罗斯福于1937年在白宫的第二次就职演讲
罗斯福于1937年在白宫的第二次就职演讲 英文版
Second Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Wednesday, January 20, 1937
When four years ago we met to inaugurate a President, the Republic, single-minded in anxiety, stood in spirit here. We dedicated ourselves to the fulfillment of a vision—to speed the time when there would be for all the people that security and peace essential to the pursuit of happiness. We of the Republic pledged ourselves to drive from the temple of our ancient faith those who had profaned it; to end by action, tireless and unafraid, the stagnation and despair of that day. We did those first things first.
Our covenant with ourselves did not stop there. Instinctively we recognized a deeper need—the need to find through government the instrument of our united purpose to solve for the individual the ever-rising problems of a complex civilization. Repeated attempts at their solution without the aid of government had left us baffled and bewildered. For, without that aid, we had been unable to create those moral controls over the services of science which are necessary to make science a useful servant instead of a ruthless master of mankind. To do this we knew that we must find practical controls over blind economic forces and blindly selfish men.
We of the Republic sensed the truth that democratic government has innate capacity to protect its people against disasters once considered inevitable, to solve problems once considered unsolvable. We would not admit that we could not find a way to master economic epidemics just as, after centuries of fatalistic suffering, we had found a way to master epidemics of disease. We refused to leave the problems of our common welfare to be solved by the winds of chance and the hurricanes of disaster.
In this we Americans were discovering no wholly new truth; we were writing a new chapter in our book of self-government.
This year marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the Constitutional Convention which made us a nation. At that Convention our forefathers found the way out of the chaos which followed the Revolutionary War; they created a strong government with powers of united action sufficient then and now to solve problems utterly beyond individual or local solution. A century and a half ago they established the Federal Government in order to promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to the American people.
Today we invoke those same powers of government to achieve the same objectives.
Four years of new experience have not belied our historic instinct. They hold out the clear hope that government within communities, government within the separate States, and government of the United States can do the things the times require, without yielding its democracy. Our tasks in the last four years did not force democracy to take a holiday.
Nearly all of us recognize that as intricacies of human relationships increase, so power to govern them also must increase—power to stop evil; power to do good. The essential democracy of our Nation and the safety of our people depend not upon the absence of power, but upon lodging it with those whom the people can change or continue at stated intervals through an honest and free system of elections. The Constitution of 1787 did not make our democracy impotent.
In fact, in these last four years, we have made the exercise of all power more democratic; for we have begun to bring private autocratic powers into their proper subordination to the public’s government. The legend that they were invincible—above and beyond the processes of a democracy—has been shattered. They have been challenged and beaten.
Our progress out of the depression is obvious. But that is not all that you and I mean by the new order of things. Our pledge was not merely to do a patchwork job with secondhand materials. By using the new materials of social justice we have undertaken to erect on the old foundations a more enduring structure for the better use of future generations.
In that purpose we have been helped by achievements of mind and spirit. Old truths have been relearned; untruths have been unlearned. We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics. Out of the collapse of a prosperity whose builders boasted their practicality has come the conviction that in the long run economic morality pays. We are beginning to wipe out the line that divides the practical from the ideal; and in so doing we are fashioning an instrument of unimagined power for the establishment of a morally better world.
This new understanding undermines the old admiration of worldly success as such. We are beginning to abandon our tolerance of the abuse of power by those who betray for profit the elementary decencies of life. In this process evil things formerly accepted will not be so easily condoned. Hard-headedness will not so easily excuse hardheartedness.
We are moving toward an era of good feeling. But we realize that there can be no era of good feeling save among men of good will. For these reasons I am justified in believing that the greatest change we have witnessed has been the change in the moral climate of America.
Among men of good will, science and democracy together offer an ever-richer life and ever-larger satisfaction to the individual. With this change in our moral climate and our rediscovered ability to improve our economic order, we have set our feet upon the road of enduring progress.
Shall we pause now and turn our back upon the road that lies ahead? Shall we call this the promised land? Or, shall we continue on our way? For “each age is a dream that is dying, or one that is coming to birth.”
Many voices are heard as we face a great decision. Comfort says, “Tarry a while.” Opportunism says, “This is a good spot.” Timidity asks, “How difficult is the road ahead?”
True, we have come far from the days of stagnation and despair. Vitality has been preserved. Courage and confidence have been restored. Mental and moral horizons have been extended. But our present gains were won under the pressure of more than ordinary circumstances. Advance became imperative under the goad of fear and suffering. The times were on the side of progress.
To hold to progress today, however, is more difficult. Dulled conscience, irresponsibility, and ruthless self-interest already reappear. Such symptoms of prosperity may become portents of disaster! Prosperity already tests the persistence of our progressive purpose. Let us ask again: Have we reached the goal of our vision of that fourth day of March 1933? Have we found our happy valley?
I see a great nation, upon a great continent, blessed with a great wealth of natural resources. Its hundred and thirty million people are at peace among themselves; they are making their country a good neighbor among the nations. I see a United States which can demonstrate that, under democratic methods of government, national wealth can be translated into a spreading volume of human comforts hitherto unknown, and the lowest standard of living can be raised far above the level of mere subsistence.
But here is the challenge to our democracy: In this nation I see tens of millions of its citizens—a substantial part of its whole population—who at this very moment are denied the greater part of what the very lowest standards of today call the necessities of life.
I see millions of families trying to live on incomes so meager that the pall of family disaster hangs over them day by day.
I see millions whose daily lives in city and on farm continue under conditions labeled indecent by a so-called polite society half a century ago.
I see millions denied education, recreation, and the opportunity to better their lot and the lot of their children.
I see millions lacking the means to buy the products of farm and factory and by their poverty denying work and productiveness to many other millions.
I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.
It is not in despair that I paint you that picture. I paint it for you in hope—because the Nation, seeing and understanding the injustice in it, proposes to paint it out. We are determined to make every American citizen the subject of his country’s interest and concern; and we will never regard any faithful law—abiding group within our borders as superfluous. The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.
If I know aught of the spirit and purpose of our Nation, we will not listen to Comfort, Opportunism, and Timidity. We will carry on. Overwhelmingly, we of the Republic are men and women of good will; men and women who have more than warm hearts of dedication; men and women who have cool heads and willing hands of practical purpose as well. They will insist that every agency of popular government use effective instruments to carry out their will. Government is competent when all who compose it work as trustees for the whole people. It can make constant progress when it keeps abreast of all the facts. It can obtain justified support and legitimate criticism when the people receive true information of all that government does. If I know aught of the will of our people, they will demand that these conditions of effective government shall be created and maintained. They will demand a nation uncorrupted by cancers of injustice and, therefore, strong among the nations in its example of the will to peace.
Today we reconsecrate our country to long-cherished ideals in a suddenly changed civilization. In every land there are always at work forces that drive men apart and forces that draw men together. In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up, or else we all go down, as one people. To maintain a democracy of effort requires a vast amount of patience in dealing with differing methods, a vast amount of humility. But out of the confusion of many voices rises an understanding of dominant public need. Then political leadership can voice common ideals, and aid in their realization.
In taking again the oath of office as President of the United States, I assume the solemn obligation of leading the American people forward along the road over which they have chosen to advance. While this duty rests upon me I shall do my utmost to speak their purpose and to do their will, seeking Divine guidance to help us each and every one to give light to them that sit in darkness and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
罗斯福于1937年在白宫的第二次就职演讲 中文版
富兰克林·罗斯福第二次就职演讲
星期三，1937年1月20日
四年前，当我们聚在一起举行总统就职典礼时，合众国忧心如焚，群情激奋。我们致力于实现一个理想——让全体人民为追求幸福所必不可少的安全与和平环境早日到来。我们合众国人民立下誓言：要把玷污我们传统信仰的人赶出庙堂;要坚韧不拔地、无所畏惧地用行动来结束当时的萧条和失望，我们首先解决了这些当务之急。
我们的誓约没有就此止步。我们本能地认识到更深一层的需要——需要通过政府找到实现共同目标的手段，为每个人去解决复杂文明社会所日益产生的问题。试图不要政府的帮助来解决这些问题，已使我们屡屡碰壁和一筹莫展。因为没有这种帮助，我们就无法从道德上来控制科学的使用;有了这种必要的控制，才能把科学变成人类的有用的仆人，而不是无情的主人。为了做到这一点，我们知道必须找到切实可行的办法，控制那些盲目的经济力量和利令智昏的人。
我们合众国人民认识到一条真理：民主政府生来就有能力保护人民，使他们免遭一度认为是不可避免的灾难，解决一度认为是不可解决的问题。我们听天由命地忍受了几个世纪之后，找到了控制瘟疫的办法，所以，我们不承认找不到控制经济瘟疫的办法。我们拒绝把我们的共同福利问题交给机会的阵风和灾难的狂飙去摆布。
在这方面，我们美国人不是在发明全新的真理，而是在为我们的自治史册写下新的篇章。
今年是制宪会议召开一百五十周年，那次会议使我们成为一个国家。在那次会议上，我们的前辈为摆脱革命战争后的混乱局面找到了出路。他们创立了步调一致、坚强有力的政府，使我们足以在当时和现在都能解决个人或地方根本无法解决的问题。他们在一个半世纪以前建立起联邦政府，目的就是要增进美国人民的普遍福利，确保美国人民的自由幸福。
今天，我们要同样运用政府的力量来达到同样的目标。
四年来的新经验并没有使我们的历史直觉落空。这四年清楚地展现了一条希望之路，即地方政府、州政府和合众国政府都能按时代的要求行事而无需放弃民主。我们过去四年的任务并没有迫使民主去休假。
我们几乎所有的人都认识到，由于人类关系日趋复杂，支配这种关系的权力也必须加强——包括抑恶的权力和扬善的权力，我国的基本民主和人民安全的依据不是不要权力，而是通过诚实和自由的选举制度，把权力交给可以由人民定期更换或连任的人。1787年的宪法并没有使我们的民主软弱无力。
事实上，在过去四年中，我们使一切权力的行使都变得更加民主;因为我们已经开始使私人专断的种种权力恰当地服从于大众的政府。所谓它们不可战胜——凌驾于民主程序之上而又超脱于民主程序之外——这个神话已经被粉碎，它们遭到了挑战，并且已经被击败。
我们摆脱萧条所取得的进步是显而易见的。但是，那还不是你们和我所说的事物新秩序的全部，我们的誓言并非仅仅用旧材料做些修补工作。我们已经在用社会公正这种新材料，开始从原有基础上建立更持久的结构，以便未来几代人更好地利用。
在这方面，我们已经得益于思想和精神上所取得的成就。古老的真理得到了重温;假话虚话遭到了抛弃。我们一直知道，无动于衷的自私自利是不道德的，我们现在还知道，它是不利于经济的。经济繁荣的建筑师们曾自诩符合实际，但随着繁荣的破灭，人们都已经深信，从长远来看经济道德会带来效益。我们正在开始消除实际与理想之间的界线，通过这种做法，我们正在为建立道德更高尚的世界，制作一件力大无比的工具。
这种新的认识，打破了以追名逐利为荣的传统观念。我们开始不再容忍某些人滥用权力，这些人为了利润而背弃了起码的生活准则。在这个过程中，以前得到认可的歪风邪气不会那么轻易地得到宽恕，冷静的头脑下会那么轻易地原谅冷酷的心肝。
我们正在走向一个好心肠时代，但是，我们认识到，除非在有善良愿望的人之间，是不可能存在好心肠时代的。出于这些原因，我理所当然地认为，我们所目睹的最重大变化就是美国道德风尚的变化。
在有善良愿望的人之间，科学加之民主，为个人提供了日益丰富的生活和日益增大的满足。随着道德风尚的这种变化，随着我们重新发现了改进经济秩序的能力，我们已经踏上了持久的进步之路。
我们现在就停下来，从前进的道路上向后转吗?我们要把现在的美国称为希望之乡吗?或者，我们要继续走自己的路吗?因为“每一个时代都是一场梦，不是在消逝就是在诞生。”
我们在面临重大抉择时听到了许多声音。贪图安逸者说：“歇一会吧。”机会主义者说：“这是个好地方。”胆小怕事者问：“前面的路有多难走?”
不错，我们已经把萧条和沮丧的日子远远甩到了后面。我们维持了活力，我们恢复了勇气和信心，我们扩大了思想和道德领域的疆界。但是，我们目前的成绩是在超常形势的压力下取得的。在恐惧和痛苦的刺激下，前进是迫不得已的。当时的形势是有利于进步的。
然而，今天要坚持进步就比较困难了，麻木不仁、不负责任、冷酷无情的自私自利已经重新抬头。这类繁荣的症状可能成为灾难的征兆!繁荣已经在考验我们进步的决心能否持久。让我们再问一问：我们已经达到1933年3月4日那天憧憬的目标了吗?我们已经找到快乐之谷了吗?
我看到一个伟大的国家，地处辽阔的大陆，天赐富饶的自然资源。它的一亿三千万人民和睦相处，他们正在使自己的国家成为各国的好邻居。我看到一个合众国，它能够作出示范，即采用民主管理的方法，可以把国家财富转变成日益广泛的、闻所未闻的人类生活情趣，可以把最低生活标准提高到远远超过仅仅糊口的水平。
但是，我们的民主正面临种种挑战：在这个国家，我看到几千万公民——占人口总数相当大一部分——此时此刻得不到按目前最低标准所规定的大部分生活必需品。
我看到几百万个家庭以微薄收入勉强度日，日复一日处于家庭灾难的威胁之下。
我看到几百万城乡居民，他们的日常生活仍处于半个世纪以前被所谓上流社会称作的不体面状况。
我看到几百万人得不到教育和娱乐，得不到改善自己及其子女命运的机会。
我看到几百万人无力购买工农业产品，而他们的贫困又使其他成千上万人无法投入工作和生产。
我看到全国三分之一的人住不好，穿不好，吃不好。
我不是怀着失望向你们描绘这幅图景的。我是怀着希望来描绘的——因为，当全国都看到并认识到这是不公正现象，就会建议把它消除掉。我们决心使每个美国公民都成为国家注意和关心的对象;我们绝不会把境内任何忠诚守法的群体看作是多余的。检验我们进步的标准，不是看我们是否为富裕者锦上添花，而是看我们是否使贫困者丰衣足食。
如果我对我国的精神和目标有所了解，那么我们一定不会去理睬贪图安逸者、机会主义者和胆小怕事者，我们一定会继续前进。我们合众国绝大多数人都是善良的人，不论男人还是女人。他们不仅都有热诚的奉献之心，而且还有为达到实际目的所需要的冷静的头脑和勤劳的双手。他们会坚持认为，民众政府的各个机构都要运用有效的手段来执行人民的意志。政府的各个成员都作为全体人民的委托人那样去工作，这个政府就是称职的政府，政府随时了解所有情况，它就能不断前进，人民了解到政府所作所为的真实情况，政府就能得到应有的支持和合理的批评。如果我对我国人民的意志有所了解，那么他们会要求务必创造并维持使政府有效的上述条件。他们会要求我国不为不公正的致命弊病所败坏，从而在决心实现和平方面为各国树立起坚强的榜样。
今天，我们在突然发生变化的文明世界上，再一次把我们的国家奉献给珍视已久的理想。世界各地历来存在使人们分离或聚合的力量。从个人抱负而言，我们是个人主义者。但是，当我们作为一个国家去谋求经济和政治进步时，我们就是一个整体，要么共同兴旺起来，要么一起衰落下去。要维持民主的力量，需要以极大的耐心来处理方法上的分歧，并要有虚怀若谷的气度。但是，在众说纷纭之中，可以了解到公众需要的主流。于是，政治领导人就能够指出共同的理想，并帮助实现这些理想。
值此再度宣誓就任合众国总统之际，我担当起领导美国人民沿着他们选定的前进道路奔向前方的庄严职责。在担任这个职务期间，我要尽最大努力按照人民的意图说话，按照人民的意志办事。我要祈求上帝的指引，来帮助我们大家把光亮送给黑暗中的人，并引导大家走向和平之路。
