評論
打印
Proceeding,fellow_citizens,to that qualification which the Constitution requires before my entrance on the charge again conferred on me,
同胞們，在進行我將開始我被再次賦予的職責之前的憲法所要求的資格儀式時，
it is my duty to express the deep sense I entertain of this new proof of confidence from my fellow citizens at large,
我有責任來表達我對同胞們普遍寄于我的信心這一最新證明的深深情感，
and the zeal with which it inspires me so to conduct myself as may best satisfy their just expectations.
以及激勵我來如此行動以最能滿足他們期望的熱情。
On taking this station on a former occasion I declared the principles on which I believed it my duty to administer the affairs of our Commonwealth.
在前一次就職儀式中，我宣布了我認為我管理聯邦事務的原則。
My conscience tells me I have on every occasion acted up to that declaration according to its obvious import and to the understanding of every candid mind.
我的良知今天告訴我在以往每一個場合中我都根據這些原則的明顯含義和每一個坦誠思維對之的理解來遵守它們。
In the transaction of your foreign affairs we have endeavored to cultivate the friendship of all nations,
在處理外交事務方面，我們努力同所有國家建立友誼，
and especially of those with which we have the most important relations.
特別是那些和我們有最重要關系的國家。
We have done them justice on all occasions,favored where favor was lawful,
我們在所有場合對它們公正，在合法情況下支持它們，
and cherished mutual interests and intercourse on fair and equal terms.
并珍惜相互的利益和公正平等條件下的交往。
We are firmly convinced,and we act on that conviction,
我們堅信，并以此堅信來行動，
that with nations as with individuals our interests soundly calculated will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties,
和國家如同和個人，我們充分計算的利益將不可同我們的道德責任分開，
and history bears witness to the fact that a just nation is trusted on its word when recourse is had to armaments and wars to bridle others.
歷史作證這樣的事實：一個公正的國家以其言為信而其它的則要依靠軍隊和戰爭來約束。
At home,fellow citizens,you best know whether we have done well or ill.
在國內，同胞們，你們最了解我們所做的是優是劣。
The suppression of unnecessary offices,of useless establishments and expenses,enabled us to discontinue our internal taxes.
壓縮不必要的部門，無用的設置和花費使得我們可停止內稅。
These,covering our land with officers and opening our doors to their intrusions,
這些使官員布滿我們的土地并騷擾我們的門戶的做法已開始引起居民的憤惱。
had already begun that process of domiciliary vexation which once entered is scarcely to be restrained from reaching successively every article of property and produce.
這憤惱一旦出現，便很難限制其繼續蔓延至財產和生產的每一方面。
If among these taxes some minor ones fell which had not been inconvenient,
如果在稅收中取消并非不方便的那些，
It was because their amount would not have paid the officers who collected them,
是因為那些稅收還不足以支付那些收稅官員，
and because,if they had any merit,the State authorities might adopt them instead of others less approved.
也因為如果它們有任何益處，州政府就會采用它們來取代那些更難以通過的。
During this course of administration,and in order to disturb it,
在這一執政期間，為了騷擾政府，
the artillery of the press has been leveled against us,charged with whatsoever its licentiousness could devise or dare.
新聞媒體的炮口對準了我們，以其所有能設想和敢于的誹謗來指責我們。
These abuses of an institution so important to freedom and science are deeply to be regretted,
這樣摧殘一個對自由和科學如此重要的機構是非常遺憾的。
in as much as they tend to lessen its usefulness and to sap its safety.
因為它們旨在于消弱其功用和危害其安全。
They might,indeed,have been corected by the wholesome punishments reserved to and provided by the laws of the several States against falsehood and defamation,
它們真應該由某些州立法律所保留和提供的審慎懲罰來糾正；
but public duties more urgent press on the time of public servants,
但更為緊要的公務占據了公務員的時間，
and the offenders have therefore been left to find their punishment in the public indignation.
而只讓那些違反者在公眾的憤怒中得到懲罰。
No inference is here intended that the laws provided by the States against false and defamatory publications should not be enforced;
這里并不意味著關于針對虛假和誹謗的出版物的州立法律無須被強制執行的推論；
he who has time renders a service to public morals and public tranquillity in reforming these abuses by the salutary coercions of the law;
某人如有時間，便為了公眾的道德和寧靜而通過有益的法律強制來改正這些濫用；
but the experiment is noted to prove that,since truth and reason have maintained their ground against false opinions in league with false facts,
但引用這一實驗來證明，是因為事實和理性針對虛假的觀點伙同虛假的事務毫不退讓。
the press,confined to truth,needs no other legal restraint;
限于真正的媒體無須其它法律的限制；
the public judgment will correct false reasoning and opinions on a full hearing of all parties;
在完全聽取各方之后，公眾的判斷會糾正錯誤的推論和觀點；
and no other definite line can be drawn between the inestimable liberty of the press and its demoralizing licentiousness.
而且在無價的媒體自由與其不道德的誹謗之間劃出一條確定的界限不大可能。
If there be still improprieties which this rule would not restrain,its supplement must be sought in the censorship of public opinion
如果仍然有此規則無法限制的不恰之處，則須在公眾輿論檢查中尋找它的補充。
I shall now enter on the duties to which my fellow citizens have again called me,
現在我將要履行我的同胞再次召喚我的職責，
and shall proceed in the spirit of those principles which they have approved.
并將要以他們所認可的那些原則的精神來履行。
I fear not that any motives of interest may lead me astray;
我無懼于任何可能使我迷途的利益目的；
I am sensible of no passion which could seduce me knowingly from the path of justice,
我沒有感到任何能引誘我明知是離開公正之途的欲望，
but the weaknesses of human nature and the limits of my own understanding will produce errors of judgment sometimes injurious to your interests.
但是，人性的弱點和我自身感知的局限將會造成對你們利益有損的錯誤判斷。
I shall need,therefore,all the indulgence which I have heretofore experienced from my constituents;
因此，我需要至今以來從我的選民中得到的所有諒解；
the want of it will certainly not lessen with increasing years.
而且對此的需要肯定不會隨著年代的累積而減少。
I shall need,too,the favor of that Being in whose hands we are,who led our fathers,as Israel of old,
我也需要上帝的恩惠，我們在他的手中，他帶領我們的先父，就如同舊時的以色列，
from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaires and comforts of life;
離開他們的祖國，而植根于一個充滿所有物質和舒適生活的國家；
who has covered our infancy with his providence and our riper years with His wisdom and power,
他以他的眷顧包含我們的童年，以他的智慧和力量包含我們的成熟年代，
and to whose goodness I ask you to join in supplication with me that he will so enlighten the minds of your servants,
我請求你們和我一起懇求他的恩惠，懇求他將開導你們公仆的心智，
guide their councils,and prosper their measures that whatsoever they do shall result in your good.
指引他們的意見，并促使他們行動的成功，這樣他們所做的任何事情都將為你們帶來益處，
and shall secure to you the peace,friendship,and approbation of all nations.
為你們保證和平，友誼，和所有國家的贊許。
