里根总统就职经典演讲附参考译文(下)
With the idealism and fair play which are the core of our system and our strength, we can have a strong and prosperous America at peace with itself and the world. So as we begin, let us take inventory.
We are a nation that has a government not the other way around. And this makes us special among the nations of the earth. Our Government has no power except that granted it by the people. It is time to check and reverse the growth of government which shows signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed.
It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the states or to the people.
All of us,all of us need to be reminded that the Federal Government did not create the states; the states created the Federal Government.
Now, so there will be no misunderstanding, it’s not my intention to do away with government. It is rather to make it work:work with us, not over us; to stand by our side, not ride on our back. Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it; foster productivity, not stifle it. If we look to the answer as to why for so many years we achieved so much, prospered as no other people on earth, it was because here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man to a greater extent than has ever been done before.
Freedom and the dignity of the individual have been more available and assured here than in any other place on earth. The price for this freedom at times has been high, but we have never been unwilling to pay that price.
It is no coincidence that our present troubles parallel and are proportionate to the intervention and intrusion in our lives that result from unnecessary and excessive growth of Government.
It is time for us to realize that we are too great a nation to limit ourselves to small dreams. We’re not, as some would have us believe, doomed to an inevitable decline. I do not believe in a fate that will fall on us no matter what we do. I do believe in a fate that will fall on us if we do nothing.
So with all the creative energy at our command, let us begin an era of national renewal. Let us renew our determination, our courage, and our strength. And let us renew our faith and our hope. We have every right to dream heroic dreams.
我国制度和力量的核心是理想主义和公正态度，我们有了这些就能建立起强大、繁荣并同全世界和平相处的美国。因此，在我们开始之际，让我们看看实际情况。
我们是一个拥有政府的国家，而不是一个拥有国家的政府。这一点使我们在世界很多国家中独树一帜，我们的政府除了人民授予的权力，没有任何别的权力。目前，政府权力已显示出超过被统治者同意的迹象，是时候制止并扭转这种状况了。
我打算压缩联邦机构的规模和权力，并要求大家承认联邦政府被授予的权力同各州或人民保留的权利这两者之间的区别。
我们大家都需要互相提醒自己的是：不是联邦政府创立了各州，而是各州创立了联邦政府。
因此，大家请不要误会，我的意思不是要取消政府，而是要它发挥同我们一起合作的作用，而不是在我们之上的作用；同我们并肩而立，而不是骑在我们的背上。政府能够而且必须提供机会，而不是扼杀机会；促进生产力，而不是抑制生产力。如果我们深究这么多年来我们为什么能取得这么大成就，并获得了世界上任何一个民族都未曾获得的繁荣昌盛，其原因是在这片土地上，我们使每个人的能力和每个人的才智得到了前所未有的发挥。
个人所享有并得以确保的自由和尊严超过了世界上其他任何地方。为这种自由所付出的代价有时甚至相当高昂，但我们从来没 有不愿意付出这代价。
我们目前的困难是与政府机构因为不必要的过度膨胀而干预、侵扰我们的生活同步增加，这决不是偶然的巧合。
我们是世界大国，不能拘泥于小小的梦想， 现在正是认识到这一点的时候。我们并非注定走向衰落，尽管有些人想让我们相信这一点。我不相信，无论我们做些什么，我们都将命该如此，但我相信，如果我们什么也不做，我们将的确命该如此。
为此，让我们掌握一切创造力来开创一个国家复兴的时代吧。让我们重新拿出决心、勇气和力量，让我们重新建立起我们的信念和希望吧。英雄梦是属于我们的特权。
1. curb v. 控制,遏制
Measures have been taken to curb inflation.
已采取措施抑制通货膨胀。
2. smother v. 使窒息, 抑制
He could hardly smother his anger.
他几乎抑制不住他的愤怒之情。
3. foster v. 培养,促进
foster the conception of patriotism.
树立爱国主义的思想。
4. unleash v.解除
Go at once, or I will unleash my dog on you!
立刻走，要不我就放我的狗咬你！
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