I will live and lead by these principles: to advance my convictions with civility, to pursue the public interest with courage, to speak for greater justice and compassion, to call for responsibility and try to live it as well.
我为人处事的原则包括:坚信自己而不强加于人,为公众的利益勇往直前,追求正义而不乏同情心,勇担责任而决不推卸。
In all these ways, I will bring the values of our history to the care of our times.
我要通过这一切,用我们历史上传统价值观来哺育我们的时代。
What you do is as important as anything government does.
你们所做的一切和政府的工作同样重要。
I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor.
我希望你们不要仅仅追求个人享受而忽略公众的利益;要捍卫既定的改革措施,使其不会轻易被攻击;要从身边小事做起,为我们的国家效力。
I ask you to be citizens: citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character.
我希望你们成为真正的公民,而不是旁观者,更不是臣民。你们应成为有责任心的公民,共同来建设一个互帮互助的社会和有特色的国家。
Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves.
美国人民慷慨、强大、体面,这并非因为我们信任我们自己,而是因为我们拥有超越我们自己的信念。
When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it.
一旦这种公民精神丧失了,无论何种政府计划都无法弥补它。
When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.
一旦这种精神出现了,无论任何错误都无法抗衡它。
After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson:
在《独立宣言》签署之后,弗吉尼亚州的政治家约翰?佩齐曾给托马斯?杰弗逊写信说:"
“We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong.
我们知道,身手敏捷不一定就能赢得比赛,力量强大不一定就能赢得战争。
Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?”
难道这一切不都是上帝安排的吗?"