First Inaugural Address(Excerpts)John F. Kennedy

第一篇：First Inaugural Address(Excerpts)John F. Kennedy

First Inaugural Address(Excerpts)John F.Kennedy 肯尼迪第一次就职演说（节选）We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning;signifying vt.表示，意味renewal, as well as change.For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn adj.庄严的oath n.誓言 our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.我们今天庆祝的并不是政党的胜利，而是自由的胜利。它象征着结束，也象征着开始；它意味着复兴，也意味着变革。因为我已在我们和全能的上帝面前宣誓，这庄严的誓言是我们的祖先在将近一又四分之三个世纪以前所拟就的。

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course.Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony n.证词 to its national loyalty.The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.同胞们，我们的事业的最终成败，主要取决于你们，而不是我。自建国以来，每一代美国人都曾受到召唤去证明自己对祖国的忠诚。响应这种召唤而服军役的美国青年的忠骨遍及世界各地。

Now the trumpet n.喇叭summons us again, not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need;not as a call to battle, though embattled we are;but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight adj.黎明的struggle, year in and year out, “rejoicing vi.欣喜，高兴 in hope;patient in tribulation n.苦难，忧患”, a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself..现在那号角又在召唤我们，不是召唤我们拿起武器，虽然我们需要武器；不会司号召我们奔赴战场，虽然我们严阵以待；而是号召我们肩负重任，去作黎明前漫长的斗争，年复一年，“在希望中欢乐，在磨难中忍耐”。这是一场对抗人类公敌的斗争，这些人类的公敌是：暴政、贫困、疾病和战争。

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance n.联盟，联合, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort? 不管是南北方，还是东西方，我们能否结成一个全球性的伟大联盟来对付这些敌人，以确保全人类过上更美好的生活？你们愿意参与这历史性的努力吗？

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger.I do not shrink vi.退缩from this responsibility.I welcome it.I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation.The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it.And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.在漫长的历史长河中，只有少数几代人在自由遭遇最大威胁时被赋予捍卫自由的重任。在这一重任面前，我决不退缩，我将迎接它。我相信，我们之中没有人愿意跟任何其他民族或其他时代交换我们现在所处的位置。我们为此付出的精力、信念与奉献，将照亮我们的祖国以及所有为国效力的人。那火焰所发出的光芒必能照亮全世界。

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.所以，我的饿美国同胞们，不要问你的国家能为你做些什么，而要问你能为你的国家做些什么。

My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.全世界的公民们，不要问美国会为你做些什么，而应问我们能为人类的自由共同做些什么。Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of期望，要求 us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.With a good conscience n.良心our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.最后，无论诸位是美国公民抑或是他国的公民，请在此以我们要求你们效力与奉献的高标准来要求我们。问心无愧是我们唯一确定的报酬，历史将是我们所作所为的最后裁判者。让我们勇往直前来引领我们所热爱的土地，同时祈求上帝的保佑和扶携。但我们知道，在这个世界上，上帝的任务必须由我们自己来完成。