肯尼迪总统就职演讲全文

1961年1月20日，美国第35任总统约翰·肯尼迪就职。在就职典礼上，肯尼迪总统就当时的世界格局与美国国情发表了这篇著名演讲。留下了“不要问国家能为你做什么，要问你能为国家做什么”的名句，同时“美洲进步同盟”、“晨昏对峙”（著名桌游《冷战热斗》的原名）等概念皆出自本篇演讲。

Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens：

约翰逊副总统，议长大人，大法官先生，艾森豪威尔总统，尼克松副总统，杜鲁门总统，尊敬的神职人员，我的美国同胞们：

We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom--symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning--signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn I before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears l prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.

我们不应视今天为一个政党的胜利，而是自由事业的胜利——这象征结束，也象征着新的开始——意味着延续，也意味着变革。我在你们和全能的上帝面前宣读了我们祖先在约175年前立下的庄严誓言。

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 generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

世界已经截然不同。人类的手中握有巨大的力量，即可以消灭一切形式的贫穷，也可以直接毁灭人类。我们祖先为之奋斗的革新思想，即人权不是来自于国家的慷慨，而是由上帝赐予的思想至今依旧在全世界处于争议。

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe 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 unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing 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.

我们不敢忘却，我们是革命先驱者的后代。让我们的话语从此时此地出发，同时传向朋友和敌人：火炬已经被传递给了新一代美国人——他们出生在这个世纪，经历过战火考验，也克服着艰难苦涩的和平，他们因我们古老的遗产而骄傲——并且不愿看到也不允许这些人权遭到逐渐毁灭。这些权利是我们国家曾一直所捍卫的，也是今天我们在国内和全世界一直所捍卫的。

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, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. This much we pledge--and more.

让每个国家都知道，无论这些国家希望我们变好还是变坏：我们要不惜一切代价，承受一切负担，克服一切困难，联合一切朋友，消灭一切敌人，来确保自由事业的延续和成功。我们发誓要完成这些，且不止于此。

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty 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 odds and split asunder.

对于我们有着共同文化、同根同源的老盟国们，我们保证会继续保持对亲密盟友的忠诚。团结一致的话，在合作的道路上，我们几乎无所不能。各自为战的话，我们几乎一事无成——因为我们不敢在内斗的情况下面对重大挑战，只能分崩离析。

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.

对于我们十分欢迎加入自由世界的新国家，我们保证不会用更加残酷的暴政取代旧时代消逝的殖民统治。我们不期待所有国家都支持我们的态度。但是我们希望每一个国家都能强烈支持本国的自由——并且牢记，在过去，那些骑在老虎背上愚蠢追寻权力的人，最终都被老虎吞进了肚子里。

To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, 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.

对于全世界住在棚屋和乡村，正拼命打破苦难束缚的人，我们保证尽最大努力去帮助他们解放自己，无论需要多久——我们之所以这样，不是因为共产主义者在这么做，也不是因为我们寻求他们的选票，仅仅是因为这么做是正确的。如果自由世界社会无法帮助众多的穷人，那就也不能保全少数的富人。

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 pross--to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.

对于我们边界南部的姊妹共和国们，我们提供一项特殊保证：将我们的善言转化为善行——以美洲进步同盟的形式——帮助自由人民和自由政府摆脱贫穷的锁链。但是这种带来希望的和平革命不能成为敌对势力趁虚而入的空隙。让我们所有的邻国都知道：我们会和他们一起挫败发生在美洲的侵略和颠覆活动。并让其他国家都知道：西半球的事情，应该由西半球人民自己来管。

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 forum for invective--to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak--and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

对于各主权国家的世界性会议——联合国，它是这个战争机器发展远超和平机器的时代的最后希望，我们重申我们的支持诺言：防止联合国只成为一个国家间互泼脏水的平台，而是要让它成为新生国家和弱小国家的坚强护盾，并扩大联合国权力的覆盖范围。

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

最后，对于我们的敌人，我们不会做出任何承诺，但是做出要求：在科学所释放的危险破坏力量足以在有意或无意间摧毁全人类之前，我们双方必须重新寻求和平。

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

我们不能靠示弱来吸引他们保持和平。因为只有我们的武装力量强大到无人敢质疑，我们才能保证敌人不敢破坏和平。

But neither can two at 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 racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.

但是就目前的情况，两国和两大军事集团都不敢放松警惕——双方都因为大量现代武器的开销经费而不堪重负，双方都因为致命原子弹的不断扩散而感到担忧，双方都在进行军备竞赛，担心不稳定的实力平衡被打破，引发人类的灭亡之战。

So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

所以，让我们重新开始——记住，对双方来说，礼貌都不是示弱的表现，诚意永远都是很好的证明。我们绝不会出于惧怕而谈判，但我们也不要惧怕谈判本身。

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

让双方共同解决阻碍我们团结一致的问题，而不是反复再提起那些分裂我们的问题。

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

让双方首次来共同为监督限制军备而制定一个严格准确的目标——将能够摧毁其他国家的绝对力量处于所有国家的绝对控制之下。

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

让双方共同探索科学奥秘，而不是发掘其危险性。让我们共同探索外星球，克服荒漠化，消灭疾病，开发海底深渊，并鼓励艺术和商贸发展。

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."

让双方在世界各角落都遵循以赛亚的命令，去“卸下重担···去解放被压迫的人”

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.

如果合作的滩头堡被推退回了尔虞吾诈的猜忌环境，那就让双方共同重新努力，不是要再在双方间重造平衡，而是要创造一个强者公正、弱者安全，和平持续的法治新世界。

All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

这一切不会在最初的100天内完成，也不会在最初的1000天内完成，也不会在本届政府任期内完成，甚至可能也不会在这个星球毁灭之前完成。但是，让我们现在踏出第一步。

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 to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

我的同胞们，我们的事业最终是成功或失败，你们手中的决定权远远高于我。自这个国家建立以来，每一代美国人都受到号召去证明自己对国家的忠诚。许多美国年轻人响应号召服役，他们的坟墓遍布世界各地。

Now the trumpet 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 struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

现在，召唤我们的号角再次吹响——不是号召我们拿起武器，尽管我们需要武器；不是号召我们去战斗，尽管我们正在战斗，而是号召我们在这一长期的晨昏对峙中承担起责任，年复一年，“欢欣希望，忍耐磨难”，去一起对抗人类共同的敌人：暴政，贫穷，疾病和战争。

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?

我们能否结成一个对抗这一切敌人的巨大全球同盟，遍布东西南北，确保全人类可以过上更加富有的生活？你愿意为这伟大的历史事业出一份力吗？

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 shank 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.

在世界漫长的历史中，只有那么几代人在最危险的时刻扮演了保卫自由的角色。我不会推卸我的责任——我乐于承担责任。我不认为我们中有人愿意和其他人或某一代人交换位置。我们投入到努力中的精力、信任和贡献将会点亮我们的国家，以及为国服务的公民——我们国家火焰的微光也会点亮这个世界。

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

因此，我们的美国同胞们：不要问国家能为你做什么，要问你能为国家做什么。

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：不要问美国能为你做什么，要问我们能够共同为人类的自由事业做什么。

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us 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 blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

最后，无论你是美国公民还是全世界其他国家的公民，请用我们要求你奉献和牺牲的高标准来同样地要求我们。问心无愧是我们唯一可以确信的回报，历史最终会给我们的行动一个评价，让我们带领这片我们深爱的土地不断前进，请上帝保佑我们、帮助我们，但是要知道，在世间，上帝的任务必须由我们来完成。