歐巴馬，美國史上最激勵人心的總統，他的演說更是最值得學習的英文教材!
My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.
各位同胞：今天我站在這裡，為眼前的重責大任感到謙卑，對各位的信任心懷感激，對先賢的犧牲銘記在心。我要謝謝布希總統為這個國家的服務，也感謝他在政權轉移期間的寬厚和配合。
Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often, the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebearers, and true to our founding documents.
四十四位美國人發表過總統就職誓言，這些誓詞或是在繁榮富強及和平寧靜之際發表，或是在烏雲密布，時局動盪之時。在艱困的時候，美國能箕裘相繼，不僅因為居高位者有能力或願景，也因為人民持續對先人的抱負有信心，也忠於創建我國的法統。
So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.
因此，美國才能承繼下來。因此，這一代美國人必須承繼下去。
That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.
現在大家都知道我們正置身危機核心。我國正處於對抗深遠暴力和憎恨的戰爭。我們的經濟元氣大傷，是某些人貪婪且不負責任的後果，也是大眾未能作出艱難的選擇，為國家進入新時代作準備所致。許多人失去房子，許多人丟了工作，許多人生意垮了。我們的醫療照護太昂貴，學校教育辜負了許多人。每天都有更多證據顯示，我們利用能源的方式壯大我們的對敵，威脅我們的星球。
These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land－a nagging fear that America’s decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.
這些都是得自資料和統計數據的危機指標。比較無法測量但影響同樣深遠的，是舉國信心盡失 — 持續擔心美國將無可避免地衰退，也害怕下一代一定會眼界變低。
Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America: They will be met.
今天我要告訴各位，我們面臨的挑戰是真的，挑戰非常嚴重，且不在少數。它們不是可以輕易，或在短時間內解決。但是，美國要了解，這些挑戰會被解決。
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