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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
John F. Kennedy: Inaugural1 Address
[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED2: Text version below transcribed3 directly from audio. (2)]
[Administering of the Oath of Office]
Vice4 President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, Reverend Clergy5, fellow citizens:
We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom -- symbolizing6 an end, as well as a beginning -- signifying renewal7, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty8 God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity9 of the state, but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth10 from this time and place, to friend and foe11 alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans -- born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling12 to witness or permit the slow undoing14 of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge -- and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty15 of faithful friends. United there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided there is little we can do -- for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds16 and split asunder17.
To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom -- and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery18, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required -- not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge: to convert our good words into good deeds, in a new alliance for progress, to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey19 of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression20 or subversion21 anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support -- to prevent it from becoming merely a forum22 for invective23, to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak, and to enlarge the area in which its writ24 may run.
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary25, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed26 by science engulf27 all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt28 them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course -- both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing29 to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.
So let us begin anew -- remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity30 is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear, but let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring31 those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate32 serious and precise proposals for the inspection33 and control of arms, and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Let both sides seek to invoke34 the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate35 disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed36, in all corners of the earth, the command of Isaiah -- to "undo13 the heavy burdens, and [to] let the oppressed go free."¹
And, if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor -- not a new balance of power, but a new world of law -- where the strong are just, and the weak secure, and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days; nor in the life of this Administration; nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than 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 testimony37 to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet38 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 twilight39 struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation,"² a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
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 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.
And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
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.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing40 and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.
1 inaugural | |
adj.就职的;n.就职典礼 | |
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2 certified | |
a.经证明合格的;具有证明文件的 | |
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3 transcribed | |
(用不同的录音手段)转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 ); 改编(乐曲)(以适应他种乐器或声部); 抄写; 用音标标出(声音) | |
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4 vice | |
n.坏事;恶习;[pl.]台钳,老虎钳;adj.副的 | |
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5 clergy | |
n.[总称]牧师,神职人员 | |
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6 symbolizing | |
v.象征,作为…的象征( symbolize的现在分词 ) | |
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7 renewal | |
adj.(契约)延期,续订,更新,复活,重来 | |
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8 almighty | |
adj.全能的,万能的;很大的,很强的 | |
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9 generosity | |
n.大度,慷慨,慷慨的行为 | |
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10 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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11 foe | |
n.敌人,仇敌 | |
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12 unwilling | |
adj.不情愿的 | |
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13 undo | |
vt.解开,松开;取消,撤销 | |
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14 undoing | |
n.毁灭的原因,祸根;破坏,毁灭 | |
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15 loyalty | |
n.忠诚,忠心 | |
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16 odds | |
n.让步,机率,可能性,比率;胜败优劣之别 | |
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17 asunder | |
adj.分离的,化为碎片 | |
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18 misery | |
n.痛苦,苦恼,苦难;悲惨的境遇,贫苦 | |
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19 prey | |
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨 | |
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20 aggression | |
n.进攻,侵略,侵犯,侵害 | |
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21 subversion | |
n.颠覆,破坏 | |
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22 forum | |
n.论坛,讨论会 | |
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23 invective | |
n.痛骂,恶意抨击 | |
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24 writ | |
n.命令状,书面命令 | |
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25 adversary | |
adj.敌手,对手 | |
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26 unleashed | |
v.把(感情、力量等)释放出来,发泄( unleash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27 engulf | |
vt.吞没,吞食 | |
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28 tempt | |
vt.引诱,勾引,吸引,引起…的兴趣 | |
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29 racing | |
n.竞赛,赛马;adj.竞赛用的,赛马用的 | |
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30 sincerity | |
n.真诚,诚意;真实 | |
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31 belaboring | |
v.毒打一顿( belabor的现在分词 );责骂;就…作过度的说明;向…唠叨 | |
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32 formulate | |
v.用公式表示;规划;设计;系统地阐述 | |
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33 inspection | |
n.检查,审查,检阅 | |
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34 invoke | |
v.求助于(神、法律);恳求,乞求 | |
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35 eradicate | |
v.根除,消灭,杜绝 | |
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36 heed | |
v.注意,留意;n.注意,留心 | |
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37 testimony | |
n.证词;见证,证明 | |
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38 trumpet | |
n.喇叭,喇叭声;v.吹喇叭,吹嘘 | |
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39 twilight | |
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期 | |
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40 blessing | |
n.祈神赐福;祷告;祝福,祝愿 | |
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