶，更為摯友，既為吾闔家之基石，又乃余終生之至愛。鄙人嘗自忖度，倘無賢妻若此，今朝闊論高談于此處者，不知何人矣！

Sasha and Malia I love you both more than you can imagine.And you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the new White House.小女薩沙、瑪麗，余素深喜之。昔日為父嘗與汝等言，此番選戰若得一勝，愿購小犬一頭相贈，待闔家喬遷總統府邸之日，偕汝等同進吾宅。今當勝負已出，既有一諾在前，必自踐行不欺也。

And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother’s watching, along with the family that made me who I am.I miss them tonight.I know that my debt to them is beyond measure.祖母大人雖已仙逝，料必有靈在天，俯察人寰，想應頷首開顏矣。吾奧巴馬氏列祖列宗，亦當如是。今日今時，此情此景，鄙人追思之心，烏鳥之情，曷其有極！唯生死陌路，仙凡有別，雖懷反哺之心，而無答報之門也！

To my sister Maya, my sister Alma, all my other brothers and sisters, thank you so much for all the support that you’ve given me.I am grateful to them.至若瑪雅、艾瑪二姐妹，以及吾家諸同胞，所惠我者，亦屬良多，久沐恩德，此當拜謝。

And to my campaign manager, David Plouffe, the unsung hero of this campaign, who built the best — the best political campaign, I think, in the history of the United States of America.To my chief strategist David Axelrod who’s been a partner with me every step of the way.To the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done.大衛?普勞夫君，大衛?阿克塞羅德君，一為鄙人競選事務之經理，一為鄙人國事韜略之智囊。余嘗自喟嘆，左右謀士，余所仰賴者，皆亙古未見之賢才。普阿二君，則更此中之翹楚。區區不才，有何德能，可得膀臂若此？當此功成之際，感荷之心，亦自拳拳。

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to.It belongs to you.It belongs to you.至于鄙人銘之肺腑，須臾不敢忘懷者，則諸位也。蓋今日鄙人之勝績，實諸位之勝績，鄙人之榮光，實諸位之榮光！

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office.We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements.Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington.It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.余素樸陋，雖有參選之心，幷無必勝之志。謀事之初，銀資乏匱，從者寥寥；起事之地，皆蔽寓荒齋，不在高閣；成事之基，無非尋常百姓，涓滴之獻。

It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.今日之勝，有賴一眾熱血青年，拋其家，別其室，不辭其苦，不計其酬，矻矻于此——“國中青年愛國之心已泯”之謬論，今可休矣！今日之勝，有賴壯志未已之諸前輩，無懼寒暑，行走奔波，勸說民眾。今日之勝，乃數百萬美利堅民眾之勝，察其意，皆屬踴躍為國，觀其行，處處謹嚴有序，足堪告慰二百年前開國之先賢 ——民有、民治、民享之政體，未嘗動搖也！

This is your victory.嗟夫！此實諸位之功也！

I know you didn’t do this just to win an election.And I know you didn’t do it for me.You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead.For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.余知諸君之意非在此一選舉，亦非在鄙人一身。蓋瞻前路之艱辛，益知此任非同小可也。雖今夕歡賀于此，而明朝酒醒，大患仍自當前，不容有怠——兩地烽煙熊熊而起，四海之內紛紛而亂，金融業界惶惶而不得寧。

Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage or pay their doctors’ bills or save enough for their child’s college education.There’s new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.是夜，飲宴笙歌之聲不絕于耳，而異邦大漠群山中，吾國大好青年，兀自苦戍邊塞，惝恍竟夜，性命尚未得安。吾國千萬庶民，為人父母者，兀自惴惴難眠，所憂者，乃房宅所貸、病患之費、撫育之資也。至若吾國能源之耗，百業之興，庠序之教，攻伐之術，懷遠之道，亦皆吾等忡忡掛懷者也。

The road ahead will be long.Our climb will be steep.We may not get there in one year or even in one term.But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.I promise you, we as a people will get there.渺渺乎其遠，如不可達，危危乎其高，若不可攀。朝夕歲月，焉得成就？余不揣愚鈍，愿以四載韶華，付諸此業，勝算何如雖不可知，然昂揚必勝之奇志，成就偉業之壯懷，平生未之有也。君子一諾，其重何如，此地今夕，愿斗膽發一狂言——吾輩既在，其事必成！

There will be setbacks and false starts.There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president.And we know the government can’t solve every problem.But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face.I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it’s been done in America for 221 years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.逶迤坎坷，份內之事。異見爭端，料必有之。國中之政府，諒非無所不能者。余所秉承不移者，唯忠信矣。倘有危難于前，必無欺瞞于世。諸君言論臧否，縱悖逆相左之議，余必當洗耳以聆。于此之外，更當懇請諸君，不吝心血，致力報效，以振吾美利堅重興之業。余亦別無他想，唯盼吾儕協力，延繼吾國既肇二百二十一年之大統，匯涓滴之力，而成萬世之業。

What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.This victory alone is not the change we seek.It is only the chance for us to make that change.And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.It can’t happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.昔年冬日，余有志于斯，投身此業，屈指算來，倏然近二載矣。當此秋夜，追思反省，仍無潰退逃亡之意。選戰之勝，無非一役之功，余夢寐所思矢志所求者，非在乎此。溯源究本，此役之勝，不過革世變時一大好良機耳。倘止步于斯，垂手而待，或無諸君傾力相援，則壯志豐功，無非泡影，諸般夢想，終必虛妄。

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people.愛國之心，報國之念，吾人固有之，然逢今日之世，此心此念亦當一變——吾輩各執己業，益當各竭其力，各盡其命，非但為一己之利，而更期普世之榮。今歲，金融業界動蕩多舛，細審觀之，當可以之為鑒——實業之損，亦是金融之傷。可知，既在邦域之內，吾輩榮辱休戚，皆相與共矣！

第四篇：奧巴馬開學演講稿(中英對照)

奧巴馬開學演講稿（中英對照）

按語：同學們，我們為什么要上學？這個問題的答案可能五花八門。有人說是為了以后更輕松的賺錢，有人說是為了有個更好的將來，有人說是為了擺脫現在的窘境，甚至有人說僅僅是為了將來有個飯碗，有個好家庭。當然你也可以說是為了報效祖國！但是，我想還是有很多人對這個問題的理解還是很模糊的。今天，我給大家推薦一個視頻，是美國總統奧巴馬在弗吉尼亞州阿靈頓高中面向全美中小學生發表的電視開學演講。他用平實的語言向全美的學生講述為什么要學習，經濟窘迫、家庭問題、情感問題是否能成為與老師辯駁，消極學習的借口？他鼓勵學生不畏逆境、發奮學習。請不要放棄自己，放棄自己的責任！引人深思，看完后，希望能對你有所幫助！

Wakefield High School Arlington, Virginia 韋克菲爾德高中，弗吉尼亞州，阿林頓市，September 8,2009

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT IN A NATIONAL ADDRESS TO AMERICA'S

SCHOOLCHILDREN（原文題目：總統對學校孩子們的全國講話）

嗨，大家好！你們今天過得怎么樣？我現在和弗吉尼亞州阿林頓郡韋克菲爾德高中的學生們在一起，全國各地也有從幼兒園到高三的眾多學生們通過電視關注這里，我很高興你們能共同分享這一時刻。

Hello, everybody!Thank you.Thank you.Thank you, everybody.All right, everybody go ahead and have a seat.How is everybody doing today?(Applause.)How about Tim Spicer?(Applause.)I am here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia.And we've got students tuning in from all across America, from kindergarten through 12th grade.And I am just so glad that all could join us today.And I want to thank Wakefield for being such an outstanding host.Give yourselves a big round of applause.(Applause.)

我知道，對你們中的許多人來說，今天是開學的第一天，你們中的有一些剛剛進入幼兒園或升上初高中，對你們來說，這是在新學校的第一天，因此，假如你們感到有些緊張，那也是很正常的。我想也會有許多畢業班的學生們正自信滿滿地準備最后一年的沖刺。不過，我想無論你有多大、在讀哪個年級，許多人都打心底里希望現在還在放暑假，以及今天不用那么早起床。

I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school.And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it's your first day in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little nervous.I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now--(applause)--with just one more year to go.And no matter what grade you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer and you could've stayed in bed just a little bit longer this morning.我可以理解這份心情。小時候，我們家在印度尼西亞住過幾年，而我媽媽沒錢送我去其他美國孩子們上學的地方去讀書，因此她決定自己給我上課——時間是每周一到周五的凌晨4點半。

I know that feeling.When I was young, my family lived overseas.I lived in Indonesia for a few years.And my mother, she didn't have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school, but she thought it was important for me to keep up with an American education.So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday.But because she had to go to work, the only time she could do it was at 4:30 in the morning.顯然，我不怎么喜歡那么早就爬起來，很多時候，我就這么在廚房的桌子前睡著了。每當我埋怨的時候，我媽總會用同一副表情看著我說：“小鬼，你以為教你我就很輕松？”

Now, as you might imagine, I wasn't too happy about getting up that early.And a lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table.But whenever I'd complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and she'd say, “This is no picnic for me either, buster.”(Laughter.)

所以，我可以理解你們中的許多人對于開學還需要時間來調整和適應，但今天我站在這里，是為了和你們談一些重要的事情。我要和你們談一談你們每個人的教育，以及在新的學年里，你們應當做些什么。

So I know that some of you are still adjusting to being back at school.But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you.I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you in this new school year.我做過許多關于教育的講話，也常常用到“責任”這個詞。我談到過教師們有責任激勵和啟迪你們，督促你們學習。

我談到過家長們有責任看管你們認真學習、完成作業，不要成天只會看電視或打游戲。Now, I've given a lot of speeches about education.And I've talked about responsibility a lot.I've talked about teachers' responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox.我也很多次談到過政府有責任設定高標準嚴要求、協助老師和校長們的工作，改變在有些學校里學生得不到應有的學習機會的現狀。

但哪怕這一切都達到最好，哪怕我們有最盡職的教師、最好的家長、和最優秀的學校，假如你們不去履行自己的責任的話，那么這一切努力都會白費。——除非你每天準時去上學、除非你認真地聽老師講課、除非你把父母、長輩和其他大人們說的話放在心上、除非你肯付出成功所必需的努力，否則這一切都會失去意義。

而這就是我今天講話的主題：對于自己的教育，你們中每一個人的責任。

I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that they deserve.But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world--and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.That's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.首先，我想談談你們對于自己有什么責任。你們中的每一個人都會有自己擅長的東西，每一個人都是有用之材，而發現自己的才能是什么，就是你們要對自己擔起的責任。教育給你們提供了發現自己才能的機會。

I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.Every single one of you has something that you're good at.Every single one of you has something to offer.And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is.That's the opportunity an education can provide.或許你能寫出優美的文字——甚至有一天能讓那些文字出現在書籍和報刊上——但假如不在英語課上經常練習寫作，你不會發現自己有這樣的天賦；

或許你能成為一個發明家、創造家——甚至設計出像今天的iPhone一樣流行的產品，或研制出新的藥物與疫苗——但假如不在自然科學課程上做上幾次實驗，你不會知道自己有這樣的天賦；或許你能成為一名議員或最高法院法官，但假如你不去加入什么學生會或參加幾次辯論賽，你也不會發現自己的才能。

Maybe you could be a great writer--maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper--but you might not know it until you write that English paper--that English class paper that's assigned to you.Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor--maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or the new medicine or vaccine--but you might not know it until you do your project for your science class.Maybe you could be a mayor or a senator or a Supreme Court justice--but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.而且，我可以向你保證，不管你將來想要做什么，你都需要相應的教育。——你想當名醫生、當名教師或當名警官？你想成為護士、成為建筑設計師、律師或軍人？無論你選擇哪一種職業，良好的教育都必不可少，這世上不存在不把書念完就能拿到好工作的美夢，任何工作，都需要你的汗水、訓練與學習。

And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it.You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers.You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job.You've got to train for it and work for it and learn for it.不僅僅對于你們個人的未來有重要意義，你們的教育如何也會對這個國家、乃至世界的未來產生重要影響。今天你們在學校中學習的內容，將會決定我們整個國家在未來迎接重大挑戰時的表現。

And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future.What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country.The future of America depends on you.What you're learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.你們需要在數理科學課程上學習的知識和技能，去治療癌癥、艾滋那樣的疾病，和解決我們面臨的能源問題與環境問題；你們需要在歷史社科課程上培養出的觀察力與判斷力，來減輕和消除無家可歸與貧困、犯罪問題和各種歧視，讓這個國家變得更加公平和自由；你們需要在各類課程中逐漸累積和發展出來的創新意識和思維，去創業和建立新的公司與企業，來制造就業機會和推動經濟的增長。

You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment.You'll need the insights and critical-thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free.You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.我們需要你們中的每一個人都培養和發展自己的天賦、技能和才智，來解決我們所面對的最困難的問題。假如你不這么做——假如你放棄學習——那么你不僅是放棄了自己，也是放棄了你的國家。

當然，我明白，讀好書并不總是件容易的事。我知道你們中的許多人在生活中面臨著各種各樣的問題，很難把精力集中在專心讀書之上。

我知道你們的感受。我父親在我兩歲時就離開了家庭，是母親一人將我們拉扯大，有時她付不起帳單，有時我們得不到其他孩子們都有的東西，有時我會想，假如父親在該多好，有時我會感到孤獨無助，與周圍的環境格格不入。We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems.If you don't do that--if you quit on school--you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.Now, I know it's not always easy to do well in school.I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.I get it.I know what it's like.My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mom who had to work and who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us the things that other kids had.There were times when I missed having a father in my life.There were times when I was lonely and I felt like I didn't fit in.因此我并不總是能專心學習，我做過許多自己覺得丟臉的事情，也惹出過許多不該惹的麻煩，我的生活岌岌可危，隨時可能急轉直下。

但我很幸運。我在許多事上都得到了重來的機會，我得到了去大學讀法學院、實現自己夢想的機會。我的妻子——現在得叫她第一夫人米歇爾?奧巴馬——也有著相似的人生故事，她的父母都沒讀過大學，也沒有什么財產，但他們和她都辛勤工作，好讓她有機會去這個國家最優秀的學校讀書。

So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been on school, and I did some things I'm not proud of, and I got in more trouble than I should have.And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.But I was--I was lucky.I got a lot of second chances, and I had the opportunity to go to college and law school and follow my dreams.My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a similar story.Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have a lot of money.But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.你們中有些人可能沒有這些有利條件，或許你的生活中沒有能為你提供幫助和支持的長輩，或許你的某個家長沒有工作、經濟拮據，或許你住的社區不那么安全，或許你認識一些會對你產生不良影響的朋友，等等。

但歸根結底，你的生活狀況——你的長相、出身、經濟條件、家庭氛圍——都不是疏忽學業和態度惡劣的借口，這些不是你去跟老師頂嘴、逃課、或是輟學的借口，這些不是你不好好讀書的借口。

Some of you might not have those advantages.Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need.Maybe someone in your family has lost their job and there's not enough money to go around.Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right.But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life--what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home--none of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude in school.That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school.There is no excuse for not trying.你的未來，并不取決于你現在的生活有多好或多壞。沒有人為你編排好你的命運，在美國，你的命運由你自己書寫，你的未來由你自己掌握。

Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up.No one's written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny.You make your own future.而在這片土地上的每個地方，千千萬萬和你一樣的年輕人正是這樣在書寫著自己的命運。例如德克薩斯州羅馬市的賈斯敏?佩雷茲（Jazmin Perez）。剛進學校時，她根本不會說英語，她住的地方幾乎沒人上過大學，她的父母也沒有受過高等教育，但她努力學習，取得了優異的成績，靠獎學金進入了布朗大學，如今正在攻讀公共衛生專業的博士學位。

我還想起了加利福尼亞州洛斯拉圖斯市的安多尼?舒爾茲（Andoni Schultz），他從三歲起就開始與腦癌病魔做斗爭，他熬過了一次次治療與手術——其中一次影響了他的記憶，因此他得花出比常人多幾百個小時的時間來完成學業，但他從不曾落下自己的功課。這個秋天，他要開始在大學讀書了。

That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas.Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school.Neither of her parents had gone to college.But she worked hard, earned good grades, and got a scholarship to Brown University--is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to becoming Dr.Jazmin Perez.I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought brain cancer since he was three.He's had to endure all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer--hundreds of extra hours--to do his schoolwork.But he never fell behind.He's headed to college this fall.又比如在我的家鄉，伊利諾斯州芝加哥市，身為孤兒的香特爾?史蒂夫（Shantell Steve）換過多次收養家庭，從小在治安很差的地區長大，但她努力爭取到了在當地保健站工作的機會、發起了一個讓青少年遠離犯罪團伙的項目，很快，她也將以優異的成績從中學畢業，去大學深造。

賈斯敏、安多尼和香特爾與你們并沒有什么不同。和你們一樣，他們也在生活中遭遇各種各樣的困難與問題，但他們拒絕放棄，他們選擇為自己的教育擔起責任、給自己定下奮斗的目標。我希望你們中的每一個人，都能做得到這些。

And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois.Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods in the city, she managed to get a job at a local health care center, start a program to keep young people out of gangs, and she's on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college.And Jazmin, Andoni, and Shantell aren't any different from any of you.They face challenges in their lives just like you do.In some cases they've got it a lot worse off than many of you.But they refused to give up.They chose to take responsibility for their lives, for their education, and set goals for themselves.And I expect all of you to do the same.因此，在今天，我號召你們每一個人都為自己的教育定下一個目標——并在之后，盡自己的一切努力去實現它。你的目標可以很簡單，像是完成作業、認真聽講或每天閱讀——或許你打算參加一些課外活動，或在社區做些志愿工作；或許你決定為那些因為長相或出身等等原因而受嘲弄或欺負的孩子做主、維護他們的權益，因為你和我一樣，認為每個孩子都應該能有一個安全的學習環境；或許你認為該學著更好的照顧自己，來為將來的學習做準備……當然，除此之外，我希望你們都多多洗手、感到身體不舒服的時候要多在家休息，免得大家在秋冬感冒高發季節都得流感。

That's why today I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education--and do everything you can to meet them.Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending some time each day reading a book.Maybe you'll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community.Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all young people deserve a safe environment to study and learn.Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn.And along those lines, by the way, I hope all of you are washing your hands a lot, and that you stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.不管你決定做什么，我都希望你能堅持到底，希望你能真的下定決心。

But whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it.I want you to really work at it.我知道有些時候，電視上播放的節目會讓你產生這樣那樣的錯覺，似乎你不需要付出多大的努力就能腰纏萬貫、功成名就——你會認為只要會唱rap、會打籃球或參加個什么真人秀節目就能坐享其成，但現實是，你幾乎沒有可能走上其中任何一條道路。

I know that sometimes you get that sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work--that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star.Chances are you're not going to be any of those things.因為，成功是件難事。你不可能對要讀的每門課程都興趣盎然，你不可能和每名帶課教師都相處順利，你也不可能每次都遇上看起來和現實生活有關的作業。而且，并不是每件事，你都能在頭一次嘗試時獲得成功。

The truth is, being successful is hard.You won't love every subject that you study.You won't click with every teacher that you have.Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right at this minute.And you won't necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.但那沒有關系。因為在這個世界上，最最成功的人們往往也經歷過最多的失敗。J.K.羅琳的第一本《哈利?波特》被出版商拒絕了十二次才最終出版；邁克爾?喬丹上高中時被學校的籃球隊刷了下來，在他的職業生涯里，他輸了幾百場比賽、投失過幾千次射籃，知道他是怎么說的嗎？“我一生不停地失敗、失敗再失敗，這就是我現在成功的原因。”

That's okay.Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures.J.K.Rowling's--who wrote Harry Potter--her first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published.Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.He lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career.But he once said, “I have failed over and over and over again in my life.And that's why I succeed.”

他們的成功，源于他們明白人不能讓失敗左右自己——而是要從中吸取經驗。從失敗中，你可以明白下一次自己可以做出怎樣的改變；假如你惹了什么麻煩，那并不說明你就是個搗蛋貴，而是在提醒你，在將來要對自己有更嚴格的要求；假如你考了個低分，那并不說明你就比別人笨，而是在告訴你，自己得在學習上花更多的時間。

These people succeeded because they understood that you can't let your failures define you--you have to let your failures teach you.You have to let them show you what to do differently the next time.So if you get into trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to act right.If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.沒有哪一個人一生出來就擅長做什么事情的，只有努力才能培養出技能。任何人都不是在第一次接觸一項體育運動時就成為校隊的代表，任何人都不是在第一次唱一首歌時就找準每一個音，一切都需要熟能生巧。對于學業也是一樣，你或許要反復運算才能解出一道數學題的正確答案，你或許需要讀一段文字好幾遍才能理解它的意思，你或許得把論文改上好幾次才能符合提交的標準。這都是很正常的。

不要害怕提問。不要不敢向他人求助。——我每天都在這么做。求助并不是軟弱的表現，恰恰相反，它說明你有勇氣承認自己的不足、并愿意去學習新的知識。所以，有不懂時，就向大人們求助吧——找個你信得過的對象，例如父母、長輩、老師、教練或輔導員——讓他們幫助你向目標前進。

No one's born being good at all things.You become good at things through hard work.You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport.You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song.You've got to practice.The same principle applies to your schoolwork.You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right.You might have to read something a few times before you understand it.You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in.Don't be afraid to ask questions.Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.I do that every day.Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and that then allows you to learn something new.So find an adult that you trust--a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a counselor--and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.你要記住，哪怕你表現不好、哪怕你失去信心、哪怕你覺得身邊的人都已經放棄了你——永遠不要自己放棄自己。因為當你放棄自己的時候，你也放棄了自己的國家。

And even when you're struggling, even when you're discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don't ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.美國不是一個人們遭遇困難就輕易放棄的國度，在這個國家，人們堅持到底、人們加倍努力，為了他們所熱愛的國度，每一個人都盡著自己最大的努力，不會給自己留任何余地。

The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough.It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.250年前，有一群和你們一樣的學生，他們之后奮起努力、用一場革命最終造就了這個國家；75年前，有一群和你們一樣的學生，他們之后戰勝了大蕭條、贏得了二戰；就在20年前，和你們一樣的學生們，他們后來創立了Google、Twitter和Facebook，改變了我們人與人之間溝通的方式。

因此，今天我想要問你們，你們會做出什么樣的貢獻？你們將解決什么樣的難題？你們能發現什么樣的事物？

二十、五十或百年之后，假如那時的美國總統也來做一次開學演講的話，他會怎樣描述你們對這個國家所做的一切？

It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and they founded this nation.Young people.Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war;who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon.Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google and Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.So today, I want to ask all of you, what's your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a President who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country?

你們的家長、你們的老師和我，每一個人都在盡最大的努力，確保你們都能得到應有的教育來回答這些問題。例如我正在努力為你們提供更安全的教室、更多的書籍、更先進的設施與計算機。但你們也要擔起自己的責任。因此我要求你們在今年能夠認真起來，我要求你們盡心地去做自己著手的每一件事，我要求你們每一個人都有所成就。請不要讓我們失望——不要讓你的家人、你的國家和你自己失望。你們要成為我們驕傲，我知道，你們一定可以做到。謝謝大家，上帝保佑你們，上帝保佑美國。

Now, your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions.I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the computers you need to learn.But you've got to do your part, too.So I expect all of you to get serious this year.I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do.I expect great things from each of you.So don't let us down.Don't let your family down or your country down.Most of all, don't let yourself down.Make us all proud.Thank you very much, everybody.God bless you.God bless America.Thank you.(Applause.)

第五篇：奧巴馬就職演說中英對照稿

奧巴馬的就職演說中英對照稿(2009-01-22 10:00:30)

標簽：音樂 奧巴馬 就職演說美國 美國 演講 總統 雜談

巴拉克?奧巴馬(Barack Obama)于2009年1月20日宣誓就職美國第44任總統。以下是奧巴馬總統就職演說的中英文對照全文，中文由美國國務院國際信息局(IIP)根據演說記錄稿翻譯。My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors.I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.同胞們：

我今天站在這里，深感面前使命的重大，深謝你們賦予的信任，并銘記我們前輩所付的代價。我感謝布什總統對國家的貢獻以及他在整個過渡階段給予的大度合作。

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath.The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace.Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms.At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.至此，有四十四個美國人發出總統誓言。這些字詞曾在蒸蒸日上的繁榮時期和寧靜安詳的和平年代誦讀。但是間或，它們也響徹在陰云密布、風暴降臨的時刻。美國能夠歷經這些時刻而勇往直前，不僅因為當政者具有才干或遠見，而且也因為“我們人民”始終堅信我們先輩的理想，對我們的建國理念忠貞不渝。

So it has been.So it must be with this generation of Americans.這是過來之路。這是這一代美國的必由之路。

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood.Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred.Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age.Homes have been lost;jobs shed;businesses shuttered.Our health care is too costly;our schools fail too many;and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.我們處于危機之中，這一點已得到充分認識。我國在進行戰爭，打擊分布廣泛的暴力和仇恨勢力。我們的經濟嚴重衰弱，部分歸咎于一些人的貪婪不軌，同時也因為我們作為一個整體，未能痛下決心，讓國家作好面對新時代的準備。如今，住房不再，就業減少，商業破產。醫療保健費用過度昂貴；學校質量沒有保障；而每一天都在不斷顯示，我們使用能源的方式在助長敵人的威風，威脅我們的星球。

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics.Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land ― a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.這些是危機的跡象，數據統計將予以證明。不易于衡量然而同樣嚴重的是全國各地受動搖的信心――一種揮之不去的恐懼感，認為美國將不可避免地走下坡路，下一代人不得不放低眼光。

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real.They are serious and they are many.They will not be met easily or in a short span of time.But know this, America ― they will be met.今天，我告訴大家，我們面臨的挑戰真實存在，并且嚴重而多重。它們不可能在一個短時間內被輕易征服。但是，美國，請記住這句話――它們將被征服。

On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.我們今天聚集在這里是因為我們選擇希望而不是恐懼，選擇齊心協力而不是沖突對立。

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.我們今天在這里宣告，讓斤斤計較與虛假承諾就此結束，讓窒息我國政治為時太久的相互指責和陳詞濫調就此完結。

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit;to choose our better history;to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.我們仍是一個年輕的國家，但用圣經的話說，現在是拋棄幼稚的時侯了。現在應是我們讓永恒的精神發揚光大的時侯，應是選擇創造更佳歷史業績的時侯，應是將代代相傳的寶貴財富、崇高理想向前發展的時侯：上帝賦予所有人平等、所有人自由和所有人充分追求幸福的機會。

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given.It must be earned.Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less.It has not been the path for the faint-hearted ― for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame.Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things ― some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.在重申我們國家偉大精神的同時，我們懂得，偉大從非天生，而是必須贏得。我們的歷程從來不是走捷徑或退而求其次的歷程。它不是弱者的道路――它不屬于好逸惡勞或只圖名利享受的人；這條路屬于冒險者，實干家，創造者――有些人享有盛名，但大多數是默默無聞耕耘勞作的男女志士，是他們帶我們走向通往繁榮和自由的漫長崎嶇之路。

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.為了我們，他們打點起貧寒的行裝上路，遠涉重洋，追求新生活。

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West;endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.為了我們，他們在血汗工廠勞作，在西部原野拓荒，忍著鞭笞之痛在堅硬的土地上耕耘。

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg;Normandy and Khe Sanh.為了我們，他們奔赴疆場，英勇捐軀，長眠于康科德、葛底斯堡、諾曼底和溪山。

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life.They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions;greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.為了我們能夠過上更好的生活，他們前赴后繼，歷盡艱辛，全力奉獻，不辭勞苦，直至雙手結起層層老繭。他們看到的美國超越了我們每一個人的雄心壯志，也超越了所有種族、財富或派系的差異。

This is the journey we continue today.We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth.Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began.Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year.Our capacity remains undiminished.But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions ― that time has surely passed.Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.今天，作為后來者，我們踏上了這一未竟的旅程。我們依然是地球上最繁榮、最強大的國家。我們的勞動者的創造力并沒有因為眼前的這場危機而減弱。我們的頭腦依然像以往那樣善于發明創新。我們的產品與服務仍舊像上星期、上個月或去年一樣受人歡迎。我們的能力絲毫無損。但是，維持現狀、保護狹隘的利益集團、推遲困難的抉擇的時代無疑已成為過去。從今天起，我們必須振作起來，掃除我們身上的塵土，重新開啟再造美國的事業。

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done.The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act ― not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together.We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost.We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories.And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age.All this we can do.All this we will do.無論我們把目光投向何處，都有工作在等待著我們。經濟形勢要求我們果敢而迅速地行動，我們將不辱使命――不僅要創造新的就業機會，而且要打下新的增長基礎。我們將建造道路和橋梁，架設電網，鋪設承載我們的商務和把我們緊密相連的電子通訊網絡。我們將恢復尊重科學的傳統，利用高新技術的超常潛力提高醫療保健質量并降低成本。我們將利用太陽能、風力和地熱為車輛和工廠提供能源。我們將改造我們的中小學和高等院校，以應對新時代的挑戰。這一切我們都能做到。這一切我們必將做到。

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions ― who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans.Their memories are short.For they have forgotten what this country has already done;what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.現在，有人懷疑我們的雄心壯志――他們說我們的體制不能承受太多的宏偉規劃。他們的記憶是短暫的，因為他們忘記了這個國家已經取得的成就，忘記了一旦共同的目標插上理想的翅膀、現實的要求鼓起勇氣的風帆，自由的人民就會爆發出無窮的創造力。

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them ― that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply.The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works ― whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified.Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward.Where the answer is no, programs will end.Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account ― to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day ― because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.那些冷眼旁觀的人沒有認識到他們腳下的大地已經移動――那些長期以來空耗我們的精力的陳腐政治觀點已經過時。我們今天提出的問題不是我們的政府太大還是太小，而是它是否行之有效――它是否能夠幫助人們找到報酬合理的就業機會，是否能夠為他們提供費用適度的醫療保健服務，是否能夠確保他們在退休后不失尊嚴。如果回答是肯定的，我們就要向前推進。如果回答是否定的，計劃和項目必須終止。作為公共資金的管理者，我們必須承擔責任――明智地使用資金，拋棄壞習慣，在陽光下履行職責――因為只有這樣我們才能恢復人民對政府的至關重要的信任。

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill.Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control ― and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity;on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart ― not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.我們提出的問題也不在于市場力量是替天行道還是為虎作倀。市場在生成財富和傳播自由方面具有無與倫比的力量，但這場危機提醒我們：沒有嚴格的監督，市場就會失控――如果一個國家僅僅施惠于富裕者，其富裕便不能持久。我們的經濟成功從來不是僅僅依賴國內總產值的規模，而是還依賴繁榮的普及，即為每一位愿意致富的人提供機會的能力――不是通過施舍――因為這才是最可靠的共同富裕之路。

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.Our founding fathers...our found fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations.Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake.And so to all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.至于我們的共同防御，我們決不接受安全與理念不可兩全的荒謬論點。建國先賢面對我們難以想見的險惡局面，起草了一部保障法治和人權的憲章，一部子孫后代以自己的鮮血使之更加完美的憲章。今天，這些理念仍然照耀著世界，我們不會為一時之利而棄之。因此，對于今天正在觀看此情此景的其他各國人民和政府──從最繁華的首都到我父親出生的小村莊──我們希望他們了解：凡追求和平與尊嚴的國家以及每一位男人、婦女和兒童，美國是你們的朋友。我們已經做好準備，再一次走在前面。

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please.Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use;our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.回顧過去，幾代人在戰勝法西斯主義和共產主義時依靠的不僅僅是導彈和坦克，更是牢固的聯盟和不渝的信念。他們懂得單憑實力無法保護我們的安全，實力也并不賦予我們隨心所欲的權利。相反，他們知道審慎使用實力會使我們更強大；我們的安全源于事業的正義性、典范的感召力、以及謙卑和克制的平衡作用。

We are the keepers of this legacy.Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort ― even greater cooperation and understanding between nations.We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet.We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken;you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.我們是這一傳統的繼承者。我們只要從新以這些原則為指導，就能應對那些新威脅，為此必須付出更大的努力──推動國家間更多的合作與理解。我們將開始以負責任的方式把伊拉克移交給伊拉克人民，并在阿富汗鞏固來之不易的和平。我們將與多年的朋友和昔日的對手一道不懈地努力，減輕核威脅，扭轉全球變暖的厄運。我們不會在價值觀念上退縮，也不會動搖捍衛它的決心，對于那些妄圖以煽動恐怖和屠殺無辜的手段達到其目的的人，我們現在就告訴你們，我們的意志更加頑強、堅不可摧；你們無法拖垮我們，我們必將戰勝你們。

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus ― and non-believers.We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth;and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass;that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve;that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself;and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.因為我們知道，我們百衲而成的傳統是一種優勢，而不是劣勢。我們是一個由基督教徒和穆斯林、猶太教徒和印度教徒、以及無宗教信仰者組成的國家。我們受惠于地球上四面八方每一種語言和文化的影響。由于我們飲過南北戰爭和種族隔離的苦水，走出了那個黑暗時代并變得更加堅強和團結，我們不能不相信昔日的仇恨終有一天會成為過去；部族之間的界線很快會消失；隨著世界變得越來越小，我們共同的人性將得到彰顯；美國必須為迎來一個和平的新紀元發揮自己的作用。

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West ― know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history;but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.面對穆斯林世界，我們尋求一條新的前進道路，以共同利益和相互尊重為基礎。對于世界上那些妄圖制造矛盾、將自己社會的弊端歸罪于西方的領導人，我們奉勸你們：你們的人民將以你們的建設成就而不是你們的毀滅能力來評判你們。對于那些依靠腐敗、欺騙、壓制不同意見等手段固守權勢的人，我們提醒你們：你們站在了歷史錯誤的一邊；但只要你們放棄壓迫，我們將伸手相助。

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow;to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders;nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect.For the world has changed, and we must change with it.對于貧困國家的人民，我們保證同你們并肩努力，為你們的農田帶來豐收，讓清潔的用水取之不竭；使饑餓的身體得以飽食，使饑渴的心靈受到滋潤。對于那些象我們一樣比較富裕的國家，我們要說我們再不能對他人的苦難無動于衷，也再不能肆意消耗世界的資源。世界已經改變，我們必須與時俱進。

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains.They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service;a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves.And yet, at this moment ― a moment that will define a generation ― it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.在思索我們面前的道路時，我們懷著崇敬的心情感謝此刻正在偏遠的沙漠和山區巡邏的英勇無畏的美國人。他們向我們述說著什么，正如在阿靈頓公墓長眠的陣亡英雄在漫漫歲月中低淺的吟誦。我們崇敬他們，不僅因為他們捍衛著我們的自由，而且因為他們代表著獻身精神，體現了超越個人，尋求遠大理想的意愿。然而，在這個時刻，這個具有劃時代意義的時刻，我們大家必須具備的正是這種精神。

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies.It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours.It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.雖然政府能有許多作為也必須有許多作為，但最終離不開美國人民的信仰和決心，這便是我國的立國之本。正是因為人們在大堤崩裂時接納陌生人的關愛之情，正是因為工人們寧愿減少自己的工時而不愿看到朋友失去工作的無私精神，才使我們度過了最暗淡的時光。正是因為消防隊員們有勇氣沖進濃煙滾滾的樓道，也正是因為做父母的希望培養一個孩子，我們才能決定最后的命運。Our challenges may be new.The instruments with which we meet them may be new.But those values upon which our success depends ― hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism ― these things are old.These things are true.They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history.What is demanded then is a return to these truths.What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility ― a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.我們面臨的挑戰可能前所未聞。我們迎接挑戰的方式也可能前所未有。然而，我們賴以成功的價值觀──誠實和勤奮、勇氣和公平、寬容心和探索精神、忠誠和愛國 ──均由來以久。這些價值觀都是千真萬確的。這些價值觀是我國整個歷史過程中一股無聲的進步力量。現在需要的便是重歸這些真理。我們現在需要做的是開創負責任的新時代──每一位美國人都需要認識到我們對自己、對國家、對全世界都承擔著義務。對于這些義務，我們并非勉強接受，而是心甘情愿主動承擔，同時堅信我們為艱巨的使命付出一切，沒有任何事可以如此滿足我們的道義感，也沒有任何事能如此體現我們的特性。

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.這就是公民的義務和承諾。

This is the source of our confidence ― the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.這就是我們自信的來源──認識到上帝呼喚我們在前途不明的情況下掌握自己的命運。

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed ― why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent Mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.這就是我們的自由和我們堅守的信條具有的意義──說明了為什么各種族、各類信仰的男女老少能在這個雄偉的大草坪上歡聚一堂，也說明了為什么今天有人能站在這里進行最莊嚴的宣誓，但他的父親在不到60年前還不能在當地餐館受到接待。

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled.In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river.The capital was abandoned.The enemy was advancing.The snow was stained with blood.At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people: “Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet(it).” 為此，讓我們記住這一天，記住我們是什么樣的人，記住我們已經走過了多長的路。在美利堅誕生的年月，在那些最寒冷的日子里，為數不多的愛國者聚集在一條冰河的岸邊，身旁的篝火即將熄滅。首都已經撤防。敵人正在進軍。雪地沾滿了斑斑血跡。在我們的革命何去何從，結局最難以估計的時刻，我國的開國元勛決定向人民宣讀以下這段話： “讓我們昭告未來的世界......在這個酷寒的冬季，萬物一片蕭蘇，只有希望和美德堅忍不拔的時候......這個城市和這個國家，受到共同危難的召喚，挺身而出，奮起迎戰。”

America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words.With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come.Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter;and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.美利堅，在我們面臨共同危難之際，在我們遇到艱難險阻的冬日，讓我們牢記這些永恒的話語。心懷希望和美德，讓我們再一次迎著寒風中流擊水，不論什么風暴來襲，必將堅不可摧。今后，讓我們的后代子孫如此評說：我們在遇到考驗的時候沒有半途而廢，沒有退縮不前，也沒有絲毫動搖；讓我們全神貫注于前方的目標，感謝上帝對我們的恩典，繼承自由這個寶貴的傳統，世代相傳，永志不忘。

Thank you.God bless you.And God bless the United States of America.謝謝。上帝保佑你們。天佑美國。