书城外语课外英语-美国总统演讲选萃(上)(双语版)
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第27章 富兰克林·罗斯福第二次就职演讲(1937)(2)

This new understanding undermines the old admiration of worldly success as such.We are beginning to abandon our tolerance of the abuse of power by those who betray for profit the elementary decencies of life.

这种新的认识,打破了以追名逐利为荣的传统观念。我们开始不再容忍某些人滥用权力,这些人为了利润而背弃了起码的生活准则。

In this process evil things formerly accepted will not be so easily condoned.Hard-headedness will not so easily excuse hardheartedness.We are moving toward an era of good feeling.But we realize that there can be no era of good feeling save among men of good will.

在这个过程中,以前得到认可的歪风邪气不会那么轻易地得到宽恕,冷静的头脑不会那么轻易地原谅冷酷的心肝。我们正在走向一个好心肠时代,但是,我们认识到,除非在有善良愿望的人之间,是不可能存在好心肠时代的。

For these reasons I am justified in believing that the greatest change we have witnessed has been the change in the moral climate of America.

出于这些原因,我理所当然地认为,我们所目睹的最重大变化就是美国道德风尚的变化。

Among men of good will,science and democracy together offer an ever-richer life and ever-larger satisfaction to the individual.With this change in our moral climate and our rediscovered ability to improve our economic order,we have set our feet upon the road of enduring progress.

在有善良愿望的人之间,科学加之民主,为个人提供了日益丰富的生活和日益增大的满足。随着道德风尚的这种变化,随着我们重新发现了改进经济秩序的能力,我们已经踏上了持久的进步之路。

Shall we pause now and turn our back upon the road that lies ahead?Shall we call this the promised land?Or,shall we continue on our way?For “each age is a dream that is dying,or one that is coming to birth.”

我们现在就停下来,从前进的道路上向后转吗?我们要把现在的美国称为希望之乡吗?或者,我们要继续走自己的路吗?因为“每一个时代都是一场梦,不是在消逝,就是在诞生。”

Many voices are heard as we face a great decision.Comfort says,“Tarry a while.”Opportunism says,“This is a good spot.”Timidity asks,“How difficult is the road ahead?”

我们在面临重大抉择时听到了许多声音。贪图安逸者说:“歇一会吧。”机会主义者说:“这是个好地方。”胆小怕事者问:“前面的路有多难走?”

True,we have come far from the days of stagnation and despair.Vitality has been preserved.Courage and confidence have been restored.Mental and moral horizons have been extended.

不错,我们已经把萧条和沮丧的日子远远甩到了后面。我们维持了活力。我们恢复了勇气和信心。我们扩大了思想和道德领域的疆界。

But our present gains were won under the pressure of more than ordinary circumstances.Advance became imperative under the goad of fear and suffering.The times were on the side of progress.

但是,我们目前的成绩是在超常形势的压力下取得的。在恐惧和痛苦的刺激下,前进是迫不得已的。当时的形势是有利于进步的。

To hold to progress today,however,is more difficult.Dulled conscience,irresponsibility,and ruthless self-interest already reappear.Such symptoms of prosperity may become portents of disaster!Prosperity already tests the persistence of our progressive purpose.

然而,今天要坚持进步就比较困难了,麻木不仁、不负责任、冷酷无情的自私自利已经重新抬头。这类繁荣的症状可能成为灾难的征兆!繁荣已经在考验我们进步的决心能否持久。

Let us ask again:Have we reached the goal of our vision of that fourth day of March 1933?Have we found our happy valley?

让我们再问一问:我们已经达到1933年3月4日那天憧憬的目标了吗?我们已经找到快乐之谷了吗?

I see a great nation,upon a great continent,blessed with a great wealth of natural resources.Its hundred and thirty million people are at peace among themselves;they are making their country a good neighbor among the nations.I see a United States which can demonstrate that,under democratic methods of government,national wealth can be translated into a spreading volume of human comforts hitherto unknown,and the lowest standard of living can be raised far above the level of mere subsistence.

我看到一个伟大的国家,地处辽阔的大陆,天赐富饶的自然资源。它的一亿三千万人民和睦相处;他们正在使自己的国家成为各国的好邻居。我看到一个合众国,它能够作出示范,即采用民主管理的方法,可以把国家财富转变成日益广泛的、闻所未闻的人类生活情趣,可以把最低生活标准提高到远远超过仅仅糊口的水平。

But here is the challenge to our democracy:In this nation I see tens of millions of its citizens—a substantial part of its whole population—who at this very moment are denied the greater part of what the very lowest standards of today call the necessities of life.

但是,我们的民主正面临种种挑战:在这个国家,我看到几千万公民——占人口总数相当大一部分——此时此刻得不到按目前最低标准所规定的大部分生活必需品。

I see millions of families trying to live on incomes so meager that the pall of family disaster hangs over them day by day.

我看到几百万个家庭以微薄收入勉强度日,日复一日处于家庭灾难的威胁之下。