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I should be destitute of feeling if I was not deeply affected by the strong proof which my fellow citizens have given me of the their confidence in calling me to the high office whose functions I am about to assume.
同胞们满怀信心地召唤我出任这一重要职务，令我十分感动，不然我就是一个缺乏感情的人。
As the expression of their good opinion of my conduct in the public service,
这表明同胞们甚为嘉许我的公职行为，我对此感到心满意足，而唯有竭尽全力做了值得夸奖的工作的人，才能有这种感受。
I derive from it a gratification which those who are conscious of having done all that they could to merit it can alone feel.
我能正确估计到这一职务的重要性以及承担这一义务的性质和范围，
My sensibility is increased by a just estimate of the importance of the trust and of the nature and extent of its duties,
密切相连的义务感受也随之而增加。
with the proper discharge of which the highest interests of a great and free people are intimately connected.
所以我对于正确地履行同我们这一伟大自由民族的崇高利益，
Conscious of my own deficiency,I cannot enter on these duties without great anxiety for the result.
由于意识到自己的不足，所以在开始履行这些义务时，我无法不对将来的结果表示极大的忧虑。
From a just responsibility I will never shrink,
对应尽的责任我决不会裹足不前。
calcuating with confidence that in my best efforts to promote the public welfare my motives will always be duly appreciated,
我颇负信心地认为，只要我尽力促进公共福利，人们就始终会恰当地评价我的动机，
and my conduct be viewed with that candor and indulgence which I have experienced in other stations.
而且会以公正和爱护的眼光来看待我的行为，就像我在其他职位上已经经历过的那样。
From the commencement of our Revolution to the present day almost forty years have elapsed,
从独立革命至今几乎已过去40个春秋，
and from the establishment of this Constitution twenty eight.
而宪法的制定也已有28载。
Through this whole term the Government has been what may emphatically be called self-government.
在此其间，我们的政府一直被强调为自治政府。
And what has been the effect?
其结果如何呢？
To whatever object we turn our attention,whether it relates to our foreign or domestic concerns,
无论我们将目光转向何处，不论是国外问题还是国内问题，
we find abundant cause to felicitate ourselves in the excellence of our institutions.
我们都有足够的理由庆幸我们拥有优越的制度。
During a period fraught with difficulties and marked by very extraordinary events the United States have flourished beyond example.
在充满艰辛和非凡事件的岁月里，我们的合众国还是取得了空前的繁荣，
Their citizens individually have been happy and the nation prosperous.
公民们个个幸福欢乐，国家昌盛发达。
To secure us against these dangers our coast and inland frontiers should be fortified,
为了保障我们免受伤害，我们的海上和陆地防御都应得到加强，
our Army and Navy,regulated upon just principles as to the force of each,
在正义原则指导下的海陆军，
be kept in perfect order,and our militia be placed on the best practicable footing.
应保持最佳状态，国民自卫队也应保持高度戒备。
To put our extensive coast in such a state of defense as to secure our cities and interior from invasion coast in such a state of defense as to secure our cities and interior from invasion will be attended with expense,
为了使我们的城市和内陆不受侵略，而将广阔的沿海地区处于防御状态将耗资巨大，
but the work when finished will be permanent,and it is fair to presume that a single campaign of invasion by a naval force superior to our own,
此项工程一旦完成，其功效将是长久的，但可以设想，
aided by a few thousand land troops,would expose us to greater expense,
由几千陆军配合的一次小小的先发制人的海上侵略将使我们遭受比修建这次工程还要大得多的损失，
without taking into the estimate the loss of property and distress of our citizens,than would be sufficient for this great work.
这还不包括财产损失和人民志气的衰退。
Our land and naval forces should be moderate,
我们应保持陆海军的适度规模，
but adequate to the necessary purposes the former to garrison and preserve our fortifications and to meet the first invasions of a foreign,
但又必须有足够的驻军保卫国界，防御外敌突袭：
