克林頓的第二次就職演說(3)
To renew America, we must meet challenges abroad as well at home. There is no longer division between what is foreign and what is domestic; the world economy, the world environment, the world AIDS crisis, the world arms race; they affect us all.
為了振興美國,我們必須迎接來自國內(nèi)、國外的種種挑戰(zhàn)。在什么是國外和什么是國內(nèi)之間已不再有明確的界線。全球經(jīng)濟(jì)、全球環(huán)境、全球艾滋病危機(jī)和全球軍備競賽,這一切影響著所有的人。
Today, as an old order passes, the new world is more free but less stable. Communism's collapse has called forth old animosities and new dangers. Clearly America must continue to lead the world we did so much to make.
今天,隨著舊秩序被打破,新的世界更加自由,但又更加不穩(wěn)定。共產(chǎn)主義的崩潰激起了舊的仇恨和新的危險。顯然,美國必須繼續(xù)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)這個我們曾經(jīng)付出巨大努力而創(chuàng)造的世界。
While America rebuilds at home, we will not shrink from the challenges, nor fail to seize the opportunities, of this new world. Together with our friends and allies, we will work to shape change, lest it engulf us.
當(dāng)我們致力于重建美國的時候,我們不會在這個新世界的挑戰(zhàn)面前退縮,也不會坐失良機(jī)。我們將同我們的朋友和盟國一道,努力確定改革和發(fā)展方向,以免被改革所吞沒。
When our vital interests are challenged, or the will and conscience of the international community is defied, we will act; with peaceful diplomacy when ever possible, with force when necessary. The brave Americans serving our nation today in the Persian Gulf, in Somalia, and wherever else they stand are testament to our resolve.
當(dāng)我們的國家利益受到挑戰(zhàn),或者國際社會的意志及公德遭到蔑視的時候,我們將盡可能地通過和平外交手段去解決。必要時也可以訴諸武力。今天,在波斯灣,在索馬里,在其他地方,那些為國效力的美國勇士們都證明了我們的決心。
But our greatest strength is the power of our ideas, which are still new in many lands. Across the world, we see them embraced, and we rejoice. Our hopes, our hearts, our hands, are with those on every continent who are building democracy and freedom. Their cause is America's cause.
然而,我們最大的實力是我們的思想力量。在許多國家,美國的思想還是一種新生力量??吹竭@些思想為世界各國所接受,我們感到由衷的高興。我們的希望、我們的心,我們的手,同五大洲正在建設(shè)民主和自由的人民是聯(lián)在一起的。他們的事業(yè)就是美國的事業(yè)。
The American people have summoned the change we celebrate today. You have raised your voices in an unmistakable chorus. You have cast your votes in historic numbers. And you have changed the face of Congress, the
presidency and the political process itself. Yes, you, my fellow Americans have forced the spring. Now, we must do the work the season demands.
美國人民呼喚我們今天慶祝的變革。你們異口同聲地提高了自己的呼聲。你們以前所未有的人數(shù)參加了投票。你們改變了國會、總統(tǒng)以及政治進(jìn)程本身的面貌。同胞們,是的,你們已經(jīng)促使春天提前到來了?,F(xiàn)在,我們必須致力于這個時期所賦予我們的任務(wù)。
To that work I now turn, with all the authority of my office. I ask the Congress to join with me. But no president, no Congress, no government, can undertake this mission alone. My fellow Americans, you, too, must play your part in our renewal. I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a season of
service; to act on your idealism by helping troubled children, keeping company with those in need, reconnecting our torn communities. There is so much to be done; enough indeed for millions of others who are still young in spirit to give of themselves in service, too.
為了這個任務(wù),我將充分行使我的職權(quán)。我請求國會同我合作。但是,任何一位總統(tǒng),任何一個國會,任何一屆政府,都無法獨自承擔(dān)這一使命。同胞們,你們也必須在國家的振興中發(fā)揮作用。我要求新一代美國青年按照你們的理想行動起來,幫助困難兒童,同患難者休戚與共,把我們這個四分五裂的社會重新凝為一體,為祖國貢獻(xiàn)你們的力量。要做的事情太多——確實足以使千百萬精神上依然年輕的其他人也投身其中。
In serving, we recognize a simple but powerful truth, we need each other. And we must care for one another. Today, we do more than celebrate America; we rededicate ourselves to the very idea of America.
在振興祖國的事業(yè)中,我們認(rèn)識到一個簡單而強(qiáng)有力的真理。我們不僅彼此需要,還必須相互關(guān)心。今天,我們不只是在慶祝美國,而且是在重新獻(xiàn)身于美國的思想。
An idea born in revolution and renewed through two centuries of challenge. An idea tempered by the knowledge that, but for fate we, the fortunate and the unfortunate, might have been each other. An idea ennobled by the faith that our nation can summon from its myriad diversity the deepest measure of unity. An idea infused with the conviction that America's long heroic journey must go forever upward.
這種思想是一種在革命中誕生、經(jīng)過兩個世紀(jì)的挑戰(zhàn)而獲得新生的思想。一種經(jīng)受過這種認(rèn)識錘煉的思想,即我們這些幸運者和不幸者,若非因為命運的安排,可能已經(jīng)變換位置。一種因為這種信念而變得崇高的思想,即相信我們的國家能夠從無數(shù)的分歧中求得最大程度的團(tuán)結(jié)一致。一種充滿信心的思想,即相信美國漫長而英勇的旅程定會永遠(yuǎn)向上。
And so, my fellow Americans, at the edge of the 21st century, let us begin with energy and hope, with faith and discipline, and let us work until our work is done. The scripture says, "And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not."
為此,同胞們,在即將跨入21世紀(jì)的時候,讓我們重新開始,鼓起勇氣、滿懷希望、堅定信念、遵守紀(jì)律,把我們的事業(yè)進(jìn)行到底?!妒ソ?jīng)》說:“我們行善,不可喪志,只要堅持,終有收獲。”
From this joyful mountaintop of celebration, we hear a call to service in the valley. We have heard the trumpets. We have changed the guard. And now, each in our way, and with God's help, we must answer the call.
在這個歡慶的高山之巔,我們聽到山谷里傳來為國效力的召喚。我們聽到了號聲。我們已經(jīng)換崗?,F(xiàn)在,我們每個人都必須以自己的方式在上帝的幫助下響應(yīng)這一號召。
Thank you, and God bless you all.
謝謝你們。愿上帝保佑大家。