John F. Kennedy
byname JFK, (born May 29, 1917, Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.—died November 22, 1963, Dallas, Texas), 35th president of the United States (1961–63), who faced a number of foreign crises, especially in Cuba and Berlin, but managed to secure such achievements as the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and the Alliance for Progress. He was assassinated while riding in a motorcade in Dallas.
1 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.
2 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 belief for which our forebears fought is 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.
3 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 these human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
4 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.
5 This much we pledge and more.
6 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 co-operative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do, for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
7 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.
8 To those peoples in the huts and villages of half 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.
9 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.
10 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.
11 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.
12 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.
13 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.
14 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.
15 Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.
16 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.
17 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.
18 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".
19 And if a beachhead of co-operation 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.
20 All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
21 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.
22 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.
23 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 the historic effort?
24 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.
25 And so, my fellow Americans ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.
26 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.
27 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.
(from A Treasury of the World's Great Speeches, 1965)
词汇(Vocabulary)
inaugural (adj.) : of an inauguration就职(典礼)的
signify (v.) : be a sign or indication of；mean表明；意味
almighty (adj.) : having unlimited power；all-powerful有无限权力的；全能的
forebear (n.) : an ancester 祖先，祖宗
prescribe (v.) : set down as a rule or direction；order；ordain；direct命令；指示；规定，订立
generosity (n.) : the quality of being generous慷慨；宽宏大量
heir (n.) : person who appears to get some trait from a predecessor or seems to carry on in his tradition继承者；后嗣
foe (n.) : enemy；opponent敌人
undoing (n.) : the act of bringing to ruin，disgrace，or destruction毁灭；破坏
at odds : in disagreement；quarreling意见不一致；有争执
asunder (adv.) : into parts or pieces分成碎片；分散
prey (n.) : a person or thing that falls victim to someone or something牺牲品；掠夺品
subversion (n.) : a subverting or being subverted．ruin 颠覆(活动)；破坏
sovereign (adj.) : independent of all others独立自主的
outpace (v.) : surpass；exceed在速度上超过；胜过
invective (n.) : a violent verbal attack．strong criticism，insults, curses, etc.; vituperation 抨击；辱骂，谩骂
shield (n.) : any person or thing that guards，protects，or defends; protection保护人；防护物；保护
writ (n.) : a formal legal document ordering or prohibiting some action命令；律令；文书；传票
adversary (n.) : a person who opposes or fights against another; opponent；enemy对手，反对者；敌手，敌方
anew (adv.) : again重新，再
unleash (v.) : release from or as from a leash(解开皮带以)释放
engulf (v.) : swallow up；overwhelm 吞没，淹没，压倒
civility (n.) : politeness．esp. in a merely formal way 礼貌，客气
belabor (v.) : talk about at unnecessary length唠唠叨叨地反复讲
formulate (v.) : put together and express (a theory．plan ,etc.)a systematic way系统地阐述(或提出)(理论、计划等)
tap (v.) : draw upon；make use of开发、发掘
heed (v.) : pay close attention to；take careful notice of注意, 留神，留心
beachhead (n.) : a position established by invading troops on an enemy shore；a position gained as a secare starting point for any action；foothold滩头堡，登陆场；立足点
endeavor (n.) : an earnest attempt or effort努力，尽力
testimony (n.) : any form of evidence，indication. etc.；proof证明，证据
embattle (v.) : [常用于被动语态]prepare，array，or set in line for battle使准备战斗，使严阵以待
tribulation (n.) : great misery or distress, as from oppression；deep sorrow苦难；困苦；忧伤
forge (v.) : move forward steadily，as if against difficulties; form；produce(似乎迎着困难)稳步前进；形成；结成
alliance (n.) : a close association for a common objective as of nations，political parties，etc．联盟，联合，同盟
短语 (Expressions)
at issue : in dispute；to be decided；at variance；in disagreement意见不一致
例： What is at issue is the extent to which exam results reflect a student's ability.意见的分歧之处在于考试对于学生能力的影响程度。
at odds : in disagreement；quarrelling；antagonistic意见不一致，有争执
例： IHe was at odds with his colleagues．他与同事意见不合。
east off : to discard；abandon；disown丢弃，摆脱
例： A haven of tranquility where you can cast off the strains and stress of life．一个可以摆脱生活重负的宁静港湾
beyond doubt : certainly毫无疑问
例： She was beyond doubt one of the finest swimmers in the school．毫无疑问，她在学校里游泳游得最棒。
inaugural
adj.就职的；n.就职典礼
参考例句：
• We listened to the President's inaugural speech on the radio yesterday.昨天我们通过无线电听了总统的就职演说。
• Professor Pearson gave the inaugural lecture in the new lecture theatre.皮尔逊教授在新的阶梯讲堂发表了启用演说。
symbolizing
v.象征，作为…的象征( symbolize的现在分词 )
参考例句：
• This symbol later evolved into a common hieroglyphic symbolizing victory. 这幕场景后来逐渐演化为象征胜利的普通象形文字。 来自时文部分
• Mooncakes reunion, is symbolizing the Mid-Autumn festival will feed. 月饼象征着团圆，是中秋佳节必食之品。 来自互联网
renewal
adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来
参考例句：
• Her contract is coming up for renewal in the autumn.她的合同秋天就应该续签了。
• Easter eggs symbolize the renewal of life.复活蛋象征新生。
almighty
adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的
参考例句：
• Those rebels did not really challenge Gods almighty power.这些叛徒没有对上帝的全能力量表示怀疑。
• It's almighty cold outside.外面冷得要命。
generosity
n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为
参考例句：
• We should match their generosity with our own.我们应该像他们一样慷慨大方。
• We adore them for their generosity.我们钦佩他们的慷慨。
forth
adv.向前；向外，往外
参考例句：
• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
foe
n.敌人，仇敌
参考例句：
• He knew that Karl could be an implacable foe.他明白卡尔可能会成为他的死敌。
• A friend is a friend;a foe is a foe;one must be clearly distinguished from the other.敌是敌，友是友，必须分清界限。
unwilling
adj.不情愿的
参考例句：
• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• His tightfisted employer was unwilling to give him a raise.他那吝啬的雇主不肯给他加薪。
undo
vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销
参考例句：
• His pride will undo him some day.他的傲慢总有一天会毁了他。
• I managed secretly to undo a corner of the parcel.我悄悄地设法解开了包裹的一角。
undoing
n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭
参考例句：
• That one mistake was his undoing. 他一失足即成千古恨。
• This hard attitude may have led to his undoing. 可能就是这种强硬的态度导致了他的垮台。
loyalty
n.忠诚，忠心
参考例句：
• She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
• His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。
odds
n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别
参考例句：
• The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
• Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？
asunder
adj.分离的，化为碎片
参考例句：
• The curtains had been drawn asunder.窗帘被拉向两边。
• Your conscience,conviction,integrity,and loyalties were torn asunder.你的良心、信念、正直和忠诚都被扯得粉碎了。
misery
n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦
参考例句：
• Business depression usually causes misery among the working class.商业不景气常使工薪阶层受苦。
• He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。
prey
n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨
参考例句：
• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。
aggression
n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害
参考例句：
• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。
subversion
n.颠覆，破坏
参考例句：
• He was arrested in parliament on charges of subversion for organizing the demonstration.他因组织示威活动在议会上被以颠覆破坏罪名逮捕。
• It had a cultural identity relatively immune to subversion from neighboring countries.它的文化同一性使它相对地不易被邻国所颠覆。
forum
n.论坛，讨论会
参考例句：
• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。
invective
n.痛骂，恶意抨击
参考例句：
• He retorted the invective on her.他用恶言讽刺还击她。
• His command of irony and invective was said to be very classic and lethal.据说他嬉笑怒骂的本领是极其杰出的，令人无法招架的。
writ
n.命令状，书面命令
参考例句：
• This is a copy of a writ I received this morning.这是今早我收到的书面命令副本。
• You shouldn't treat the newspapers as if they were Holy Writ. 你不应该把报上说的话奉若神明。
adversary
adj.敌手，对手
参考例句：
• He saw her as his main adversary within the company.他将她视为公司中主要的对手。
• They will do anything to undermine their adversary's reputation.他们会不择手段地去损害对手的名誉。
unleash
vt.发泄，发出；解带子放开
参考例句：
• They hope to create allies to unleash against diseases,pests,and invasive species.他们希望创造出一些新群体来对付疾病、害虫和一些有侵害性的物种。
• Changing water levels now at times unleash a miasma of disease from exposed sewage.如今，大坝不时地改变水位，从暴露的污水释放出了疾病瘴气。
unleashed
v.把（感情、力量等）释放出来，发泄( unleash的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
• The government's proposals unleashed a storm of protest in the press. 政府的提案引发了新闻界的抗议浪潮。
• The full force of his rage was unleashed against me. 他把所有的怒气都发泄在我身上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
engulf
vt.吞没，吞食
参考例句：
• Floodwaters engulf a housing project in the Bajo Yuna community in central Dominican Republic.洪水吞没了多米尼加中部巴杰优那社区的一处在建的住房工程项目。
• If we are not strong enough to cover all the minds up,then they will engulf us,and we are in danger.如果我们不够坚强来抵挡大众的意念，就会有被他们吞没的危险。
tempt
vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣
参考例句：
• Nothing could tempt him to such a course of action.什么都不能诱使他去那样做。
• The fact that she had become wealthy did not tempt her to alter her frugal way of life.她有钱了，可这丝毫没能让她改变节俭的生活习惯。
racing
n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的
参考例句：
• I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
• The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。
sincerity
n.真诚，诚意；真实
参考例句：
• His sincerity added much more authority to the story.他的真诚更增加了故事的说服力。
• He tried hard to satisfy me of his sincerity.他竭力让我了解他的诚意。
belabor
vt.痛斥；作过长说明
参考例句：
• Don't belabor the point.别再罗嗦这事儿了。
• He seems to be looking for a man of straw to belabor.他看来在找一个假想的敌人来加以痛打。
belaboring
v.毒打一顿( belabor的现在分词 )；责骂；就…作过度的说明；向…唠叨
参考例句：
• Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us. 让双方探寻那些能将我们团结在一起的因素，而不是那些刻意挑出那些分裂我们的因素。 来自互联网
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formulate
v.用公式表示；规划；设计；系统地阐述
参考例句：
• He took care to formulate his reply very clearly.他字斟句酌，清楚地做了回答。
• I was impressed by the way he could formulate his ideas.他陈述观点的方式让我印象深刻。
inspection
n.检查，审查，检阅
参考例句：
• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
• The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。
invoke
v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求
参考例句：
• Let us invoke the blessings of peace.让我们祈求和平之福。
• I hope I'll never have to invoke this clause and lodge a claim with you.我希望我永远不会使用这个条款向你们索赔。
eradicate
v.根除，消灭，杜绝
参考例句：
• These insects are very difficult to eradicate.这些昆虫很难根除。
• They are already battling to eradicate illnesses such as malaria and tetanus.他们已经在努力消灭疟疾、破伤风等疾病。
heed
v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心
参考例句：
• You must take heed of what he has told.你要注意他所告诉的事。
• For the first time he had to pay heed to his appearance.这是他第一次非得注意自己的外表不可了。
testimony
n.证词；见证，证明
参考例句：
• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。
trumpet
n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘
参考例句：
• He plays the violin, but I play the trumpet.他拉提琴，我吹喇叭。
• The trumpet sounded for battle.战斗的号角吹响了。
twilight
n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期
参考例句：
• Twilight merged into darkness.夕阳的光辉融于黑暗中。
• Twilight was sweet with the smell of lilac and freshly turned earth.薄暮充满紫丁香和新翻耕的泥土的香味。
tribulation
n.苦难，灾难
参考例句：
• Even in our awful tribulation we were quite optimistic.即使在极端痛苦时，我们仍十分乐观。
• I hate the tribulation,I commiserate the sorrow brought by tribulation.我厌恶别人深重的苦难，怜悯苦难带来的悲哀。
blessing
n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿
参考例句：
• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。
treasury
n.宝库；国库，金库；文库
参考例句：
• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。
unlimited
adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的
参考例句：
• They flew over the unlimited reaches of the Arctic.他们飞过了茫茫无边的北极上空。
• There is no safety in unlimited technological hubris.在技术方面自以为是会很危险。
predecessor
n.前辈，前任
参考例句：
• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。
subverting
v.颠覆，破坏（政治制度、宗教信仰等）( subvert的现在分词 )；使（某人）道德败坏或不忠
参考例句：
• This viewpoint sees the Multinational Corporation as capable of circumventing or subverting national objectives and policies. 这种观点认为，跨国公司能够遏制和破坏国家的目标和政策。 来自辞典例句
• By simply subverting an expectation, a novelist can undermine a prejudice. 藉由完全推翻期待，一个小说家可以逐渐破坏一种歧视。 来自互联网
subverted
v.颠覆，破坏（政治制度、宗教信仰等）( subvert的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某人）道德败坏或不忠
参考例句：
• Their wills could be subverted only by death. 只有死神才能使他们放弃他们的意志。 来自教父部分
• Indiana State laws deliberately subverted the intent of the constitutions 14th Amendment. 印第安纳州的法律有意歪曲联邦宪法第十四条修正案的愿意。 来自辞典例句
systematic
adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的
参考例句：
• The way he works isn't very systematic.他的工作不是很有条理。
• The teacher made a systematic work of teaching.这个教师进行系统的教学工作。
distress
n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛
参考例句：
• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。
haven
n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所
参考例句：
• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。