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Friends and Fellow Citizens: Called upon to undertake the duties of the first executive office of our country,
朋友们、同胞们: 我应召担任国家的最高行政长官。
I avail myself of the presence of that portion of my fellow citizens which is here assembled to express my grateful thanks for the favor with which they have been pleased to look toward me,
值此诸位同胞集会之时，我衷心感谢大家寄予我的厚爱。
to declare a sincere conciousness that the task is above my talents,
诚挚地说，我意识到这项任务非我能力所及，
and that I approach it with those anxious and awful presentiments which the greatness of the charge and the weakness of my powers so justly inspire.
其责任之重大，本人能力之浅薄，自然使我就任时忧惧交加。
A rising nation,spread over a wide and fruitful land,traversing all the seas with the rich productions of their industry,
一个沃野千里的新兴国家，带着丰富的工业产品跨海渡洋，
engaged in commerce with nations who feel power and forget right,
同那些自恃强权、不顾公理的国家进行贸易。
advancing rapidly to destinies beyond the reach of mortal eye when I contemplate these transcendent objects,
向着世人无法预见的天命疾奔——当我思考这些重大的目标，
and see the honor,the happiness,and the hopes of this beloved country committed to the issue,and the auspices of this day,
当我想到这个可爱的国家，其荣誉、幸福和希望都系于这个问题和今天的盛典，
I shrink from the contemplation,and humble myself before the magnitude of the undertaking.
我就不敢再想下去，并面对这宏图大业自惭德薄能鲜。
Utterly,indeed,should I despair did not the presence of many whom I see here remind me that in the other high authorities provided by our Constitution I shall find resources of wisdom,of virtue ,and of zeal on which to rely under all difficulties.
确实，若不是在这里见到许多先生们在场，使我想起无论遇到什么困难，都可以向宪法规定的另一高级机构寻找智慧、美德和热忱的源泉，我一定会完全心灰意懒。
To you,then,gentlemen,who are charged with the sovereign functions of legislation,and to those associated with you,
因为，负有神圣的立法职责的先生们和各位有关人士，
I look with encouragement for all that guidance and support which may enable us to steer with safety the vessel in which we are all embarked amidst the conflicting elements of a troubled world.
我鼓起勇气期望你们给予指引和支持，使我们能够在乱世纷争中同舟共济，安然航行。
During the contest of opinion through which we have passed the animation of discussions and of exertions has sometimes worn an aspect which might impose on strangers unused to think freely and to write what they think;
在我们过去的意见交锋中，大家热烈讨论，各展所长，这种紧张气氛，有时会使不习惯于自由思想、不习惯于说出或写下自己想法的人感到不安；
but this being now decided by the voice of the nation,announced according to the rules of the Constitution,
但如今，这场争论既已由全国的民意作出决定，而且根据宪法的规定予以公布，
All will of course arrange themselves under the will of the law and unite in common efforts for the common good.
大家当然会服从法律的意志，妥为安排，为共同的利益齐心协力。
All,too,will bear in mind this sacred principle,that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail,
大家也会铭记这条神圣的原则，尽管在任何情况下，多数人的意志是起决定作用的，
that will to be rightful must be reasonable;that the minority possess their equal rights,
但这种意志必须合理才属公正；少数人享有同等权利，
which equal law must protect,and to violate would be oppression.
这种权利必须同样受到法律保护，如果侵犯，便是压迫。
