就职演讲

To those new states whom we welcome to the ranks of the free,
对于那些我们欢迎其参与自由国家行列的新国家，
we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny.
我们要提出保证，绝不让一种形成的殖民统治消失后，却代之以另一种远为残酷的暴政。
We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view.
我们不能老是期望他们会支持我们的观点.
But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
但我们却一直希望他们能坚决维护他们自身的自由，并应记取，在过去，那些愚蠢得要骑在虎背上以壮声势的人，结果却被虎所吞噬。
To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves,
对于那些住在布满半个地球的茅舍和乡村中、力求打破普遍贫困的桎梏的人们，我们保证尽最大努力助其自救，不管需要多长时间。
for whatever period is required not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right.
这并非因为共产党会那样做，也不是由于我们要求他们的选票，而是由于那样做是正确的。
If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
自由社会若不能帮助众多的穷人，也就不能保全那少数的富人。
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge: to convert our good words into good deeds,
对于我国边界以内的各姐妹共和国，我们提出一项特殊的保证：要把我们的美好诺言化作善行，
in a new alliance for progress, to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty.
在争取进步的新联盟中援助自由人和自由政府来摆脱贫困的枷锁。
But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers.
但这种为实现本身愿望而进行的和平革命不应成为不怀好意的国家的俎上肉。
Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas.
让我们所有的邻邦都知道，我们将与他们联合抵御对美洲任何地区的侵略或颠覆。
And let every other power know that this hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
让其它国家都知道，西半球的事西半球自己会管。
To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace,
至于联合国这个各主权国家的世界性议会，在今天这个战争工具的发展速度超过和平工具的时代中，
we renew our pledge of support to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective,
它是我们最后的、最美好的希望。我们愿重申我们的支持诺言；不让它变成仅供谩骂的讲坛，
to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak, and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
加强其对于新国弱国的保护，并扩大其权力所能运用的领域。
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace,
最后，对于那些与我们为敌的国家，我们所要提供的不是保证，而是要求：双方重新着手寻求和平，
before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
不要等到科学所释出的危险破坏力量在有意或无意中使全人类沦于自我毁灭。
总统介绍

约翰·费茨杰拉德·肯尼迪（英语：John Kennedy，1917年5月29日－1963年11月22日），通常被称作约翰·F·肯尼迪（John F. Kennedy）、JFK 或杰克·肯尼迪（Jack Kennedy），美国第35任总统，美国著名的肯尼迪家族成员，他的执政时间从1961年1月20日开始到1963年11月22日在达拉斯遇刺身亡为止。