奧巴馬關於成功的演講稿
奧巴馬1961年8月4日出生於美國夏威夷州檀香山，美國民主黨籍政治家，第44任美國總統，為美國曆史上第一位非洲裔總統。他的每次演講都能夠激起美國民眾的熱情，以下是小編精心為大家蒐集整理的，希望對大家有所幫助!
篇1
Hello， Chicago!
芝加哥，你好!
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy， tonight is your answer.
假如還有人不相信美國是一個不存在不可能的地方，還有人懷疑開國之父們的夢想依然在影響著我們這個時代，還有人質疑美利堅民主的力量，那麼，他們的疑惑在今夜得到了解答。It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours， many for the very first time in their lives， because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
在學校和教堂外面，人們排起了長長的隊伍，人數之多在美國曆史上前所未有。為了投上自己的一票，他們可以等待三個小時、四個小時。許多人是一生中第一次參加投票，因為他們堅信這一次必須有所變革，而他們的聲音將舉足輕重。
It's the answer spoken by young and old， rich and poor， Democrat and Republican， black， white， Latino， Asian， Native American， gay， straight， disabled and not disabled — Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of red states and blue states; we are， and always will be， the United States of America.
所有的人，無論年輕人還是老年人，無論窮人還是富人，無論民主黨人還是共和黨人，無論黑人還是白人，無論拉美裔還是亞裔， 無論同性戀者還是異性戀者，無論殘疾人還是健康人，他們向全世界發出了同一個資訊：我們從來不屬於共和黨的“紅州”或者民主黨的“藍州”，我們屬於美利堅合眾國，現在如此，永遠如此!
It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical， and fearful， and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
在如此漫長的時期內，曾經有如此眾多的人們對我們說：對於我們的成功，我們應該淡漠，應該害怕，應該不相信。但是，歷史之輪如今已在我們手中，歷史之輪將又一次在我們手中駛向美好未來。
It's been a long time coming， but tonight， because of what we did on this day， in this election， at this defining moment， change has come to America.
通往今夜的道路很漫長，但今夜終於來臨。特殊的一天，特殊的一次大選，特殊的決定性時刻，美國迎來了變革。
I just received a very gracious call from Sen. McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign， and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine， and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Gov. Palin for all they have achieved， and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.
剛才，我接到了麥凱恩參議員一個非常大度的電話。在這次競選中，他作出了持久而艱鉅的努力。為了這個他熱愛的國家，他作出的努力更持久、更艱鉅。他為美利堅做出的犧牲，超出了我們絕大多數人的想象。他是一位勇敢無私的領袖，正因為有了象他這樣的服務，我們才生活得更好。我對麥凱恩參議員以及佩林州長的成績表示祝賀。同時，我也期待著在未來與他們一起為振興國家而共同努力。
I want to thank my partner in this journey， a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware， the vice-president-elect of the United States， Joe Biden.
我要感謝我的競選搭檔，一位全身心投入的男人——當選副總統喬•拜登。為了與他一起在斯克蘭頓街道長大的人們，為了曾與他一起坐那趟回特拉華州火車的人們，他全心全意地竟選，他要為這些普通百姓代言。
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years， the rock of our family and the love of my life， our nation's next first lady， Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia， I love you both so much， and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us， I know my grandmother is watching， along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight， and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
我要感謝下一位第一夫人米歇爾•奧巴馬。她是我家的中流砥柱，是我生命中的最愛。沒有她在過去16年來的堅定支援，我就不可能今晚站在這裡。我要感謝薩沙和瑪麗雅，我太愛你們兩個了，你們將有一條新的小狗，它將與我們一起入住白宮。我還要感謝已去世的外婆，我知道此刻她正在天上看著我。她與其它親人一起造就了今天的我。今夜我思念他們，我知道他們對我的恩情比山高，比海深。
To my campaign manager， David Plouffe; my chief strategist， David Axelrod; and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics — you made this happen， and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.
我要感謝我的競選經理大衛•普魯夫，感謝首席策劃師大衛•阿克塞羅德以及整個競選團隊，他們是政治史上最優秀的競選團隊。你們成就了今夜，我永遠感謝你們為今夜所作出的犧牲。
But above all， I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to — it belongs to you.
但最重要的是，我將永遠不會忘記這場勝利真正歸功於誰---是你們!
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington — it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
我曾經是最沒有可能的候選人。起初，我們的資金不多，贊助人也不多。我們的競選並非始於華盛頓的華麗大廳，而是起於德莫奈地區某家的後院、康科德地區的某家客廳、查爾斯頓地區的某家前廊。It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized， and proved that more than two centuries later， a government of the people， by the people and for the people has not perished from this earth. This is your victory.
這些勞動大眾從自己的微薄積蓄中掏出5美元、10美元、20美元，拿來捐助我們的事業。現在的年輕人曾被認為是冷漠的一代，但正是這些年輕人壯大了我們的聲勢。他們離開自己的家庭和親人，拿著很少的報酬，起早摸黑地助選。上了年紀的人也頂著嚴寒酷暑，敲開陌生人的家門助選。無數的美國人自願地組織起來，證明了在兩百多年以後，民有、民治、民享的政府並未從地球上消失。這是你們的勝利。I know you didn't do this just to win an election， and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight， we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars， a planet in peril， the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight， we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage， or pay their doctor's bills， or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
我知道你們這樣做並不只是為了贏得一場大選，更不是為了我個人。你們這樣做，是因為你們明白未來的任務有多麼艱鉅。今晚我們在歡慶，明天我們就將面對一生之中最為嚴峻的挑戰--兩場戰爭、一個充滿危險的星球，還有百年一遇的金融危機。今晚我們站在這裡慶祝，但我們知道在伊拉克的沙漠裡，在阿富汗的群山中，那些勇敢的美國人正在那裡。為了我們，他們醒來後面對的是一個有生命危險的世界。這些士兵的父母會在孩子熟睡後仍難以入眠，他們擔憂的是如何償還月供，如何支付醫藥費，如何存夠今後孩子的大學費用。我們需要開發新能源，創造新的就業機會;修建新的學校;我們還要迎接挑戰和威脅，並修復與盟國的關係。The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year， or even one term， but America — I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you: We as a people will get there.
前方的道路還很漫長，任務很艱鉅。一年之內，甚至一屆任期之內，我們可能都無法完成這些任務。但我從未像今晚這樣對美國滿懷希望，我相信我們會實現這個目標。我向你們承諾--我們美利堅民族將實現這一目標!There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president， and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you， especially when we disagree. And， above all， I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for 221 years — block by block， brick by brick， callused hand by callused hand.
我們會遇到挫折，會出師不利，會有許多人不認同我得某一項決定或政策。我們知道政府並不能解決所有問題，我會向你們坦陳我們所面臨的困難。我會聆聽你們的意見，尤其是在我們意見不同的時候。最重要的是，我會請求你們一起參與重建這個國家。用自己的雙手，從一磚一瓦做起，這是美國立國221年以來的前進方式，也是惟一的方式。What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek — it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
21個月前那個隆冬所開始的一切絕不應在今天這個秋夜結束。我們所尋求的變革並不只是贏得大選，這只是給變革提供了一個機會。假如我們仍然按照現有方式行事，就沒有變革。沒有你們，就沒有變革。So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves， but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything， it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country， we rise or fall as one nation — as one people.
讓我們發揚新的愛國精神，樹立新的服務意識和責任感;讓我們每個人下定決心，更加努力地工作，彼此關愛;讓我們牢記這場金融危機帶來的教訓：不能允許商業街掙扎的同時卻讓華爾街繁榮。在這個國家，我們屬於同一民族，我們患難與共。Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House — a party founded on the values of self-reliance， individual liberty and national unity. Those are values we all share， and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight， we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
黨派政治，瑣碎狹隘，不成熟，長期以來這些東西荼毒了我們的政治。讓我們牢記，當來自伊利諾伊州的一名男子首次將共和黨的大旗扛進白宮時，伴隨著他的是自強自立、個人自由、國家統一的共和黨建黨理念。這也是我們所有人都珍視的理念。雖然民主黨今晚大勝，但我們態度謙卑，並決心彌合阻礙我們進步的分歧。As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours， "We are not enemies， but friends... Though passion may have strained， it must not break our bonds of affection." And， to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn， I may not have won your vote， but I hear your voices， I need your help， and I will be your president， too.
當年，林肯面對的是一個比目前分歧更深更大的國家。他說：“我們不是敵人，而是朋友……雖然激情可能褪去，但是我們的感情紐帶不會割斷。”對於那些現在並不支援我的美國人，我想說，雖然我沒有贏得你們的選票，但我聽到了你們的聲音，我需要你們的幫助，我也將是你們的總統。And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores， from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world — our stories are singular， but our destiny is shared， and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight， we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth， but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy， liberty， opportunity and unyielding hope.
對於關注今夜結果的國際人士，不管他們是在國會、皇宮關注，還是在荒僻地帶收聽電臺，我們的態度是：我們美國人的經歷各有不同，但我們的命運相同，新的美國領袖誕生了。那些想要毀滅這個世界的人們，我們必將擊敗你們。那些追求和平和安全的人們，我們支援你們。那些懷疑美國這盞燈塔是否依然明亮的人們，今天晚上我們已再次證明：美國的真正力量來源並非軍事威力或財富規模，而是我們理想的恆久力量：民主、自由、機會和不屈的希望。For that is the true genius of America — that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
這才是美國真正的精髓--美國能夠變革。我們的聯邦會不斷完善。我們已經取得的成就，將為我們將來能夠並且必須取得的成就增添了希望。This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election， except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
這次大選創造了多項“第一”，誕生了很多將流芳後世的故事，但今晚令我最為難忘的卻是一位在亞特蘭大投票的婦女：安妮•庫波爾。她和無數排隊等待投票的選民沒有什麼差別，除了一點：她高齡106歲。She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons — because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
在她出生的那個時代，黑奴制剛剛結束。那時路上沒有汽車，天上沒有飛機。當時像她這樣的人由於兩個原因不能投票--一第一因為她是女性，第二個原因是她的膚色。And tonight， I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America — the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes， we can.
今天晚上，我想到了安妮在美國過去一百年間的種種經歷：心痛和希望，掙扎和進步，那些我們被告知我們辦不到的年代，以及我們現在這個年代。現在，我們堅信美國式信念——是的，我們能!At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed， she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes， we can.
婦女曾經沒有發言權，她們曾經希望破滅。但安妮活到了今天，看到了婦女們站了起來，她們發表自己的見解，有了選舉權。是的，我們能。When there was despair in the Dust Bowl and depression across the land， she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal， new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes， we can.
上世紀三十年代，大蕭條橫掃美國大地，一片絕望。她看到了美國以新政、新的就業機會以及嶄新的共同追求戰勝了恐慌。是的，我們能。When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world， she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes， we can.
二戰時期，炸彈降臨我們的海港上空，全世界受到獨裁專制的威脅，她見證了美國一代人的偉大崛起，他們拯救了民主。是的，我們能。She was there for the buses in Montgomery， the hoses in Birmingham， a bridge in Selma and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes， we can.
她看到了蒙哥馬利通了公共汽車、伯明翰接上了水管、塞爾馬建了橋。來自亞特蘭大的一位傳教士告訴人們：我們能!。是的，我們能。A man touched down on the moon， a wall came down in Berlin， a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year， in this election， she touched her finger to a screen and cast her vote， because after 106 years in America， through the best of times and the darkest of hours， she knows how America can change. Yes， we can.
人類登上了月球、柏林牆倒下了，科學和想像把世界連了一塊。今年，在這次選舉中，安妮的手指輕觸電子螢幕，投下自己的一票。她在美國生活了106年，其間有最美好的時光，也有最黑暗的時刻，她知道美國能夠變革。是的，我們能。America， we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight， let us ask ourselves: If our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper， what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
美利堅，我們已經一路走來，我們已經看到了那麼多變化，但我們仍有很多事情要做。今夜，讓我們問自己這樣一個問題：假如我們的孩子能夠活到下一個世紀;假如我們的女兒有幸與安妮一樣長壽，她們將會看到怎樣的改變?我們又取得了怎樣的進步?This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time — to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth that out of many， we are one; that while we breathe， we hope， and where we are met with cynicism， and doubt， and those who tell us that we can't， we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes， we can.
現在，我們有了回答這個問題的機會。這是我們的時刻，我們的時代。讓我們的人民重新就業，為我們的孩子開啟機會的大門;恢復繁榮，促進和平;讓美國夢重放光芒，再證這一重要的真理，那就是：團結一致，眾志成城;一息尚存，希望就在;倘若有人嘲諷我們不能，懷疑我們能，那麼我們就以這一永恆信條迴應，因為它凝聚了整個民族的精神——是的，我們能!
Thank you， God bless you， and may God bless the United States of America.
謝謝大家!願主保佑你們，保佑美利堅合眾國。
篇2
Nong hao! Good afternoon. It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai, and to have this opportunity to speak with all of you. I'd like to thank Fudan University's President Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome. I'd also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman, who exemplifies the deep ties and respect between our nati ons. I don't know what he said, but I hope it was good. ***Laughter.***
儂好!諸位下午好。我感到很榮幸能夠有機會到上海跟你們交談，我要感謝復旦大學的楊校長，感謝他的款待和熱情的歡迎。我還想感謝我們出色的大使洪博培，他是我們兩國間深厚的紐帶。我不知道他剛才說什麼，但是希望他說得很好。
What I'd like to do is to make some opening comments, and then what I'm really looking forward to doing is taking questions, not only from students who are in the audience, but also we've received questions online, which will be asked by some of the students who are here in the audience, as well as by Ambassador Huntsman. And I am very sorry that my Chinese is not as good as your English, but I am looking forward to this chance to have a dialogue.
我今天準備這樣，先做一個開場白，我真正希望做的是回答在座的問題，不但回答在座的學生問題，同時還可以從網上得到一些問題，由在座的一些學生和洪博培大使代為提問。很抱歉，我的中文遠不如你們的英文，所以我期待和你們的對話。
This is my first time traveling to China, and I'm excited to see this majestic country. Here, in Shanghai, we see the growth that has caught the attention of the world -- the soaring skyscrapers, the bustling streets and entrepreneurial activity. And just as I'm impressed by these signs of China's journey to the 21st century, I'm eager to see those ancient places that speak to us from China's distant past. Tomorrow and the next day I hope to have a chance when I'm in Beijing to see the majesty of the Forbidden City and the wonder of the Great Wall. Truly, this is a nation that encompasses both a rich history and a belief in the promise of the future.
這是我首次訪問中國，我看到你們博大的國家，感到很興奮。在上海這裡，我們看到了矚目的增長，高聳的塔樓，繁忙的街道，還有企業家的精神。這些都是中國步入21世紀的跡象，讓我感到讚歎。同時我也急切的要看到向我們展現中國古老的古蹟，明天和後天我要到北京去看雄偉壯麗的故宮和令人歎為觀止的長城，這個國度既有豐富的歷史，又有對未來憧憬的信念。
The same can be said of the relationship between our two countries. Shanghai, of course, is a city that has great meaning in the history of the relationship between the United States and China. It was here, 37 years ago, that the Shanghai Communique opened the door to a new chapter of engagement between our governments and among our people.
而我們兩國的關係也是如此，上海在美中關係的歷史中是個具有意義的重大城市，在37年前，《上海公報》打開了我們兩國政府和兩國人民接觸交往的新的篇章。
However, America's ties to this city -- and to this country -- stretch back further, to the earliest days of America's independence. In 1784, our founding father, George Washington, commissioned the Empress of China, a ship that set sail for these shores so that it could pursue trade with the Qing Dynasty. Washington wanted to see the ship carry the flag around the globe, and to forge new ties with nations like China. This is a common American impulse -- the desire to reach for new horizons, and to forge new partnerships that are mutually beneficial.
不過美國與這個國家的紐帶可以追溯更久遠的過去，追溯到美國獨立的初期，喬治?華盛頓組織了皇后號的下水儀式，這個船成功前往大清王朝，華盛頓希望看到這艘船前往各地，與中國結成新的紐帶。希望與中國開闢新的地平線，建立新的夥伴關係。
Over the two centuries that have followed, the currents of history have steered the relationship between our countries in many directions. And even in the midst of tumultuous winds, our people had opportunities to forge deep and even dramatic ties. For instance, Americans will never forget the hospitality shown to our pilots who were shot down over your soil during World War II, and cared for by Chinese civilians who risked all that they had by doing so. And Chinese veterans of that war still warmly greet those American veterans who return to the sites where they fought to help liberate China from occupation.
在其後的兩個世紀中，歷史洪流使我們兩國關係向許多不同的方向發展，而即使在最動盪的方向中，我們的兩國人民也打造了很深的，甚至有戲劇性的紐帶，比如美國人永遠不會忘記，在二戰期間，美國飛行員在中國上空被擊落後，當地人民對他們的款待，中國公民冒著失去一切的危險保護著他們。而參加二戰的中國老兵仍然歡迎故地重遊的美國老兵，他們在那裡參戰。
A different kind of connection was made nearly 40 years ago when the frost between our countries began to thaw through the simple game of table tennis. The very unlikely nature of this engagement contributed to its success -- because for all our differences, both our common humanity and our shared curiosity were revealed. As one American player described his visit to China -- "[The]people are just like us…The country is very similar to America, but still very different." Of course this small opening was followed by the achievement of the Shanghai Communique, and the eventual establishment of formal relations between the United States and China in 1979. And in three decades, just look at how far we have come.
40年前，我們兩國間開啟了又一種聯絡，兩國關係開始解凍，通過乒乓球的比賽解凍關係。我們兩國之間有著分歧，但是我們也有著共同的人性及有著共同的好奇，就像一位乒乓球人員所說的一樣，那的國家就是一樣，但是這個小小的開頭帶來了《上海公報》的問世，最終還帶來了美中在1979年建交。在其後的30年我們又取得了長足的進展。
In 1979, trade between the United States and China stood at roughly $5 billion -- today it tops over $400 billion each year. The commerce affects our people's lives in so many ways. America imports from China many of the computer parts we use, the clothes we wear; and we export to China machinery that helps power your industry. This trade could create even more jobs on bothsides of the Pacific, while allowing our people to enjoy a better quality of life. And as demand becomes more balanced, it can lead to even broader prosperity.
1979年中美貿易僅有500億美元，而今天美中貿易已經接近4000億美元。貿易在許多方面影響人民的生活，比如美國電腦中許多部件，還有穿的衣服都是從中國進口的，我們向中國出口中國工業要使用的機器，這種貿易可以在太平洋兩岸創造更多的就業機會，讓我們的人民過上質量更高的生活。
In 1979, the political cooperation between the United States and China was rooted largely in our shared rivalry with the Soviet Union. Today, we have a positive, constructive and comprehensive relationship that opens the door to partnership on the key global issues of our time -- economic recovery and the development of clean energy; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and the scourge of climate change; the promotion of peace and security in Asia and around the globe. All of these issues will be on the agenda tomorrow when I meet with President Hu.
在需求趨於平衡的過程中，這種貿易可以是更廣闊的貿易。如今我們有著積極合作和全面的關係，為我們在當前重大的全球問題上建立夥伴關係打開了大門，這些問題包括經濟復甦、潔淨能源的開發、制止核武器擴散以及應對氣候變化。還有在亞洲及全球各地促進和平和穩定，所有這些問題我明天與胡主席會談時都會談到。
And in 1979, the connections among our people were limited. Today, we see the curiosity of those ping-pong players manifested in the ties that are being forged across many sectors. The second highest number of foreign students in the United States come from China, and we've seen a 50 percent increase in the study of Chinese among our own students. There are nearly 200 "friendship cities" drawing our communities together. American and Chinese scientists cooperate on new research and discovery. And of course, Yao Ming is just one signal of our shared love of basketball -- I'm only sorry that I won't be able to see a Shanghai Sharks game while I'm visiting.
1979年的時候，我們兩國人民的聯絡十分有限。當年在乒乓球領域的好奇如今已延伸到許多領域，美國現在數量最多的留學生都來自中國。而在美國的學生中，學中文的人數增加了50%。我們兩國有近200個友好城市，美中科學家在許多新的研究領域和發現領域進行合作。我們兩國人民都熱愛籃球，姚明就是個例子。不過，此行中我不能觀看上海鯊魚隊的比賽，有點遺憾。
It is no coincidence that the relationship between our countries has accompanied a period of positive change. China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty -- an accomplishment unparalleled in human history -- while playing a larger role in global events. And the United States has seen our economy grow along with the standard of living enjoyed by our people, while bringing the Cold War to a successful conclusion.
我們兩國之間的這種關係給我們帶來了積極的變化，這並不是偶然的，中國使得億萬人民脫貧，而這種成就是人類歷史上史無前例的。而中國在全球問題中也發揮更大的作用，美國也目睹了我們經濟的成長。
There is a Chinese proverb: "Consider the past, and you shall know the future." Surely, we have known setbacks and challenges over the last 30 years. Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined -- not when we consider the past. Indeed, because of our cooperation, both the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure. We have seen what is possible when we build upon our mutual interests, and engage on the basis of mutual respect.
中國有句古言，溫故而知新。當然，我們過去30年中也遇到了挫折和挑戰，我們的關係並不是沒有困難的，沒有分歧的。“但是我們必須一定是對手”的這種想法不應該是一成不變的。由於我們兩國的合作，美中兩國都變得更加繁榮、更加安全。我們基於相互的利益、相互的尊重就能有成就。
And yet the success of that engagement depends upon understanding -- on sustaining an open dialogue, and learning about one another and from one another. For just as that American table tennis player pointed out -- we share much in common as human beings, but our countries are different in certain ways.
不過，這種接觸的成功要取決於我們要彼此瞭解，要能夠進行開誠佈公的對話，彼此進行了解。就像當年美國乒乓球運動員所說的，我們作為人有著共同的嚮往，但是我們兩國又不同。
I believe that each country must chart its own course. China is an ancient nation, with a deeply rooted culture. The United States, by comparison, is a young nation, whose culture is determined by the many different immigrants who have come to our shores, and by the founding documents that guide our democracy.
我認為每個國家都應該勾畫出自己要走的路，中國是一個文明古國，它有著博大精深的文化。相對而言，美國是一個年輕的國家，它的文化受到來自許多不同國家移民的影響，還受到我們民主制度檔案的影響。
Those documents put forward a simple vision of human affairs, and they enshrine several core principles -- that all men and women are created equal, and possess certain fundamental rights; that government should reflect the will of the people and respond to their wishes; that commerce should be open, information freely accessible; and that laws, and not simply men, should guarantee the administration of justice.
我有一個非常簡單的嚮往，代表了一些核心的原則，就是所有的人生來平等，都有著基本的權利，而政府應當反映人們的意志，貿易應該是開放的，資訊流通應當是自由的，而法律要保證這個公平。
Of course, the story of our nation is not without its difficult chapters. In many ways -- over many years -- we have struggled to advance the promise of these principles to all of our people, and to forge a more perfect union. We fought a very painful civil war, and freed a portion of our population from slavery. It took time for women to be extended the right to vote, workers to win the right to organize, and for immigrants from different corners of the globe to be fully embraced. Even after they were freed, African Americans persevered through conditions that were separate and not equal, before winning full and equal rights.
當然，我們的國家歷史也不是沒有過困難的地方，從很多方面來講，很多年以來，我們是通過鬥爭來促進這些原則或者使所有的人民能夠享受到。為了締造一個更完美的聯合，我們也打過一個很痛苦的內戰，把一部分我們被奴役的人口釋放出來，經過一段時間才能使婦女有投票權，勞工有組織權，包括來自各地的移民能夠全部被接受。即使他們被解放以後，非洲裔美國人也和美國人經過一些分開的、不平等的條件，經過一段時間才爭取到全面的平等權利。
None of this was easy. But we made progress because of our belief in those core principles, which have served as our compass through the darkest of storms. That is why Lincoln could stand up in the midst of civil war and declare it a struggle to see whether any nation, conceived in liberty, and "dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" could long endure. That is why Dr. Martin Luther King could stand on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and ask that our nation live out the true meaning of its creed. That's why immigrants from China to Kenya could find a home on our shores; why opportunity is available to all who would work for it; and why someone like me, who less than 50 years ago would have had trouble voting in some parts of America, is now able to serve as its President.
所有這些是不容易的。但是我們對這些核心原則的信念使我們取得了進展，在最黑暗的風暴當中作為我們的指南針。這是為什麼林肯在內戰期間站起來說過，任何一個國家以自由、以所有人類平等的原則能夠長久的存在，也就是為什麼金博士在林肯紀念館的前臺站起來，說我們國家要必須真正的實現我們的信念。也就是為什麼來自中國或者肯亞的移民能夠到我們的家，也是為什麼一個不到50年前在某些地方連投票都遇到困難的人，現在就能夠做到那個國家的總統。
And that is why America will always speak out for these core principles around the world.We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation, but we also don't believe that the principles that we stand for are unique to our nation. These freedoms of expression and worship -- of access to information and political participation -- we believe are universal rights. They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities -- whether they are in the United States, China, or any nation. Indeed, it is that respect for universal rights that guides America's openness to other countries; our respect for different cultures; our commitment to international law; and our faith in the future.
這就是為什麼美國永遠為了全世界各地的核心原則說話，我們不尋求把任何政治體制強制給任何國家，但是我們也不認為我們所支援的這些原則是我們國家所獨有的，這些表達自由、宗教崇拜自由、接觸資訊的機會、政治的參與，我們認為這些是普世的權利，應該是所有人民能夠享受到的，包括少數民族和宗教的族群，不管是在中國、美國和任何國家，對於普遍權利的尊敬，作為美國對其他國家的開放態度的指導原則，我們對其他文化的尊重，我們對國際法的承諾和對未來的信念的原則。
These are all things that you should know about America. I also know that we have much to learn about China. Looking around at this magnificent city -- and looking around this room -- I do believe that our nations hold something important in common, and that is a belief in the future. Neither the United States nor China is content to rest on our achievements. For while China is an ancient nation, you are also clearly looking ahead with confidence, ambition, and a commitment to see that tomorrow's generation can do better than today's.
所有這些都是你們知道關於美國的一些情況，我們有很多要從中國學習。我們看看這個偉大城市的各地，也看看這個房間，我就相信我們兩國有很重要的共同點，也就是對未來的信念，不管是美國還是中國，對現在的成就不能感到自滿。雖然中國是一個古老的國家，你們也是充滿信心展望未來，致力於下一代能夠比這一代做的更好。
In addition to your growing economy, we admire China's extraordinary commitment to science and research -- a commitment borne out in everything from the infrastructure you build to the technology you use. China is now the world's largest Internet user -- which is why we were so pleased to include the Internet as a part of today's event. This country now has the world's largest mobile phone network, and it is investing in the new forms of energy that can both sustain growth and combat climate change -- and I'm looking forward to deepening the partnership between the United States and China in this critical area tomorrow. But above all, I see China's future in you -- young people whose talent and dedication and dreams will do so much to help shape the 21st century.
除了你們不斷增長的經濟之外，我們很配合中國在科學和研究方面所投入的力量，包括建設的基礎設施和使用的技術，中國是世界上使用網際網路技術最多的國家，這就是我們很高興網際網路是今天活動的一部分，這個國家也擁有最大的行動電話網路，對新的投資保持繼續增長，應對氣候變化方面有新的投資，我也希望兩國加強這方面的合作。但是更重要是看到年輕人你們的才能、你們的獻身精神、你們的夢想在21世紀實現方面會發揮很大的作用。
I've said many times that I believe that our world is now fundamentally interconnected. The jobs we do, the prosperity we build, the environment we protect, the security that we seek -- all of these things are shared. And given that interconnection, power in the 21st century is no longer a zero-sum game; one country's success need not come at the expense of another. And that is why the United States insists we do not seek to contain China's rise. On the contrary, we welcome China as a strong and prosperous and successful member of the community of nations -- a China that draws on the rights, strengths, and creativity of inpidual Chinese like you.
我說過很多次，我認為世界是互相連線的，我們所做的工作，我們所建立的繁榮，我們所保護的環境，我們所追求的安全，所有這些都是共同的，而且是互相連線的，所以21世紀的實力不在零和遊戲，一個國家成功不應該以另外一個國家的犧牲作為代價。這就是我們為什麼不尋求遏制中國的崛起。相反，我們歡迎中國作為一個國際社會的強的、繁榮的、成功的成員。
To return to the proverb -- consider the past. We know that more is to be gained when great powers cooperate than when they collide. That is a lesson that human beings have learned time and again, and that is the example of the history between our nations. And I believe strongly that cooperation must go beyond our government. It must be rooted in our people -- in the studies we share, the business that we do, the knowledge that we gain, and even in the sports that we play. And these bridges must be built by young men and women just like you and your counterparts in America.
再回到剛才的諺語，我們應該考慮過去。在大的國家合作的時候，就比互相碰撞會取得更多的好處，這就是人類在歷史上不斷吸取的教訓。我認為我們合作應該是超越政府間的合作，應該是以人民為基礎的，我們所研究的內容、我們所從事的生意、我們所獲得的知識、我們所進行的體育比賽……所有這些橋樑必須是年輕人共同合作建立起來。
That's why I'm pleased to announce that the United States will dramatically expand the number of our students who study in China to 100,000. And these exchanges mark a clear commitment to build ties among our people, as surely as you will help determine the destiny of the 21st century. And I'm absolutely confident that America has no better ambassadors to offer than our young people. For they, just like you, are filled with talent and energy and optimism about the history that is yet to be written.
這就是我為什麼非常高興我們要大大地宣佈我們到中國學習的留學生人數，要增加到10萬人。這樣交流就會表現出我們是願意致力於加強兩國人民的聯絡，而且我是絕對有信心的。對美國來說，最好的大使、最好的使者就是年輕人，他們和你們一樣，很有才能，充滿活力，對未來的歷史還是很樂觀的。
So let this be the next step in the steady pursuit of cooperation that will serve our nations, and the world. And if there's one thing that we can take from today's dialogue, I hope that it is a commitment to continue this dialogue going forward.
這是我們合作的下一步，惠及兩國和全世界。今天可以吸收的一個最重要的內容就是我們不斷地向前推進。
So thank you very much. And I look forward now to taking some questions from all of you. Thank you very much.
篇3
Hello, everybody! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. All right, everybody go ahead and have a seat. How is everybody doing today? ***Applause.*** How about Tim Spicer? ***Applause.*** I am here with students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. And we've got students tuning in from all across America, from kindergarten through 12th grade. And I am just so glad that all could join us today. And I want to thank Wakefield for being such an outstanding host. Give yourselves a big round of applause. ***Applause.***
I know that for many of you, today is the first day of school. And for those of you in kindergarten, or starting middle or high school, it's your first day in a new school, so it's understandable if you're a little nervous. I imagine there are some seniors out there who are feeling pretty good right now -- ***applause*** -- with just one more year to go. And no matter what grade you're in, some of you are probably wishing it were still summer and you could've stayed in bed just a little bit longer this morning.
I know that feeling. When I was young, my family lived overseas. I lived in Indonesia for a few years. And my mother, she didn't have the money to send me where all the American kids went to school, but she thought it was important for me to keep up with an American education. So she decided to teach me extra lessons herself, Monday through Friday. But because she had to go to work, the only time she could do it was at 4:30 in the morning.
Now, as you might imagine, I wasn't too happy about getting up that early. And a lot of times, I'd fall asleep right there at the kitchen table. But whenever I'd complain, my mother would just give me one of those looks and she'd say, "This is no picnic for me either, buster." ***Laughter.***
So I know that some of you are still adjusting to being back at school. But I'm here today because I have something important to discuss with you. I'm here because I want to talk with you about your education and what's expected of all of you in this new school year.
Now, I've given a lot of speeches about education. And I've talked about responsibility a lot.
I've talked about teachers' responsibility for inspiring students and pushing you to learn.
I've talked about your parents' responsibility for making sure you stay on track, and you get your homework done, and don't spend every waking hour in front of the TV or with the Xbox.
I've talked a lot about your government's responsibility for setting high standards, and supporting teachers and principals, and turning around schools that aren't working, where students aren't getting the opportunities that they deserve.
But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, the best schools in the world -- and none of it will make a difference, none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities, unless you show up to those schools, unless you pay attention to those teachers, unless you listen to your parents and grandparents and other adults and put in the hard work it takes to succeed. That's what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education.
I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself. Every single one of you has something that you're good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That's the opportunity an education can provide.
Maybe you could be a great writer -- maybe even good enough to write a book or articles in a newspaper -- but you might not know it until you write that English paper -- that English class paper that's assigned to you. Maybe you could be an innovator or an inventor -- maybe even good enough to come up with the next iPhone or the new medicine or vaccine -- but you might not know it until you do your project for your science class. Maybe you could be a mayor or a senator or a Supreme Court justice -- but you might not know that until you join student government or the debate team.
And no matter what you want to do with your life, I guarantee that you'll need an education to do it. You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You're going to need a good education for every single one of those careers. You cannot drop out of school and just drop into a good job. You've got to train for it and work for it and learn for it.
And this isn't just important for your own life and your own future. What you make of your education will decide nothing less than the future of this country. The future of America depends on you. What you're learning in school today will determine whether we as a nation can meet our greatest challenges in the future.
You'll need the knowledge and problem-solving skills you learn in science and math to cure diseases like cancer and AIDS, and to develop new energy technologies and protect our environment. You'll need the insights and critical-thinking skills you gain in history and social studies to fight poverty and homelessness, crime and discrimination, and make our nation more fair and more free. You'll need the creativity and ingenuity you develop in all your classes to build new companies that will create new jobs and boost our economy.
We need every single one of you to develop your talents and your skills and your intellect so you can help us old folks solve our most difficult problems. If you don't do that -- if you quit on school -- you're not just quitting on yourself, you're quitting on your country.
Now, I know it's not always easy to do well in school. I know a lot of you have challenges in your lives right now that can make it hard to focus on your schoolwork.
I get it. I know what it's like. My father left my family when I was two years old, and I was raised by a single mom who had to work and who struggled at times to pay the bills and wasn't always able to give us the things that other kids had. There were times when I missed having a father in my life. There were times when I was lonely and I felt like I didn't fit in.
So I wasn't always as focused as I should have been on school, and I did some things I'm not proud of, and I got in more trouble than I should have. And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.
But I was -- I was lucky. I got a lot of second chances, and I had the opportunity to go to college and law school and follow my dreams. My wife, our First Lady Michelle Obama, she has a similar story. Neither of her parents had gone to college, and they didn't have a lot of money. But they worked hard, and she worked hard, so that she could go to the best schools in this country.
Some of you might not have those advantages. Maybe you don't have adults in your life who give you the support that you need. Maybe someone in your family has lost their job and there's not enough money to go around. Maybe you live in a neighborhood where you don't feel safe, or have friends who are pressuring you to do things you know aren't right.
But at the end of the day, the circumstances of your life -- what you look like, where you come from, how much money you have, what you've got going on at home -- none of that is an excuse for neglecting your homework or having a bad attitude in school. That's no excuse for talking back to your teacher, or cutting class, or dropping out of school. There is no excuse for not trying.
Where you are right now doesn't have to determine where you'll end up. No one's written your destiny for you, because here in America, you write your own destiny. You make your own future.
That's what young people like you are doing every day, all across America.
Young people like Jazmin Perez, from Roma, Texas. Jazmin didn't speak English when she first started school. Neither of her parents had gone to college. But she worked hard, earned good grades, and got a scholarship to Brown University -- is now in graduate school, studying public health, on her way to becoming Dr. Jazmin Perez.
I'm thinking about Andoni Schultz, from Los Altos, California, who's fought brain cancer since he was three. He's had to endure all sorts of treatments and surgeries, one of which affected his memory, so it took him much longer -- hundreds of extra hours -- to do his schoolwork. But he never fell behind. He's headed to college this fall.
And then there's Shantell Steve, from my hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Even when bouncing from foster home to foster home in the toughest neighborhoods in the city, she managed to get a job at a local health care center, start a program to keep young people out of gangs, and she's on track to graduate high school with honors and go on to college. And Jazmin, Andoni, and Shantell aren't any different from any of you. They face challenges in their lives just like you do. In some cases they've got it a lot worse off than many of you. But they refused to give up. They chose to take responsibility for their lives, for their education, and set goals for themselves. And I expect all of you to do the same.
That's why today I'm calling on each of you to set your own goals for your education -- and do everything you can to meet them. Your goal can be something as simple as doing all your homework, paying attention in class, or spending some time each day reading a book. Maybe you'll decide to get involved in an extracurricular activity, or volunteer in your community. Maybe you'll decide to stand up for kids who are being teased or bullied because of who they are or how they look, because you believe, like I do, that all young people deserve a safe environment to study and learn. Maybe you'll decide to take better care of yourself so you can be more ready to learn. And along those lines, by the way, I hope all of you are washing your hands a lot, and that you stay home from school when you don't feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.
But whatever you resolve to do, I want you to commit to it. I want you to really work at it. I know that sometimes you get that sense from TV that you can be rich and successful without any hard work -- that your ticket to success is through rapping or basketball or being a reality TV star. Chances are you're not going to be any of those things.
The truth is, being successful is hard. You won't love every subject that you study. You won't click with every teacher that you have. Not every homework assignment will seem completely relevant to your life right at this minute. And you won't necessarily succeed at everything the first time you try.
That's okay. Some of the most successful people in the world are the ones who've had the most failures. J.K. Rowling's -- who wrote Harry Potter -- her first Harry Potter book was rejected 12 times before it was finally published. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. He lost hundreds of games and missed thousands of shots during his career. But he once said, "I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that's why I succeed."
These people succeeded because they understood that you can't let your failures define you -- you have to let your failures teach you. You have to let them show you what to do differently the next time. So if you get into trouble, that doesn't mean you're a troublemaker, it means you need to try harder to act right. If you get a bad grade, that doesn't mean you're stupid, it just means you need to spend more time studying.
No one's born being good at all things. You become good at things through hard work. You're not a varsity athlete the first time you play a new sport. You don't hit every note the first time you sing a song. You've got to practice. The same principle applies to your schoolwork. You might have to do a math problem a few times before you get it right. You might have to read something a few times before you understand it. You definitely have to do a few drafts of a paper before it's good enough to hand in.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I do that every day. Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength because it shows you have the courage to admit when you don't know something, and that then allows you to learn something new. So find an adult that you trust -- a parent, a grandparent or teacher, a coach or a counselor -- and ask them to help you stay on track to meet your goals.
And even when you're struggling, even when you're discouraged, and you feel like other people have given up on you, don't ever give up on yourself, because when you give up on yourself, you give up on your country.
The story of America isn't about people who quit when things got tough. It's about people who kept going, who tried harder, who loved their country too much to do anything less than their best.
It's the story of students who sat where you sit 250 years ago, and went on to wage a revolution and they founded this nation. Young people. Students who sat where you sit 75 years ago who overcame a Depression and won a world war; who fought for civil rights and put a man on the moon. Students who sat where you sit 20 years ago who founded Google and Twitter and Facebook and changed the way we communicate with each other.
So today, I want to ask all of you, what's your contribution going to be? What problems are you going to solve? What discoveries will you make? What will a President who comes here in 20 or 50 or 100 years say about what all of you did for this country?
Now, your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions. I'm working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books and the equipment and the computers you need to learn. But you've got to do your part, too. So I expect all of you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don't let us down. Don't let your family down or your country down. Most of all, don't let yourself down. Make us all proud.
Thank you very much, everybody. God bless you. God bless America. Thank you.
嗨，大家好!你們今天過得怎麼樣?我現在和弗吉尼亞州阿林頓郡韋克菲爾德高中的學生們在一起，全國各地也有從幼兒園到高三的眾多學生們通過電視關注這裡，我很高興你們能共同分享這一時刻。
我知道，對你們中的許多人來說，今天是開學的第一天，你們中的有一些剛剛進入幼兒園或升上初高中，對你們來說，這是在新學校的第一天，因此，假如你們感到有些緊張，那也是很正常的。我想也會有許多畢業班的學生們正自信滿滿地準備最後一年的衝刺。不過，我想無論你有多大、在讀哪個年級，許多人都打心底裡希望現在還在放暑假，以及今天不用那麼早起床。
我可以理解這份心情。小時候，我們家在印度尼西亞住過幾年，而我媽媽沒錢送我去其他美國孩子們上學的地方去讀書，因此她決定自己給我上課——時間是每週一到週五的凌晨4點半。
顯然，我不怎麼喜歡那麼早就爬起來，很多時候，我就這麼在廚房的桌子前睡著了。每當我埋怨的時候，我媽總會用同一副表情看著我說：“小鬼，你以為教你我就很輕鬆?” 所以，我可以理解你們中的許多人對於開學還需要時間來調整和適應，但今天我站在這裡，是為了和你們談一些重要的事情。我要和你們談一談你們每個人的教育，以及在新的學年裡，你們應當做些什麼。
我做過許多關於教育的講話，也常常用到“責任”這個詞。
我談到過教師們有責任激勵和啟迪你們，督促你們學習。
我談到過家長們有責任看管你們認真學習、完成作業，不要成天只會看電視或打遊戲機。 我也很多次談到過政府有責任設定高標準嚴要求、協助老師和校長們的工作，改變在有些學校裡學生得不到應有的學習機會的現狀。
但哪怕這一切都達到最好，哪怕我們有最盡職的教師、最好的家長、和最優秀的學校，假如你們不去履行自己的責任的話，那麼這一切努力都會白費。——除非你每天準時去上學、除非你認真地聽老師講課、除非你把父母、長輩和其他大人們說的話放在心上、除非你肯付出成功所必需的努力，否則這一切都會失去意義。
而這就是我今天講話的主題：對於自己的教育，你們中每一個人的責任。首先，我想談談你們對於自己有什麼責任。
你們中的每一個人都會有自己擅長的東西，每一個人都是有用之材，而發現自己的才能是什麼，就是你們要對自己擔起的責任。教育給你們提供了發現自己才能的機會。
或許你能寫出優美的文字——甚至有一天能讓那些文字出現在書籍和報刊上——但假如不在英語課上經常練習寫作，你不會發現自己有這樣的天賦;或許你能成為一個發明家、創造家——甚至設計出像今天的iPhone一樣流行的產品，或研製出新的藥物與疫苗——但假如不在自然科學課程上做上幾次實驗，你不會知道自己有這樣的天賦;或許你能成為一名議員或最高法院法官，但假如你不去加入什麼學生會或參加幾次辯論賽，你也不會發現自己的才能。
而且，我可以向你保證，不管你將來想要做什麼，你都需要相應的教育。——你想當名醫生、當名教師或當名警官?你想成為護士、成為建築設計師、律師或軍人?無論你選擇哪一種職業，良好的教育都必不可少，這世上不存在不把書唸完就能拿到好工作的美夢，任何工作，都需要你的汗水、訓練與學習。
不僅僅對於你們個人的未來有重要意義，你們的教育如何也會對這個國家、乃至世界的未來產生重要影響。今天你們在學校中學習的內容，將會決定我們整個國家在未來迎接重大挑戰時的表現。
你們需要在數理科學課程上學習的知識和技能，去治療癌症、艾滋那樣的疾病，和解決我們面臨的能源問題與環境問題;你們需要在歷史社科課程上培養出的觀察力與判斷力，來減輕和消除無家可歸與貧困、犯罪問題和各種歧視，讓這個國家變得更加公平和自由;你們需要在各類課程中逐漸累積和發展出來的創新意識和思維，去創業和建立新的公司與企業，來製造就業機會和推動經濟的增長。
我們需要你們中的每一個人都培養和發展自己的天賦、技能和才智，來解決我們所面對的最困難的問題。假如你不這麼做——假如你放棄學習——那麼你不僅是放棄了自己，也是放棄了你的國家。
當然，我明白，讀好書並不總是件容易的事。我知道你們中的許多人在生活中面臨著各種各樣的問題，很難把精力集中在專心讀書之上。
我知道你們的感受。我父親在我兩歲時就離開了家庭，是母親一人將我們拉扯大，有時她付不起帳單，有時我們得不到其他孩子們都有的東西，有時我會想，假如父親在該多好，有時我會感到孤獨無助，與周圍的環境格格不入。
因此我並不總是能專心學習，我做過許多自己覺得丟臉的事情，也惹出過許多不該惹的麻煩，我的生活岌岌可危，隨時可能急轉直下。
但我很幸運。我在許多事上都得到了重來的機會，我得到了去大學讀法學院、實現自己夢想的機會。我的妻子——現在得叫她第一夫人米歇爾?奧巴馬了——也有著相似的人生故事，她的父母都沒讀過大學，也沒有什麼財產，但他們和她都辛勤工作，好讓她有機會去這個國家最優秀的學校讀書。
你們中有些人可能沒有這些有利條件，或許你的生活中沒有能為你提供幫助和支援的長輩，或許你的某個家長沒有工作、經濟拮据，或許你住的社群不那麼安全，或許你認識一些會對你產生不良影響的朋友，等等。
但歸根結底，你的生活狀況——你的長相、出身、經濟條件、家庭氛圍——都不是疏忽學業和態度惡劣的藉口，這些不是你去跟老師頂嘴、逃課、或是輟學的藉口，這些不是你不好好讀書的藉口。
你的未來，並不取決於你現在的生活有多好或多壞。沒有人為你編排好你的命運，在美國，你的命運由你自己書寫，你的未來由你自己掌握。
而在這片土地上的每個地方，千千萬萬和你一樣的年輕人正是這樣在書寫著自己的命運。 例如德克薩斯州羅馬市的賈斯敏?佩雷茲***Jazmin Perez***。剛進學校時，她根本不會說英語，她住的地方几乎沒人上過大學，她的父母也沒有受過高等教育，但她努力學習，取得了優異的成績，靠獎學金進入了布朗大學，如今正在攻讀公共衛生專業的博士學位。
我還想起了加利福尼亞州洛斯拉圖斯市的安多尼?舒爾茲***Andoni Schultz***，他從三歲起就開始與腦癌病魔做鬥爭，他熬過了一次次治療與手術——其中一次影響了他的記憶，因此他得花出比常人多幾百個小時的時間來完成學業，但他從不曾落下自己的功課。這個秋天，他要開始在大學讀書了。
又比如在我的家鄉，伊利諾斯州芝加哥市，身為孤兒的香特爾?史蒂夫***Shantell Steve***換過多次收養家庭，從小在治安很差的地區長大，但她努力爭取到了在當地保健站工作的機會、發起了一個讓青少年遠離犯罪團伙的專案，很快，她也將以優異的成績從中學畢業，去大學深造。
賈斯敏、安多尼和香特爾與你們並沒有什麼不同。和你們一樣，他們也在生活中遭遇各種各樣的困難與問題，但他們拒絕放棄，他們選擇為自己的教育擔起責任、給自己定下奮鬥的目標。我希望你們中的每一個人，都能做得到這些。
因此，在今天，我號召你們每一個人都為自己的教育定下一個目標——並在之後，儘自己的一切努力去實現它。你的目標可以很簡單，像是完成作業、認真聽講或每天閱讀——或許你打算參加一些課外活動，或在社群做些志願工作;或許你決定為那些因為長相或出身等等原因而受嘲弄或欺負的孩子做主、維護他們的權益，因為你和我一樣，認為每個孩子都應該能有一個安全的學習環境;或許你認為該學著更好的照顧自己，來為將來的學習做準備……當然，除此之外，我希望你們都多多洗手、感到身體不舒服的時候要多在家休息，免得大家在秋冬感冒高發季節都得流感。
不管你決定做什麼，我都希望你能堅持到底，希望你能真的下定決心。 我知道有些時候，電視上播放的節目會讓你產生這樣那樣的錯覺，似乎你不需要付出多大的努力就能腰纏萬貫、功成名就——你會認為只要會唱rap、會打籃球或參加個什麼真人秀節目就能坐享其成，但現實是，你幾乎沒有可能走上其中任何一條道路。
因為，成功是件難事。你不可能對要讀的每門課程都興趣盎然，你不可能和每名帶課教師都相處順利，你也不可能每次都遇上看起來和現實生活有關的作業。而且，並不是每件事，你都能在頭一次嘗試時獲得成功。
但那沒有關係。因為在這個世界上，最最成功的人們往往也經歷過最多的失敗。J.K.羅琳的第一本《哈利·波特》被出版商拒絕了十二次才最終出版;邁克爾·喬丹上高中時被學校的籃球隊刷了下來，在他的職業生涯裡，他輸了幾百場比賽、投失過幾千次射籃，知道他是怎麼說的嗎?“我一生不停地失敗、失敗再失敗，這就是我現在成功的原因。” 他們的成功，源於他們明白人不能讓失敗左右自己——而是要從中吸取經驗。從失敗中，你可以明白下一次自己可以做出怎樣的改變;假如你惹了什麼麻煩，那並不說明你就是個搗蛋貴，而是在提醒你，在將來要對自己有更嚴格的要求;假如你考了個低分，那並不說明你就比別人笨，而是在告訴你，自己得在學習上花更多的時間。
沒有哪一個人一生出來就擅長做什麼事情的，只有努力才能培養出技能。任何人都不是在第一次接觸一項體育運動時就成為校隊的代表，任何人都不是在第一次唱一首歌時就找準每一個音，一切都需要熟能生巧。對於學業也是一樣，你或許要反覆運算才能解出一道數學題的正確答案，你或許需要讀一段文字好幾遍才能理解它的意思，你或許得把論文改上好幾次才能符合提交的標準。這都是很正常的。
不要害怕提問。不要不敢向他人求助。——我每天都在這麼做。求助並不是軟弱的表現，恰恰相反，它說明你有勇氣承認自己的不足、並願意去學習新的知識。所以，有不懂時，就向大人們求助吧——找個你信得過的物件，例如父母、長輩、老師、教練或輔導員——讓他們幫助你向目標前進。
你要記住，哪怕你表現不好、哪怕你失去信心、哪怕你覺得身邊的人都已經放棄了你——永遠不要自己放棄自己。因為當你放棄自己的時候，你也放棄了自己的國家。
美國不是一個人們遭遇困難就輕易放棄的國度，在這個國家，人們堅持到底、人們加倍努力，為了他們所熱愛的國度，每一個人都盡著自己最大的努力，不會給自己留任何餘地。 250年前，有一群和你們一樣的學生，他們之後奮起努力、用一場革命最終造就了這個國家;75年前，有一群和你們一樣的學生，他們之後戰勝了大蕭條、贏得了二戰;就在20年前，和你們一樣的學生們，他們後來創立了Google、Twitter和Facebook，改變了我們人與人之間溝通的方式。
因此，今天我想要問你們，你們會做出什麼樣的貢獻?你們將解決什麼樣的難題?你們能發現什麼樣的事物?二十、五十或百年之後，假如那時的美國總統也來做一次開學演講的話，他會怎樣描述你們對這個國家所做的一切?
你們的家長、你們的老師和我，每一個人都在盡最大的努力，確保你們都能得到應有的教育來回答這些問題。例如我正在努力為你們提供更安全的教室、更多的書籍、更先進的設施與計算機。但你們也要擔起自己的責任。因此我要求你們在今年能夠認真起來，我要求你們盡心地去做自己著手的每一件事，我要求你們每一個人都有所成就。請不要讓我們失望——不要讓你的家人、你的國家和你自己失望。你們要成為我們驕傲，我知道，你們一定可以做到。
謝謝大家，上帝保佑你們，上帝保佑美國。