克林顿的第二次就职演说(3)

　　To renew America, we must meet challenges abroad as well at home. There is no longer division between what is foreign and what is domestic; the world economy, the world environment, the world AIDS crisis, the world arms race; they affect us all.

　　为了振兴美国，我们必须迎接来自国内、国外的种种挑战。在什么是国外和什么是国内之间已不再有明确的界线。全球经济、全球环境、全球艾滋病危机和全球军备竞赛，这一切影响着所有的人。

　　Today, as an old order passes, the new world is more free but less stable. Communism's collapse has called forth old animosities and new dangers. Clearly America must continue to lead the world we did so much to make.

　　今天，随着旧秩序被打破，新的世界更加自由，但又更加不稳定。共产主义的崩溃激起了旧的仇恨和新的危险。显然，美国必须继续领导这个我们曾经付出巨大努力而创造的世界。

　　While America rebuilds at home, we will not shrink from the challenges, nor fail to seize the opportunities, of this new world. Together with our friends and allies, we will work to shape change, lest it engulf us.

　　当我们致力于重建美国的时候，我们不会在这个新世界的挑战面前退缩，也不会坐失良机。我们将同我们的朋友和盟国一道，努力确定改革和发展方向，以免被改革所吞没。

　　When our vital interests are challenged, or the will and conscience of the international community is defied, we will act; with peaceful diplomacy when ever possible, with force when necessary. The brave Americans serving our nation today in the Persian Gulf, in Somalia, and wherever else they stand are testament to our resolve.

　　当我们的国家利益受到挑战，或者国际社会的意志及公德遭到蔑视的时候，我们将尽可能地通过和平外交手段去解决。必要时也可以诉诸武力。今天，在波斯湾，在索马里，在其他地方，那些为国效力的美国勇士们都证明了我们的决心。

　　But our greatest strength is the power of our ideas, which are still new in many lands. Across the world, we see them embraced, and we rejoice. Our hopes, our hearts, our hands, are with those on every continent who are building democracy and freedom. Their cause is America's cause.

　　然而，我们最大的实力是我们的思想力量。在许多国家，美国的思想还是一种新生力量。看到这些思想为世界各国所接受，我们感到由衷的高兴。我们的希望、我们的心，我们的手，同五大洲正在建设民主和自由的人民是联在一起的。他们的事业就是美国的事业。

　　The American people have summoned the change we celebrate today. You have raised your voices in an unmistakable chorus. You have cast your votes in historic numbers. And you have changed the face of Congress, the

　　presidency and the political process itself. Yes, you, my fellow Americans have forced the spring. Now, we must do the work the season demands.

　　美国人民呼唤我们今天庆祝的变革。你们异口同声地提高了自己的呼声。你们以前所未有的人数参加了投票。你们改变了国会、总统以及政治进程本身的面貌。同胞们，是的，你们已经促使春天提前到来了。现在，我们必须致力于这个时期所赋予我们的任务。

　　To that work I now turn, with all the authority of my office. I ask the Congress to join with me. But no president, no Congress, no government, can undertake this mission alone. My fellow Americans, you, too, must play your part in our renewal. I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a season of

　　service; to act on your idealism by helping troubled children, keeping company with those in need, reconnecting our torn communities. There is so much to be done; enough indeed for millions of others who are still young in spirit to give of themselves in service, too.

　　为了这个任务，我将充分行使我的职权。我请求国会同我合作。但是，任何一位总统，任何一个国会，任何一届政府，都无法独自承担这一使命。同胞们，你们也必须在国家的振兴中发挥作用。我要求新一代美国青年按照你们的理想行动起来，帮助困难儿童，同患难者休戚与共，把我们这个四分五裂的社会重新凝为一体，为祖国贡献你们的力量。要做的事情太多——确实足以使千百万精神上依然年轻的其他人也投身其中。

　　In serving, we recognize a simple but powerful truth, we need each other. And we must care for one another. Today, we do more than celebrate America; we rededicate ourselves to the very idea of America.

　　在振兴祖国的事业中，我们认识到一个简单而强有力的真理。我们不仅彼此需要，还必须相互关心。今天，我们不只是在庆祝美国，而且是在重新献身于美国的思想。

　　An idea born in revolution and renewed through two centuries of challenge. An idea tempered by the knowledge that, but for fate we, the fortunate and the unfortunate, might have been each other. An idea ennobled by the faith that our nation can summon from its myriad diversity the deepest measure of unity. An idea infused with the conviction that America's long heroic journey must go forever upward.

　　这种思想是一种在革命中诞生、经过两个世纪的挑战而获得新生的思想。一种经受过这种认识锤炼的思想，即我们这些幸运者和不幸者，若非因为命运的安排，可能已经变换位置。一种因为这种信念而变得崇高的思想，即相信我们的国家能够从无数的分歧中求得最大程度的团结一致。一种充满信心的思想，即相信美国漫长而英勇的旅程定会永远向上。

　　And so, my fellow Americans, at the edge of the 21st century, let us begin with energy and hope, with faith and discipline, and let us work until our work is done. The scripture says, "And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not."

　　为此，同胞们，在即将跨入21世纪的时候，让我们重新开始，鼓起勇气、满怀希望、坚定信念、遵守纪律，把我们的事业进行到底。《圣经》说：“我们行善，不可丧志，只要坚持，终有收获。”

　　From this joyful mountaintop of celebration, we hear a call to service in the valley. We have heard the trumpets. We have changed the guard. And now, each in our way, and with God's help, we must answer the call.

　　在这个欢庆的高山之巅，我们听到山谷里传来为国效力的召唤。我们听到了号声。我们已经换岗。现在，我们每个人都必须以自己的方式在上帝的帮助下响应这一号召。

　　Thank you, and God bless you all.

　　谢谢你们。愿上帝保佑大家。