感恩过去，砥砺前行

2017-12-25ByBarackObama

新东方英语·中学版 2017年12期

By+Barack+Obama

2017年1月，奥巴马卸任美国总统。此前，他给自己的美国同胞写了一封告别信。他说：是你们使我成为一个更好的人。感恩过去，砥砺前行，这或许才是告别的最好境界。

My fellow Americans，

It's a long-standing1） tradition for the sitting president of the United States to leave a parting letter in the Oval Office2） for the American elected3） to take his or her place. It's a letter meant to share what we know， what we've learned， and what small wisdom may help our successor bear the great responsibility that comes with the highest office in our land， and the leadership of the free world.

But before I leave my note for our 45th president， I wanted to say one final thank you for the honor of serving as your 44th. Because all that I've learned in my time in office， I've learned from you. You made me a better President， and you made me a better man.

Throughout these eight years， you have been the source of goodness， resilience4）， and hope from which I've pulled strength. I've seen neighbors and communities take care of each other during the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes. I have mourned with grieving families searching for answers—and found grace5） in a Charleston church6）.

I've taken heart7） from the hope of young graduates and our newest military officers. I've seen our scientists help a paralyzed8） man regain his sense of touch， and wounded warriors once given up for dead walk again. I've seen Americans whose lives have been saved because they finally have access to medical care9）， and families whose lives have been changed because their marriages are recognized as equal to our own10）. I've seen the youngest of children remind us through their actions and through their generosity11）of our obligations to care for refugees， or work for peace， and， above all， to look out for each other.

I've seen you， the American people， in all your decency12）， determination， good humor， and kindness. And in your daily acts of citizenship， I've seen our future unfolding.

All of us， regardless of party， should throw ourselves into that work—the joyous work of citizenship. Not just when there's an election， not just when our own narrow interest is at stake13）， but over the full span of a lifetime.

I'll be right there with you every step of the way.

And when the arc of progress seems slow， remember： America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word "We." "We the People." "We shall overcome."

Yes， we can.

我的美國同胞：endprint

现任美国总统为继任者在总统办公室留下一封离别信是一个悠久的传统。这封信旨在分享我们的所知所学、薄才浅智，或许能够以此协助继任者担起重任，那是这片土地的最高领导和这个自由世界的领袖需要肩负的责任。

但是在我给我们的第45任总统写信之前，我想最后再道一声感谢，感谢我能有幸成为你们的第44任总统。因为在任期间我所学到的一切，都是你们教给我的。是你们将我塑造成一位更好的总统，是你们使我成为一个更好的人。

八年来，你们一直是善良、坚韧、希望之源，让我从中汲取力量。在我们人生最严重的经济危机中，我见证了邻里和社区之间彼此扶持。我曾与那些悲痛的家庭一起哀悼，共同寻求答案，在查尔斯顿的一所教堂找到恩泽。

我曾从年轻的毕业生和新任命的军官那里受到鼓舞。我曾见证科学家们帮助瘫痪者重获触觉，帮助一度被认为没治的伤兵重新行走。我曾看到成千上万美国人的生命得以挽救，因为他们最终获得了医保；也曾看到无数家庭的生活发生了改变，因为他们的婚姻被认为与我们的一样平等。我曾见证那些最稚嫩的孩子们用实际行动和慷慨解囊提醒着我们去践行帮助难民、维护和平，最重要的是，相互扶持的义务。

美国人民，从你们身上我看到了正派坚毅，幽默善良。从你们日常履行公民义务的举止中，我看到了我们的未来正徐徐展开。

我们所有人，无论党派，都应该将自己投入到那份工作中去——那身为公民的喜事乐业中。这不仅仅体现在大选期间，也不仅仅体现在个人有限的利益受到威胁时，而应贯穿我们的一生。

这一路上的每一步我都将与你们同行。

当我们的进步之路看上去变缓时，请记住：美国非一人之国。美国民主中最强大的一个词就是“我们”。“我们人民”。“我们一定会克服”。

是的，我们一定办得到。

1. long-standing：长期存在的；由来已久的

2. Oval Office：（美国白宫的）椭圆形办公室，美国总统办公室

3. American elected：美国候任总统，指已被当选但还没有正式就职的总统，这里指的是特朗普。

4. resilience [r??z?li?ns] n. 复原力；坚韧

5. grace [ɡre?s] n. （上帝的）恩宠，恩典

6. 指查尔斯顿教堂枪杀案（the Charleston church shooting），发生在2015年6月17日南加利福尼亚查尔斯顿市中心的一所黑人教堂，共有九人遇难，犯人是一名白人男性。

7. take heart：获得勇气（或安慰）；受到鼓舞