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. 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.
今天,我们来到这里,旨在宣布结束一切鸡毛蒜皮的相互倾轧和开空头支票,也不再彼此指责,陈词滥调。所有这些都太久地毒害了我们的政治环境。我们是个年轻的国家,用《圣经》里的话说,就是时候到了,该把幼稚的把戏搁置一边了。时候到了,让我们重新振作精神,让我们选择创造更美好的历史,并带着下面那珍贵的礼物,和那高尚的理想:上帝给予诺言,人人生来平等,人人都是自由的,人人都有获得追求完整幸福的机会,一代又一代地走下去吧。
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 short-cuts 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 labour, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.
在重振我们国家雄风时,我们深深知道,雄风永远不是别人赐予的。必须自己全力争取才能获得。我们的征程永远没有捷径或一切都事先预定好。这一征程永远不会朝心脏不能有所承担的人敞开,对那些只贪图安逸,不想打拼的人不敞开,也对那些只追求享受财富与虚名的人不敞开。这一征程只属于敢于承担风险的人,属于实干的人,属于有所作为的人。曾有人庆贺自己的成就。但更多的人们则埋头打拼,正是这些人将我们带至通往繁荣与自由的,长长的也充满坎坷的道路上去。 |