“I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet’s, the writer’s, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past.”
“我相信人类不会仅仅存在,他还将胜利。人类是不朽的,这不是因为万物当中仅仅他拥有发言权,而是因为他有一个灵魂,一种有同情心、甘于牺牲和能够忍耐的精神。诗人、作家的责任就是书写这种精神。他们有权力升华人类的心灵,使人类回忆起过去曾经使他无比光荣的东西——勇气、荣誉、希望、自尊、同情、怜悯和牺牲。”
Graduates, you have an extraordinary role to play in our future. As you pursue your private passions, I hope you will also develop a passion and a voice to help the world in ways both large and small. Nothing will give you greater satisfaction.
各位毕业生,你们在我们的未来中扮演举足轻重的角色。当你们追求自己所热爱的事业时,我希望你们也会发扬奉献精神,积极发声,在大大小小各个方面帮助改进这个世界。这会给你们带来最大的满足感。
Please accept my warmest congratulations. May you prosper, may you help preserve and save our planet for your children, and all future children of the world.
最后,请接受我最热烈的祝贺。希望你们前程似锦,也希望你们保护和拯救我们这个星球,为了你们的孩子,以及未来所有的孩子。