1969年1月20日，星期一
……
Each moment in history is a fleeting time，precious and unique．But some stand out as moments of beginning，in which courses are set that shape decades or centuries．
历史的每一个时刻转瞬即逝，它既珍贵又独特。可是，其中某些显然是揭开序幕的时刻，此时，一代先河得以开创，它决定了未来数十年或几个世纪的航向。
This can be such a moment．
现在可能就是这样一个时刻。
Forces now are converging that make possible，for the first time，the hope that many of mans deepest aspirations can at last be realized．The spiraling pace of change allows us to contemplate，within our own lifetime，advances that once would have taken centuries．
现在，各方力量正在汇聚起来，使我们第一次可以期望人类的许多夙愿最终能够实现。不断加快的变革速度，使我们能在我们这一代期望过去花了几百年才出现的种种进步。
In throwing wide the horizons of space，we have discovered new horizons on earth．
由于开辟了太空的天地，我们在地球上也发现了新的天地。
For the first time，because the people of the world want peace，and the leaders of the world are afraid of war，the times are on the side of peace．
由于世界人民希望和平，而世界各国领袖害怕战争，因此，目前形势第一次变得有利于和平。
Eight years from now America will celebrate its 200th anniversary as a nation．Within the lifetime of most people now living，mankind will celebrate that great new year which comes only once in a thousand years—the beginning of the third centenary．
从现在起，再过8年，美国将庆祝建国200周年。在现在大多数人的有生之年，人类将庆祝千载难逢的、辉煌无比的新年——第三个百年盛世的开端。
What kind of nation we will be，what kind of world we will live in，whether we shape the future in the image of our hopes，is ours to determine by our actions and our choices．
我们的国家将变成怎样的国家，我们将生活在怎样的世界上，我们要不要按照我们的希望铸造未来，这些都将由我们根据自己的行动和选择来决定。
The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker．This honor now beckons America—the chance to help lead the world at last out of the valley of turmoil，and onto that high ground of peace that man has dreamed of since the dawn of civilization．
历史所能赐予我们的最大荣誉，莫过于和平缔造者这一称号。这一荣誉现在正在召唤美国——这是领导世界最终脱离动乱的幽谷，走向自文明开端以来人类一直梦寐以求的和平高地的一个机会。
If we succeed，generations to come will say of us now living that we mastered our moment，that we helped make the world safe for mankind．
我们若获成功，下几代人在谈及现在在世的我们时会说，正是我们掌握了时机，正是我们协力相助，使普天之下国泰民安。
This is our summons to greatness．
这是要我们创立宏伟大业的召唤。
I believe the American people are ready to answer this call．
我相信，美国人民准备响应这一召唤。
After a period of confrontation，we are entering an era of negotiation．
经过一段对抗时期，我们正进入一个谈判时代。
Let all nations know that during this administration our lines of communication will be open．
让所有国家都知道，在本届政府任期内，交流通道是敞开的。
We seek an open world—open to ideas，open to the exchange of goods and people—a world in which no people，great or small，will live in angry isolation．
我们谋求一个开放的世界——对各种思想开放，对物资和人员的交流开放，在这个世界中，任何民族，不论大小，都不会生活在怏怏不乐的孤立之中。
We cannot expect to make everyone our friend，but we can try to make no one our enemy．
我们不能指望每个人都成为我们的朋友，可是我们能设法使任何人都不与我们为敌。
Those who would be our adversaries，we invite to a peaceful competition—not in conquering territory or extending dominion，but in enriching the life of man．
我们邀请那些很可能是我们对手的人进行一场和平竞赛——不是要征服领土或扩展版图，而是要丰富人类的生活。
As we explore the reaches of space，let us go to the new worlds together—not as new worlds to be conquered，but as a new adventure to be shared．
在探索宇宙空间的时候，让我们一起走向新的世界——不是走向被征服的新世界，而是共同进行一次新的探险。
With those who are willing to join，let us cooperate to reduce the burden of arms，to strengthen the structure of peace，to lift up the poor and the hungry．
让我们同那些愿意加入这一行列的人共同合作，减少军备负担，加固和平大厦，提高贫穷挨饿的人们的生活水平。
But to all those who would be tempted by weakness，let us leave no doubt that we will be as strong as we need to be for as long as we need to be．
但是，对所有那些见软就欺的人来说，让我们不容置疑地表明，我们需要多么强大就会多强大：需要强大多久，就会强大多久。
Over the past twenty years，since I first came to this Capital as a freshman Congressman，I have visited most of the nations of the world．
自从我作为新当选的国会议员首次来到国会大厦之后的20多年来，我已经出访过世界上大多数国家。
I have come to know the leaders of the world，and the great forces，the hatreds，the fears that divide the world．
我结识了世界各国的领导人，了解到使世界陷于四分五裂的各种强大势力，各种深仇大恨，各种恐惧心理。
I know that peace does not come through wishing for it—that there is no substitute for days and even years of patient and prolonged diplomacy．
