第一篇：奥巴马总统在南非前总统曼德拉追悼会上的悼辞
Barack Obama：Remarks at Memorial Service for Former South African President Nelson Mandela
巴拉克•奥巴马在在南非前总统曼德拉追悼会上的悼辞
Delivered December 10, 2013, First National Bank Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 2013年12月10日发表于南非约翰内斯堡国家第一银行运动场
张少军译、校
Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you so much.Thank you.To Graça 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.谢谢你们！非常感谢你们！谢谢各位！格拉萨•马歇尔（莫桑比克前总统马歇尔遗孀、曼德拉的最后一任妻子）、曼德拉家族成员、祖马总统和政府成员、各国或各政府的前任或现任首脑、尊敬的各位嘉宾：今天能和你们一起来纪念一位非凡的人是一种难得的荣誉。南非人民——各种族各行业的南非人：世界感谢你们和我们一起分享曼德拉。他的奋斗就是你们的奋斗。他的凯旋就是你们的凯旋。你们的尊严与希望在他的生命中找到了最好的表达，你们的自由与民主政体是他最宝贵的遗产。
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.颂扬一个人其实很难——光凭言语，不仅要捕捉那些造就一个生命的事实与岁月，更要描绘一个人的本质精神，描绘那能够揭示某人灵魂的他那私密的欢乐与悲哀，他那安静的时刻与独特的品质；而要颂扬一位历史巨人，一位鼓舞一个国家走向正义并在这过程中鼓舞了全球几十亿人民的巨人，更是难上加难。Born during World War I, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by the elders of his Thembu tribe, Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century.Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement--a movement that at its start had little prospect for success.Like Dr.King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed and the moral necessity of racial justice.He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War.Emerging from prison, without the force of arms, he would--like Abraham Lincoln--hold his country together when it threatened to break apart.And like America’s Founding Fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations--a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power after only one term.出生于第一次世界大战期间，远离权力的中心，在放牧牲口中长大，在坦布部落长者的教导下成人，马迪巴(部落长者给曼德拉的荣誉头衔，后来成了曼德拉的同义词)将成为20世纪最后一位伟大的解放者。如同甘地，他将领导一个反抗运动——一个开始时几乎看不到成功前景的运动；如同马丁•路德•金博士，他为被压迫者为种族平等的道德必要性发出有力的声音；他将忍受残酷的监禁，从肯尼迪与赫鲁晓夫的时代开始，直到冷战的结束；出狱后，放弃武力，如同亚伯拉罕•林肯，他将把他面临分裂威胁的国家团结在一起；如同美国的开国领袖们，他将建立宪政秩序为未来的世世代代保有自由——不仅通过选举执政，而且通过一届总统任期后的自愿放弃权力，来信守他对民主和法治的承诺。
Given the sweep of his life, the scope of his accomplishments, the adoration that he so rightly earned, it’s tempting I think to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men.But Madibahimself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait.(Applause.)Instead, Madiba insisted on sharing with us his doubts and his fears;his miscalculations along with his victories.“I am not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”
鉴于他旋风般的一生、他生平成就的高度、他理应赢得的爱戴，我想，建一座平静微笑的、区别于一般人俗艳浮夸的雕像来纪念纳尔逊•曼德拉，应该是一个诱人的想法。然而曼德拉本人强烈反对这样一种毫无生气的雕像。反之，曼德拉坚持与我们一起分享他的怀疑与畏惧，以及伴随着胜利的他的失误。“我不是圣人，”他说，“除非你们认为圣人就是一个不断努力的罪犯。”
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.正因为他能够承认自身的不完美，他是那样充满幽默感，所以他即便身负重任依然是那样淘气——而我们也喜欢他这样。他不是大理石雕制的半身像，他是一个有血有肉的人——一个儿子、一个丈夫、一个父亲、一位朋友。这就是为什么，我们从他身上学到如此之多；这就是为什么，我们依然要向他学习。他所取得的成功，没有一样是必然发生的。在他生命的轨迹中，我们认识到一个人是如何凭借奋斗、机敏、坚持与信念来赢得自己在历史上的地位。他告诉我们，那些关于何事具有可能性的知识，不单写在历史课本上，也写在我们的生活实践中。
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.曼德拉向我们显示了行动的力量以及为理想而甘冒风险的力量。也许曼德拉是对的，当他说到他从父亲那里继承了“一种生气勃勃的叛逆精神，一种不屈不挠的正义感”。当他说到他与数百万黑人及南非有色人种共同的愤怒——一种产生于无数侮辱、无数轻蔑、无数被遗忘时刻的愤怒，一种反抗那禁锢了我的人民的制度的愿望。”（我怀疑原文此处有错：And we know与he said应删去一处）
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.)但是像“非国大”的早期领导人西苏禄与坦博一样，马迪巴压抑他的怒火，把他战斗的渴望导入组织、论坛以及行动策略的研究，以便人们能够挺身而出，维护他们与生俱来的尊严。更重要的是，他承担行动的后果，知道挺身而出反对强大的利益集团与社会不公必然付出代价。“我反对白人专政也反对黑人专政。我珍视民主与自由社会的理想——在那里，所有人和谐共处、机会平等。这是一个我希望能活着实现的理想；然而如果必要，我也准备为之牺牲。”
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.)曼德拉告诉我们行动的力量，也告诉我们理想的力量。他告诉我们推理与辩论的重要，也告诉我们学习的必要——不仅向那些与我们志同道合的人学习，也向那些与我们意见不同的人学习。他懂得，监狱的大墙关不住信念，狙击手的子弹杀不死信念。他能够把对自己的审判转变成对种族隔离政策的控诉，不仅因为他的雄辩与激情，也得益于他作为一个演说家的训练。他用被监禁的几十年时间来磨砺淬炼他的辩论技巧，他还把自己对知识的渴望传递给运动中的其他人。他学习他的压迫者的语言与习惯，以便有一天能够更好地告诉他们，压迫者自身的自由其实奠基于他的自由之上。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.”
曼德拉证明，仅有行动与想法是不够的。不管有多么正确，它们必须形成法律与制度。他是一个注重实践的人，他总是让自己的信仰接受现实与历史的检验。他在核心原则上是绝不动摇的，这就是为什么他能拒绝“无条件释放”的提议，提醒种族隔离政权“囚犯不能订立契约”。
But as he showed in painstaking negotiations to transfer power and draft new laws, he was not afraid to compromise for the sake of a larger goal.And because he was not only a leader of a movement but a skillful politician, the Constitution that emerged was worthy of this multiracial democracy, true to his vision of laws that protect minority as well as majority rights, and the precious freedoms of every South African.然而正如他在权力移交和法律起草的艰苦谈判中所显示的那样，他从不害怕为了更远大的目标而退让妥协。而也正因为他不仅是一个群众运动的领导者，更是一位精明干练的政治家；所以后来形成的南非《宪法》不仅与南非多民族民主政体相称，也符合曼德拉关于法律的愿景——法律要像保护多数人的权利一样保护少数人的权利，保护每一个南非人宝贵的自由。
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.说到底，曼德拉意识到那维系人类精神的纽带。南非有一个词叫“乌班图”(Ubuntu，意为“人道对待他人”)，这个词其实就体现了曼德拉最伟大的天赋——他承认有一条看不见的纽带把人类联系在一起，他认识到人性是统一的——我们只有和其他人分享自我并关心周围的人，我们才能最终实现与完成自我。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.我们永远不会知道这种意识有多少得自天赋，有多少成型于黑暗与孤独的牢狱；但我们都记得他那大大小小的种种姿态——他在总统就职典礼上像介绍贵宾一样介绍他的看守；他穿上跳羚队的球衣为橄榄球比赛（它在南非被视为白人运动，足球则被视为黑人运动）开球；他将痛失亲人的悲伤化为防治艾滋病的呼吁——这显示了他怜悯与理解所达到的深度。他不仅将“乌班图”具体化，还教导千百万人寻求他们内心深处的良知。
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.正是出于“乌图班”精神，像“马迪巴”这样的人才能让囚犯和看守同获自由——它昭示你必须信任别人，别人才可能信任你的道理；它告诫人们，和解并不是无视那悲惨的过去，而是以包容、慷慨和真诚来面对它。他不仅改变了法律，而且教化了人心。
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.对于南非人民，对于被他所激励的全世界人民，“马迪巴”的辞世的确是一个悲恸的时刻，一个赞美他英勇一生的时刻。但我相信，它还应当是一个促使我们每个人反省的时刻。不论我们的身分地位或生活处境，我们都必须坦诚自问：在自己的生活中，在践行他的教诲方面我做得有多好？这就是我向自己提出的问题——作为一个普通人，也作为一位总统。
We know that, like South Africa, the United States had to overcome centuries of racial subjugation.As was true here, it took sacrifice--the sacrifice of countless people, known and unknown, to see the dawn of a new day.Michelle and I are beneficiaries of that struggle.(Applause.)But in America, and in South Africa, and in countries all around the globe, we cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not yet done.我们都知道，像南非一样，美国也必须克服那延续了几个世纪的种族压迫。像南非一样，它必以牺牲为代价——为了新世纪曙光的照临，无数知名与不知名的人作出了牺牲。米歇尔和我是他们奋斗的受益者。然而，在美国、在南非、在全世界所有国家，我们都不能因为已有的进步而无视我们的工作尚未完成这一事实。
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.)在追求形式平等或普遍的公民权利方面取得胜利之后，斗争可能不像过去那样充满戏剧性，道义上也不像过去那样泾渭分明，但其重要性依然不减半分。因为，今天，在世界各地，我们依然看到忍受饥饿和病痛的孩子，依然看到破败不堪的学校，依然看到找不到未来的青年。今天，在世界各地，人们依然由于其政治信仰而被监禁，依然由于他们的外貌、宗教和性爱选择而受迫害。这种情况，今天依然在持续发生。
And so we, too, must act on behalf of justice.We, too, must act on behalf of peace.There are too many people who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality.There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people.(Applause.)And there are too many of us on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.因此，我们也必须为正义而行动，我们也必须为和平而行动。有太多的人欣然拥抱“马迪巴”的种族和解遗产，却热衷于抵制最温和的改革——那旨在减少旷日持久的贫困和日益扩大的贫富差距的改革；有太多的领导人声称支持“马迪巴”争取自由的斗争，却不能容忍本国人民有任何异议；我们中间有太多人，在必须发出声音的时候袖手旁观，悠然自得于自己的安逸或犬儒。
The questions we face today--how to promote equality and justice;how to uphold freedom and human rights;how to end conflict and sectarian war--these things do not have easy answers.But there were no easy answers in front of that child born in World War I.Nelson Mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until it is done.South Africa shows that is true.South Africa shows we can change, that we can choose a world defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes.We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity.我们今天面临的问题——如何促进平等和正义、如何支持自由和人权、如何制止冲突和宗派战争——这些问题都没有简单的答案；但是，在那个出生于一次世界大战期间的孩子面前也没有。纳尔逊·曼德拉提醒我们，一项事业在它成功之前看起来总是希望渺茫。南非证明他说得对。南非证明，我们能够变革，我们能够选择一个不是由我们的差异而是由我们的共同希望所定义的世界。我们能够选择一个不是由冲突而是由和平、正义和机会所定义的世界。
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.我们不会再看到像纳尔逊·曼德拉一样的人。但是，请允许我对非洲的年轻人和全世界的年轻人说，你们一样能够把他毕生的事业当作自己的事业。三十多年前，当我还是一名学生时，我了解到纳尔逊·曼德拉以及在这片美丽的土地上进行的斗争，它搅动了我内心的某种情愫。它唤醒了我对他人和自己的责任，它使我踏上了一个似乎毫无希望的旅程，正是它让我今天站在这里。尽管我永远不能企及“马迪巴”典范的高度；然而是他让我努力成为一个更好的人。他表达了我们内心最好的自己。
After this great liberator is laid to rest, and when we have returned to our cities and villages and rejoined our daily routines, let us search for his strength.Let us search for his largeness of spirit somewhere inside of ourselves.And when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy on our hearts, when our best-laid plans seem beyond our reach, let us think of Madiba and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of his cell: “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
在这位伟大的解放者长眠之后，当我们返回各自的城市与村庄返回我们庸常的工作生活之时，让我们去探寻他的力量，让我们从内心深处去发掘他博大宽厚的精神。当夜色渐浓，当非正义沉重地压在我们的心头，当我们精心打造的计划看来不能实现，让我们想想“马迪巴”以及他身陷囹圄时给他安慰的诗句：“不管监狱之门如何狭窄，不管罪名刑罚如何深重，我是我命运的主宰：我是我灵魂的船长。”
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.)这是多么高贵的灵魂。我们将深深地怀念他。愿上帝保佑我们对纳尔逊•曼德拉的记忆。愿上帝保佑南非人民。
第二篇：奥巴马总统在曼德拉追悼会上的致辞
Remarks by President Obama at Memorial Service for Former South African President Nelson Mandela奥巴马总统在悼念南非前总统纳尔逊∙曼德拉的仪式上的讲话
First National Bank Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
第一国家银行体育场，南非，约翰内斯堡
December 10, 2013
2013年12月10日
Thank you.(Applause.)Thank you so much.Thank you.To Graça 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.谢谢诸位。(掌声)多谢诸位。谢谢你们。格拉萨·马谢尔及曼德拉的家人;祖马(Zuma)总统和政府成员;各国历任和现任国家元首和政府首脑;尊敬的来宾们—今天与你们在一起，赞颂这独异于人的一生，是一种至高无上的荣耀。南非人民——(掌声)——各族裔和各行各业的人民——全世界感谢你们与我们共同受惠于纳尔逊∙曼德拉。他进行的斗争就是你们的斗争。他的胜利就是你们的胜利。你们的尊严和你们的希望在他的一生中得到体现。你们的自由、你们的民主，是他宝贵的遗产。
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.概括任何人的生死荣辱都很难做到言至意达，——借助于言词，不仅罗列一生的事实和日期，而且需要揭示一个人的内心深处——他们个人的欢乐和悲伤;静默的时刻和照亮某些人灵魂的独特品质。对于名垂史册的一位伟人，曾率领一个国家追求正义，并且在这个过程中感动了全世界亿万民众，历数这一生的尊荣尤为不易。
Born during World War I, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by the elders of his Thembu tribe, Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century.Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement--a movement that at its start had little prospect for success.Like Dr.King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed and the moral necessity of racial justice.He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War.Emerging from prison, without the force of arms, he would--like Abraham Lincoln--hold his country together when it threatened to break apart.And like America’s Founding Fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations--a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power after only one term.“马迪巴”出生在第一次世界大战期间，远离权豪势要，儿时靠放牛维生，接受腾布部落长者的教诲，日后成为20世纪最后一位伟大的解放者。他与甘地一样，后来成为抵抗运动的领导人—最初很少有成功希望的一场运动。他与金博士一样，使被压迫者的诉求得到强有力的声张，为种族正义的道义使命发出了强大的声音。他经历了残酷的监禁，在肯尼迪和赫鲁晓夫时期开始身陷囹圄，直到冷战结束之时。出狱后，他在没有军队的情况下——与亚伯拉罕•林肯一样，在国家即将分裂之际维护了国家的完整。他与美国的开国元勋一样，为了保持今后世世代代的自由建立了宪法秩序——坚持民主和法治，不仅因为他的当选，而且也因为他愿意在完成一个任期后放弃权力。
Given the sweep of his life, the scope of his accomplishments, the adoration that he so rightly earned, it’s tempting I think to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men.But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait.(Applause.)Instead, Madiba insisted on sharing with us his doubts and his fears;his miscalculations along with his victories.“I am not a saint,” he said, “unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.”
纵观他的一生，回顾他取得的一切成就、他当之无愧获得的敬仰，我认为可以说纳尔逊∙曼德拉是一位彪炳青史的人物，人们应该缅怀千载。他笑容可掬，面目安详，具有常人不具备的超尘拔俗的气质。然而，“马迪巴”本人强烈抵制这种刻板的形象。(掌声)相反，“马迪巴”坚持要我们知道他的疑惑和恐惧，了解他在走向胜利的道路上做出了哪些错误的估计。“我不是圣人，”他如是说，“除非你们认为圣人也会犯错，也需要不断尝试。”
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.正是因为他承认不完美——因为他为人如此和蔼可亲，甚至还有些诙谐，尽管他经历了诸多的重负--我们才如此喜欢他。他不是大理石制作的雕像;他是有血有肉的人——儿子和丈夫，父亲和朋友。正因为如此，我们从他身上学到了很多东西。正因为如此，我们始终可以向他学习。他取得的成就没有一样是必然的结果。我们从他的一生中看到，他奋勇斗争，殚智竭虑，坚韧不拔，坚持信念，在历史上赢得了自己的地位。他告诫我们什么是可能做到的，不仅可以载入史册，而且在我们自己的生活中得到体现。
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.曼德拉向我们展示了行动的力量;为了我们的理想甘冒风险的力量。“马迪巴”也许是对的，他从他父亲那里继承了“一种骄傲不羁的叛逆精神，一种顽强执着的公平信念”。我们还知道，他同千百万南非黑人和有色人种共同怀有一种愤怒，他曾说，这种愤怒产生于“一千次轻蔑、一千次屈辱、一千个已被遗忘的时刻……一种与禁锢我的人民的制度抗争的渴望”。
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.)
同非洲人国民大会的其他早期伟人一样——如希苏拉斯和塔姆伯斯——“马迪巴”以自律来约束自己的愤怒，将自己的渴望融入为采取行动而确立组织、平台和战略的斗争中，以使男女民众能够奋起捍卫他们的天赐尊严。此外，他还接受了他所采取的行动带来的后果，知道与权势和不公抗争是要付出代价的。“我曾为反对白人统治而斗争，也曾为反对黑人统治而斗争。我一直珍藏着一个民主、自由的社会的理想，让所有人都生活在一个和谐共处、机会均等的社会中。我希望为这个理想而生并将其付诸实现。但是，如果需要，我也愿为这样一个理想献出生命。”(掌声)
第三篇：奥巴马在曼德拉追悼会上致辞
奥巴马在曼德拉追悼会上致辞
谢谢各位！非常感谢大家！首先我想向曼德拉家族成员、祖马总统、尊敬的各位各国的代表们、尊敬的各位嘉宾，我觉得我今天非常荣幸在此参加曼德拉的追悼会，来纪念这一个卓越非凡的人。
各位南非的人民们，来自各行各业的人，全世界感谢你们，让你们的国度诞生了曼德拉这位伟人，他的一生是伟大的一生，是你们的尊容。而他为你们获得了自由和民主，这是他留下的宝贵财富。我们现在难以用言语去表达我们对曼德拉的热爱，很难用一些数据、事实去描绘一个人的一生。我们用很多不同的事让我们心意相连。
在这个艰难的时刻，在历史的重要时刻，我们要让一个国家走向正义是需要突破艰难险阻的。在一家之中出生，生于权利之家，他在部落里面成长起来。曼德拉是20世纪最伟大的自由的斗士，而他引领了反非自由运动，而这个运动也获得了成功。就像马丁·路德·金博士一样，他代表那些被压迫的人们发出了声音，引领他们追求正义。而他忍受了监狱的苦难，忍受了不幸和磨难，而直到冷战终结。
在他从监狱获得自由之后，他把国家又重新团结起来，就像林肯总统那样，他是国家的缔造者，他为下一代人建立了自由的基础。而他为国家塑造起来了民主和法治的基础，而且在一任总统任期之后就自愿选择从权利的高位下退出。在他的一生当中他取得了辉煌的成就。
我们记得曼德拉是我们的偶像，是我们的领袖，他永远带着微笑，但同时他又是坚强的自强不息的斗士。但是曼德拉也与我们分享他的疑惑，还有在他的一些光辉成就当中的疑虑。他说，如果你觉得所谓的圣人就是虽然犯错但是永不放弃的人，而他也承认他的不完美。他有着幽默感，即使他身负重担但是仍然微笑着面对生活。他是有血有肉的真实的一个人，有着自己的情感，他既是一位导师，又是我们亲密的朋友，这是我们为什么从他身上学习到如此多的东西。
他的成就是卓越的，是无与伦比的，在他的一生当中我们看到了他不屈不挠的斗争，他的勇气、信仰、耐心和坚持，他向我们展示了人类的潜力，不仅是历史上一些光辉的章节，而是我们看到的实实在在的成就，他也让我们看到了行动的力量。
看到了他为理想所付出的艰辛的努力，从曼德拉身上我们看到了，他从他的父亲那里继承了勇气和不懈斗争的精神。而为成千上万的人争取尊严，即使他在监狱当中也心怀人民。就像我们历史上的巨人一样，他跨越了艰险。
曼德拉控制了愤怒，而是抛出了仇恨，让人们可以获得和解，可以重寻人的尊严。即使他面临着艰难，但是他帮助我们一同去寻求正义。他说，我为了白人的统治和黑人的统治都征战过、奋斗过、抗争过，我是希望所有的人能够平等自由的生活着。正是在这样的理想之下我们希望能够把他的精神传承下来，我会为我所热爱的人们，为他们做好风险的准备。
曼德拉向我们展示了行动的成就，他告诉了我们思考和理性的重要性，他告诉我们不仅要去坚持赞同的人，同时要去尊重他们即使反对人的意见。而且他把自己的经历作为磨炼，他把他的知识传授下去，影响他人。他在奋斗的过程当中不断地学习，这样才能够向人们展示打破了种族隔离的自由是多么宝贵和重要。
曼德拉向我们展示出了想法，仅仅有想法是不够的。不管想法有多么正确，同时也要受到法律和制度的运输。他非常实际，把自己的信仰在实践当中和历史情况当中加以实验。但是在核心价值观方面是绝不动摇的，所以说他也提醒我们即便是身处牢狱当中也可以有奋斗精神。
但是他在监狱当中仍然制订法律，而且不为了个人的利益而牺牲大的原则。而且他也创造了南非的《宪法》，创造了反种族制度的民主，保护了少数人的利益及大多数的利益，以及每一个南非人的自由权利。
最终曼德拉代表了人类精神的纽带，在南非有这样一个词，这个词其实就描绘了曼德拉最伟大的天赋，他意识到人类永远有一条看不到的纽带连接在一起，但是人性是统一的。我们在传承精神的过程当中能够实现自我，我们永远不知道这样的力量有多强，是不是这样的力量支撑他在幽暗的监狱当中坚持奋斗。但是他却在救人总统的时候向全世界人介绍他的监狱看守，他把他家人离世的心痛转化为爱滋病寻找救治方法的努力。
他不仅代表了伟大，还教会了这么多人如何在自在寻找真理。就是像曼德拉这样的人能够解放不仅是囚犯，同时能够解放看守囚犯的人。而且教会其他人如何信任自己，而且他教给我们和解不是一条残忍的道路，而是通过包容、宽大和真理来化解这些分歧，他改变了法律，也改变了人心。
对于南非的民众来说，对于那些全球范围内受过他激励的人，曼德拉的离世绝对是无比悲痛的时刻，他们都在为他哀悼，庆祝英雄般的一生。但是我相信这也是我们每个人自省的一刻，我们必须要贪嗔地面对自己，无论外界条件如何都要问自己我们有没有在自己的生活当中运用到曼德拉的精神，运用到他教给我们的品质。
我自己也在思考，作为一个总统、作为一个人，我们知道像南非那样，美国也有过种族制度的统治，我们也为此斗争和奋斗长达几十年。正是那些知名和不知名的人奋斗才有今天，我的夫人和我正是这种成果的受益者。但是在美国，还有在南非，以及全球各国，我们不能够允许我们的进步遮蔽这样的事实，就是我们的工作尚未完成，仍然任重而道远。
实现平等的路上仍然有很多工作要做，可能没有过去来的那么排山倒海，但是仍然有很多的工作要做。我们现在仍然看到孩子们忍饥挨饿死于疾病，我们看到学校被炸毁，看到年轻人完全看不到未来的希望，在世界各国我们看到有许多人仍然因为他们的政治信仰而入狱。
仍然因为他们的宗教信仰，因为他们的兴趣，因为他们所爱的人而蒙受牢狱之灾，现在这种情况仍然在发生。所以我们也必须为了公正而战，为公正而行动，为和平而行动。现在还有太多的人没有能够获得曼德拉所取得的成就的问责，他们仍然经受着种族歧视的煎熬，仍然生活在水深火热贫困当中。
曼德拉致力于自由，有很多领导说是维护曼德拉的价值观，但是却不能够宽容的对待他们自己的民众。而我们有很多人在边线当中生活，我们就坐在一旁，却没有发出自己的声音。我们的声音必须要听到我们当前面临的问题，比如说推动和平和公正，如何推动自由和人权，如何结束纷争以及战争。这一些问题不好解答，也不好解决，但是很多问题都不好解答。比如说在一战当中出生了曼德拉，也业面临着那么多的难题，但是他却会在解决问题之前不断地奋斗，直到一切解决为止。
南非展示给我们，我们可以变化，我们可以建造这样一个世界，根基不是我们之间的差异，而是我们之间的共同点；不是纷争，而是机会和和平。我们无法再见到曼德拉了，但是我想告诉南非的年轻人，以及世界各国的年轻人。你们也可以使他的人生变成你们自己的。
在三十年前我还是一个学生，我学习了曼德拉的事迹了，了解了他在南非国土上所做出的奋斗。当时点燃了我身体当中的某些信念，使我想到了我的责任对我自己和其他人的责任，使我踏上这样一条旅程，一直到我今天所在的位置。我永远无法成为像曼德拉那样伟大的人，但是他让我想成为更好的人。他能唤醒我们每个人心中最美好的部分。
他这个伟大的自由斗士已然安息，我们会回到各自的生活和工作岗位，重新开始我们的日常生活。在这个过程当中让我们继续找寻他的力量，找寻他伟大的精神，就在我们自己的心中，在我们自己的体内找到他的这种精神。当我们的心上仍然受到不公正的负担，似乎美好的远景无法实现，在这些时候让我们想想曼德拉，还有他刻在监狱墙壁上的字。不管惩罚多么严厉，我仍然会掌握我自己的命运，我是我灵魂的船长，多么伟大的灵魂啊。我们深切地思念他，愿上帝保佑曼德拉的灵魂，愿上帝保佑南非民众！
曼德拉给予人们的启示：曼德拉的伟大在于他的对南非这个国家的民族融合所做的伟大贡献，在曼德拉担任总统之前，南非的种族歧视是很严重的，曼德拉的伟大在于他不但解除了这种及其不人道的种族歧视，而且化解了民族矛盾：“要尊重别人（别的民族、人种）的生存权利！”
第四篇：美国总统奥巴马在曼德拉追悼会上的致辞
美国总统奥巴马在曼德拉追悼会上的致辞 谢谢各位！非常感谢大家！首先我想向曼德拉家族成员、祖马总统、尊敬的各位各国的代表们、尊敬的各位嘉宾，我觉得我今天非常荣幸在此参加曼德拉的追悼会，来纪念这一个卓越非凡的人。
各位南非的人民们，来自各行各业的人，全世界感谢你们，让你们的国度诞生了曼德拉这位伟人，他的一生是伟大的一生，是你们的尊容。而他为你们获得了自由和民主，这是他留下的宝贵财富。我们现在难以用言语去表达我们对曼德拉的热爱，很难用一些数据、事实去描绘一个人的一生。我们用很多不同的事让我们心意相连。
在这个艰难的时刻，在历史的重要时刻，我们要让一个国家走向正义是需要突破艰难险阻的。在一家之中出生，生于权利之家，他在部落里面成长起来。曼德拉是20世纪最伟大的自由的斗士，而他引领了反非自由运动，而这个运动也获得了成功。就像马丁.路德.金博士一样，他代表那些被压迫的人们发出了声音，引领他们追求正义。而他忍受了监狱的苦难，忍受了不幸和磨难，而直到冷战终结。
在他从监狱获得自由之后，他把国家又重新团结起来，就像林肯 总统那样，他是国家的缔造者，他为下一代人建立了自由的基础。而他为国家塑造起来了民主和法治的基础，而且在一任总统任期之后就自愿选择从权利的高位下退出。在他的一生当中他取得了辉煌的成就。
我们记得曼德拉是我们的偶像，是我们的领袖，他永远带着微笑，但同时他又是坚强的自强不息的斗士。但是曼德拉也与我们分享他的疑惑，还有在他的一些光辉成就当中的疑虑。他说，如果你觉得所谓的圣人就是虽然犯错但是永不放弃的人，而他也承认他的不完美。他有着幽默感，即使他身负重担但是仍然微笑着面对生活。他是有血有肉的真实的一个人，有着自己的情感，他既是一位导师，又是我们亲密的朋友，这是我们为什么从他身上学习到如此多的东西。
他的成就是卓越的，是无与伦比的，在他的一生当中我们看到了他不屈不挠的斗争，他的勇气、信仰、耐心和坚持，他向我们展示了人类的潜力，不仅是历史上一些光辉的章节，而是我们看到的实实在在的成就，他也让我们看到了行动的力量。看到了他为理想所付出的艰辛的努力，从曼德拉身上我们看到了，他从他的父亲那里继承了勇气和不懈斗争的精神。而为成千上万的人争取尊严，即使他在监狱当中也心怀人民。就像我们历史上的巨人一样，他跨越了艰险。
曼德拉控制了愤怒，而是抛出了仇恨，让人们可以获得和解，可以重寻人的尊严。即使他面临着艰难，但是他帮助我们一同去寻求正义。他说，我为了白人的统治和黑人的统治都征战过、奋斗过、抗争过，我是希望所有的人能够平等自由的生活着。正是在这样的理想之下我们希望能够把他的精神传承下来，我会为我所热爱的人们，为他们做好风险的准备。
曼德拉向我们展示了行动的成就，他告诉了我们思考和理性的重要性，他告诉我们不仅要去坚持赞同的人，同时要去尊重他们即使反对人的意见。而且他把自己的经历作为磨炼，他把他的知识传授下去，影响他人。他在奋斗的过程当中不断地学习，这样才能够向人们展示打破了种族隔离的自由是多么宝贵和重要。
曼德拉向我们展示出了想法，仅仅有想法是不够的。不管想法有多么正确，同时也要受到法律和制度的运输。他非常实际，把自己的信仰在实践当中和历史情况当中加以实验。但是在核心价值观方面是绝不动摇的，所以说他也提醒我们即便是身处牢狱当中也可以有奋斗精神。但是他在监狱当中仍然制订法律，而且不为了个人的利益而牺牲大的原则。而且他也创造了南非的《宪法》，创造了反种族制度的民主，保护了少数人的利益及大多数的利益，以及每一个南非人的自由权利。
最终曼德拉代表了人类精神的纽带，在南非有这样一个词，这个词其实就描绘了曼德拉最伟大的天赋，他意识到人类永远有一条看不到的纽带连接在一起，但是人性是统一的。我们在传承精神的过程当中能够实现自我，我们永远不知道这样的力量有多强，是不是这样的力量支撑他在幽暗的监狱当中坚持奋斗。但是他却在救人总统的时候向全世界人介绍他的监狱看守，他把他家人离世的心痛转化为爱滋病寻找救治方法的努力。他不仅代表了伟大，还教会了这么多人如何在自在寻找真理。就是像曼德拉这样的人能够解放不仅是囚犯，同时能够解放看守囚犯的人。而且教会其他人如何信任自己，而且他教给我们和解不是一条残忍的道路，而是通过包容、宽大和真理来化解这些分歧，他改变了法律，也改变了人心。
对于南非的民众来说，对于那些全球范围内受过他激励的人，曼德拉的离世绝对是无比悲痛的时刻，他们都在为他哀悼，庆祝英雄般的一生。但是我相信这也是我们每个人自省的一刻，我们必须要贪嗔地面对自己，无论外界条件如何都要问自己我们有没有在自己的生活当中运用到曼德拉的精神，运用到他教给我们的品质。我自己也在思考，作为一个总统、作为一个人，我们知道像南非那样，美国也有过种族制度的统治，我们也为此斗争和奋斗长达几十年。正是那些知名和不知名的人奋斗才有今天，我的夫人和我正是这种成果的受益者。但是在美国，还有在南非，以及全球各国，我们不能够允许我们的进步遮蔽这样的事实，就是我们的工作尚未完成，仍然任重而道远。实现平等的路上仍然有很多工作要做，可能没有过去来的那么排山倒海，但是仍然有很多的工作要做。我们现在仍然看到孩子们忍饥挨饿死于疾病，我们看到学校被炸毁，看到年轻人完全看不到未来的希望，在世界各国我们看到有许多人仍然因为他们的政治信仰而入狱。仍然因为他们的宗教信仰，因为他们的兴趣，因为他们所爱的人而蒙受牢狱之灾，现在这种情况仍然在发生。所以我们也必须为了公正而战，为公正而行动，为和平而行动。现在还有太多的人没有能够获得曼德拉所取得的成就的问责，他们仍然经受着种族歧视的煎熬，仍然生活在水深火热贫困当中。
曼德拉致力于自由，有很多领导说是维护曼德拉的价值观，但是却不能够宽容的对待他们自己的民众。而我们有很多人在边线当中生活，我们就坐在一旁，却没有发出自己的声音。我们的声音必须要听到我们当前面临的问题，比如说推动和平和公正，如何推动自由和人权，如何结束纷争以及战争。这一些问题不好解答，也不好解决，但是很多问题都不好解答。比如说在一战当中出生了曼德拉，也业面临着那么多的难题，但是他却会在解决问题之前不断地奋斗，直到一切解决为止。南非展示给我们，我们可以变化，我们可以建造这样一个世界，根基不是我们之间的差异，而是我们之间的共同点；不是纷争，而是机会和和平。我们无法再见到曼德拉了，但是我想告诉南非的年轻人，以及世界各国的年轻人。你们也可以使他的人生变成你们自己的。
在三十年前我还是一个学生，我学习了曼德拉的事迹了，了解了他在南非国土上所做出的奋斗。当时点燃了我身体当中的某些信念，使我想到了我的责任对我自己和其他人的责任，使我踏上这样一条旅程，一直到我今天所在的位置。我永远无法成为像曼德拉那样伟大的人，但是他让我想成为更好的人。他能唤醒我们每个人心中最美好的部分。
他这个伟大的自由斗士已然安息，我们会回到各自的生活和工作岗位，重新开始我们的日常生活。在这个过程当中让我们继续找寻他的力量，找寻他伟大的精神，就在我们自己的心中，在我们自己的体内找到他的这种精神。当我们的心上仍然受到不公正的负担，似乎美好的远景无法实现，在这些时候让我们想想曼德拉，还有他刻在监狱墙壁上的字。不管惩罚多么严厉，我仍然会掌握我自己的命运，我是我灵魂的船长，多么伟大的灵魂啊。我们深切地思念他，愿上帝保佑曼德拉的灵魂，愿上帝保佑南非民众！
第五篇：奥巴马在曼德拉追悼会上的致辞(英文)
奥巴马在曼德拉追悼会上的致辞（英文）
Remarks by President Obama at Memorial Service for Former South
African President Nelson Mandela
Time:December 10, 2013
Place: First National Bank Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
To GraçaMachel 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 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.Born during World War I, far from the corridors of power, a boy raised herding cattle and tutored by the elders of his Thembu tribe, Madiba would emerge as the last great liberator of the 20th century.Like Gandhi, he would lead a resistance movement a movement that at its start had little prospect for success.Like Dr.King, he would give potent voice to the claims of the oppressed and the moral necessity of racial justice.He would endure a brutal imprisonment that began in the time of Kennedy and Khrushchev, and reached the final days of the Cold War.Emerging from prison, without the force of arms, he would like Abraham Lincoln hold his country together when it threatened to break apart.And like America’s Founding Fathers, he would erect a constitutional order to preserve freedom for future generations a commitment to democracy and rule of law ratified not only by his election, but by his willingness to step down from power after only one term.Given the sweep of his life, the scope of his accomplishments, the adoration that he so rightly earned, it’s tempting I think to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men.But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait.Instead, Madiba insisted on sharing with us his doubts and his fears;his miscalculations along with his victories.“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 ANCthe Sisulus and TambosMadiba 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.”
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.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.”
But as he showed in painstaking negotiations to transfer power and draft new laws, he was not afraid to compromise for the sake of a larger goal.And because he was not only a leader of a movement but a skillful politician, the Constitution that emerged
was worthy of this multiracial democracy, true to his vision of laws that protect minority as well as majority rights, and the precious freedoms of every South African.And finally, Mandela understood the ties that bind the human spirit.There is a word in South AfricaUbuntu(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(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.We know that, like South Africa, the United States had to overcome centuries of racial subjugation.As was true here, it took sacrifice the sacrifice of countless people, known and unknown, to see the dawn of a new day.Michelle and I are beneficiaries of that struggle.But in America, and in South Africa, and in countries all around the globe, we cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not yet done.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.And so we, too, must act on behalf of justice.We, too, must act on behalf of peace.There are too many people who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality.There are too many leaders who claim
solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people.And there are too many of us on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism when our voices must be heard.The questions we face today how to promote equality and justice;how to uphold freedom and human rights;how to end conflict and sectarian war these things do not have easy answers.But there were no easy answers in front of that child born in World War I.Nelson Mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until it is done.South Africa shows that is true.South Africa shows we can change, that we can choose a world defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes.We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity.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.He speaks to what’s best inside us.After this great liberator is laid to rest, and when we have returned to our cities and villages and rejoined our daily routines, let us search for his strength.Let us search for his largeness of spirit somewhere inside of ourselves.And when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy on our hearts, when our best-laid plans seem beyond our reach, let us think of Madiba and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of his cell: “It matters not how strait the gate, how charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
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.END
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