甘迺迪總統就職典禮演說
Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, 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 before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.

副總統詹森、議長先生、司法院長、艾森豪總統、副總統尼克森、杜魯門總統、牧師神職人員、人民同胞，我們今天目睹的不是一個黨派的勝利，而是一個 自由的盛典－－這場盛典既象徵著結束，也象徵著開始－－ 既意味著更新，也意味著改造。因為我在你們和全能的上帝面前宣讀的，是近一七五年前我們的祖先擬就的同一莊嚴誓詞。

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.

當前的世界已經大不同了，現在人們同時掌握著消滅所有人類貧窮和所有人類生命的力量。然而在全球各地，我們的祖先透過革命所爭取的相同目標仍然有待完成－－那就是相信人權並非來自國家的施捨，而是來自上帝的賜予。

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.

今天絕不能忘記我們都是當年革命先烈的子民。讓我們的話語從此時此地散播出去，給朋友和敵人，讓他們知道火炬已傳遞給新一代的美國人民──出生於 本世紀，受過戰爭洗禮，體認和平得來不易，並對先賢傳承感到自豪的美國人民，無法坐視或容許人權逐漸被忽略，因為他們深知這是個始終以人權為職志，並將本 國及世界人權都視為己任的國家。

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.

我要讓每一個國家，無論他們對我們抱著善意還是敵意，我們將付出所有代價、擔負所有責任、面對所有艱難、支持所有朋友，對抗所有敵人，來確保自由的生存與成功。

This much we pledge and more.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 racing 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 sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

絕不因恐懼而談判，但也絕不懼怕談判

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

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

在漫長的世界歷史中，只有少數世代有幸擔負起在最危急關頭時捍衛自由的使命。我對這樣的責任毫無畏懼，當仁不讓。我不相信我們其中任何人願意與其 他民族或其他世代交換處我們目前所處的地位。我們所付出的精力、信仰和忠誠將照亮我們的國家及為國效勞的人民，而它所發出的光芒也能真正照亮全世界。

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

因此，親愛的美國同胞：不要問國家能為你們做些什麼，要問你們能為國家做些什麼。

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.

親愛的世界同胞：不要問美國能為你們做些什麼，而要問我們團結起來能為人類的自由做些什麼。

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 blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

最後，無論你們是美國公民或是世界公民，請各位用我們要求你們的高標準，同樣地要求我們展現力量、奉獻犧牲。我們唯一肯定的回報是無愧於心，我們 的所作所為由歷史作最後的裁判，讓我們勇往直前領導這塊我們所愛的土地，祈求上帝的保佑與幫助，但我們也知道，上帝的任務必須由我們來完成。
(from: http://www.chenhen.com/html/english/speech/jfk-in.htm)