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Inaugural Address of George W. BushJanuary 20, 2001President Clinton, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens:The peaceful transfer of authority is rare in history, yet common in our country. With a simple oath, we affirm old traditions and make new beginnings.As I begin, I thank President Clinton for his service to our nation; and I thank Vice President Gore for a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace.I am honored and humbled to stand here, where so many of America's leaders have come before me, and so many will follow.We have a place, all of us, in a long story. A story we continue, but whose end we will not see. It is the story of a new world that became a friend and liberator of the old, a story of a slave-holding society that became a servant of freedom, the story of a power that went into the world to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer. It is the American story. A story of flawed and fallible people, united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals. The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was ever born. Americans are called upon to enact this promise in our lives and in our laws; and though our nation has sometimes halted, and sometimes delayed, we must follow no other course.Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations. Our democratic faith is more than the creed of our country, it is the inborn hope of our humanity, an ideal we carry but do not own, a trust we bear and pass along; and even after nearly 225 years, we have a long way yet to travel.While many of our citizens prosper, others doubt the promise, even the justice, of our own country. The ambitions of some Americans are limited by failing schools and hidden prejudice and the circumstances of their birth; and sometimes our differences run so deep, it seems we share a continent, but not a country. We do not accept this, and we will not allow it. Our unity, our union, is the serious work of leaders and citizens in everygeneration; and this is my solemn pledge, "I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity." I know this is in our reach because we are guided by a power larger than ourselves who creates us equal in His image and we are confident in principles that unite and lead us onward.America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them; and every immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American.T oday, we affirm a new commitment to live out our nation's promise through civility, courage, compassion and character. America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness. Some seem to believe that our politics can afford to be petty because, in a time of peace, the stakes of our debates appear small. But the stakes for America are never small. If our country does not lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most. We must live up to the calling we share. Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, of community over chaos. This commitment, if we keep it, is a way to shared accomplishment.America, at its best, is also courageous. Our national courage has been clear in times of depression and war, when defending common dangers defined our common good. Now we must choose if the example of our fathers and mothers will inspire us or condemn us. We must show courage in a time of blessing by confronting problems instead of passing them on to future generations.T ogether, we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives; we will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children from struggles we have the power to prevent; we will reduce taxes, to recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise of working Americans; we will buildour defenses beyond challenge, lest weakness invite challenge; and we will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is spared new horrors.The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake, America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our interests; we will show purpose without arrogance; we will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength; and to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth.America, at its best, is compassionate. In the quiet of American conscience, we know that deep, persistent poverty is unworthy of our nation's promise. Whatever our views of its cause, we can agree that children at risk are not at fault. Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God, they are failures of love. The proliferation of prisons, however necessary, is no substitute for hope and order in our souls. Where there is suffering, there is duty. Americans in need are not strangers, they are citizens, not problems, but priorities, and all of us are diminished when any are hopeless. Government has great responsibilities for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools. Yet compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government. Some needs and hurts are so deep they will only respond to a mentor's touch or a pastor's prayer. Church and charity, synagogue and mosque lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and in our laws. Many in our country do not know the pain of poverty, but we can listen to those who do. I can pledge our nation to a goal, "When we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side."America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected. Encouraging responsibility is not a search for scapegoats, it is a call to conscience. Though it requires sacrifice, it brings a deeper fulfillment. We find the fullness of life not only in options, but in commitments. We find that children and community are the commitments that set us free. Our public interest depends on private character, on civic duty and family bonds and basic fairness, on uncounted, unhonored acts of decency which give direction to our freedom. Sometimes in life we are called to do great things. But as a saint of our times has said, every day we are called to do small things with great love.The most important tasks of a democracy are done by everyone. I will live and lead by these principles, "to advance my convictions with civility, to pursue the public interest with courage, to speak for greater justice and compassion, to call for responsibility and try to live it as well." In all of these ways, I will bring the values of our history to the care of our times.What you do is as important as anything government does. I ask you to seek a common good beyond your comfort; to defend needed reforms against easy attacks; to serve your nation, beginning with your neighbor. I ask you to be citizens. Citizens, not spectators; citizens, not subjects; responsible citizens, building communities of service and a nation of character.Americans are generous and strong and decent, not because we believe in ourselves, but because we hold beliefs beyond ourselves. When this spirit of citizenship is missing, no government program can replace it. When this spirit is present, no wrong can stand against it.After the Declaration of Independence was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson, "We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm?" Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate, but the themes of this day he would know, "our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity."We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with His purpose. Yet His purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another. Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today; to make our country more just and generous; to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life.This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm.God bless you all, and God bless America.。
“Vice President Cheney, Mr. Chief Justice, President Carter, President Bush, President Clinton, reverend clergy, distinguished guests, fellow citizens:”“From the day of our Founding, we have proclaimed that every man and woman on this earth has rights, and dignity, and matchless value, because they bear the image of the Maker of Heaven and earth. Across the generations we have proclaimed the imperative of self-government, because no one is fit to be a master, and no one deserves to be a slave.Advancing these ideals is the mission that created our Nation. It is the honorable achievement of our fathers.”“This is not primarily the task of arms, though we will defend ourselves and our friends by force of arms when necessary. Freedom, by its nature, must be chosen, and defended by citizens, and sustained by the rule of law and the protection of minorities. And when the soul of a nation finally speaks, the institutions that arise may reflect customs and traditions very different from our own. ”“In America’s ide al of freedom, the exercise of rights is ennobled by service, and mercy, and a heart for the weak.”1。
大家好！我是乔治·W·布什，一个普通的美国人，一个热爱这个国家的人。
今天，我站在这里，怀着无比激动的心情，向你们宣布：我将竞选美国总统！首先，我要感谢你们，感谢你们在过去的日子里给予我的支持与鼓励。
正是因为有了你们，我才有勇气走上这条道路，为我们的国家、为我们的未来而努力。
我们的国家正处于一个重要的历史时刻。
在全球化的浪潮中，我们面临着前所未有的机遇和挑战。
我们需要一个坚定的领导者，一个能够带领我们走向繁荣、和平与安全的总统。
在过去的几年里，我亲眼目睹了美国人民在困难时刻所展现出的坚韧和团结。
无论是面对恐怖主义的威胁，还是应对自然灾害的挑战，我们始终团结一心，共克时艰。
这种精神，正是我们国家的力量所在。
然而，我们也要清醒地看到，当前美国面临着诸多问题。
经济困境、社会不公、教育落后、医疗体系改革……这些问题困扰着每一个美国人，也考验着我们的国家。
作为一个有责任感的公民，我有义务站出来，为这些问题寻找解决方案。
首先，关于经济问题。
我们知道，过去几年美国经济遭受了严重的打击。
为了恢复经济增长，我们需要采取一系列措施：1. 优化税收政策，减轻企业负担，激发市场活力。
2. 加大基础设施投资，提高国家竞争力。
3. 支持创新，鼓励企业研发，培育新兴产业。
4. 加强对外贸易，拓展国际市场。
其次，关于社会不公问题。
我们要努力缩小贫富差距，让每一个美国人都能享受到公平的机会和待遇。
为此，我们将：1. 提高最低工资标准，保障低收入群体的基本生活。
2. 加强社会福利体系建设，确保弱势群体得到关爱。
3. 严厉打击犯罪，维护社会治安。
4. 改善教育资源分配，让每个孩子都有公平的教育机会。
再次，关于教育问题。
教育是国家发展的基石。
为了提高国民素质，我们将：1. 加大教育投入，改善教育设施。
2. 提高教师待遇，吸引优秀人才投身教育事业。
3. 推进教育改革，培养学生的创新精神和实践能力。
4. 加强职业教育，提高就业竞争力。
布什就职演说（英文版）Chief Justice Rehnquist, President Carter, President Bush, President Clinton, distinguished guests and my fellow citizens, the peacefultransfer of authority is rare in history, yet mon in our country. Witha simple oath, we affirm old traditions and make new beginnings.As I begin, I thank President Clinton for his service to our nation.And I thank Vice President Gore for a contest conducted with spirit and ended with grace.I am honored and humbled to stand here, where so many of America\'s leaders have e before me, and so many will follow.We have a place, all of us, in a long story -- a story we continue, but whose end we will not see. It is the story of a new world that became a friend and liberator of the old, a story of a slave-holding society that became a servant of freedom, the story of a power that went into the world to protect but not possess, to defend but not to conquer.It is the American story -- a story of flawed and fallible people, united across the generations by grand and enduring ideals.The grandest of these ideals is an unfolding American promise thateveryone belongs, that everyone deserves a chance, that no insignificant person was everborn.Americans are called to enact this promise in our lives and in our laws. And though our nation has sometimes halted, and sometimes delayed, we mustfollow no other course.Through much of the last century, America\'s faith in freedom and democracy wasa rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations.Our democratic faith is more than the creed of our country, it is the inborn hope of our humanity, an ideal we carry but do not own, a trust we bear and pass along. And even after nearly 225 years, we have a long way yet to travel.While many of our citizens prosper, others doubt the promise, even the justice, of our own country. The ambitions of some Americans are limitedby failing schools and hidden prejudice and the circumstances of their birth. And sometimes our differences run so deep, it seems we share acontinent, but not a country.We do not accept this, and we will not allow it. Our unity, our union, is the serious work of leaders and citizens in every generation. And this is my solemn pledge: I will work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.I know this is in our reach because we are guided by a power larger than ourselves who creates us equal in His image.And we are confident in principles that unite and lead us onward.America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every immigrant, by embracing these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American.Today, we affirm a new mitment to live out our nation\'s promise through civility, courage, passion and character.America, at its best, matches a mitment to principle with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness.Some seem to believe that our politics can afford to be petty because, ina time of peace, the stakes of our debates appear small.But the stakes for America are never small. If our country does not lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most.We must live up to the calling we share. Civility is not a tactic or a sentime nt. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, ofmunity over chaos. And this mitment, if we keep it, is a way toshared acplishment.America, at its best, is also courageous.Our national courage has been clear in times of depression and war, when defending mon dangers defined our mon good. Now we must choose ifthe example of our fathers and mothers will inspire us or condemn us. We must show courage in a time of blessing by confronting problems instead of passing them on tofuture generations.Together, we will reclaim America\'s schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives.We will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children fromstruggles we have the power to prevent. And we will reduce taxes, to recover the momentum of our economy and reward the effort and enterprise of working Americans.We will build our defenses beyond challenge, lest weakness invite challenge.We will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is sparednew horrors.The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength. And to all nations, we will speak for the valuesthat gave our nation birth.America, at its best, is passionate. In the quiet of American conscience, we know that deep, persistent poverty is unworthy of our nation\'s promise.And whatever our views of its cause, we can agree that children at risk are not at fault. Abandonment and abuse are not acts of God, they are。
布什就职演讲布什就职演讲（中英文） President Bush: Thank you all. Thank you all for ing. We had a long night -- (laughter) -- and a great night. (Cheers, applause.) The voters turned out in record numbers and delivered an historic victory. (Cheers, applause.) Earlier today, Senator Kerry called with his congratulations. We had a really good phone call. He was very gracious. Senator Kerry waged a spirited caign, and he and his supporters can be proud of their efforts. (Applause.) Laura and I wish Senator Kerry and Teresa and their whole family all our best wishes. America has spoken, and I“m humbled by the trust and the confidence of my fellow citizens. With that trust es a duty to serve all Americans, and I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your president. (Cheers, applause.) There are many people to thank, and my family es first. (Cheers, applause.) Laura is the love of my life. (Cheers, applause.) I”m glad you love her, too. (Laughter.) I want to thank our daughters, who joined their dad for his last caign. (Cheers, applause.) I appreciate the hard work of my sister and my brothers. Iespecially want to thank my parents for their loving support. (Cheers, applause.) I“m grateful to the vice president and Lynne and their daughters, who have worked so hard and been such a vital part of our team. (Cheers, applause.) The vice president serves America with wisdom and honor, and I”m proud to serve beside him. (Cheers, applause.) I want to thank my superb caign team. I want to thank you all for your hard work. (Cheers, applause.)I was impressed every day by how hard and how skillful our team was. I want to thank Chairman Mark Racicot and -- (cheers, applause) -- the caign manager Ken Mehlman -- (cheers, applause) – the architect, Karl Rove. (Cheers, applause.) I want to thank Ed Gillespie for leading our party so well. (Cheers, applause.) I want to thank the thousands of our supporters across our country.I want to thank you for your hugs on the rope lines. I want to thank you for your prayers on the rope lines. I want to thank you for your kind words on the rope lines.I want to thank you for everything you did to make the calls and to put up the signs, to talk to your neighbors, and to get out the vote. (Cheers, applause.) And because you did the incredible work, we are celebrating today.(Cheers, applause.) There“s an old saying, ”Do notpray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powersequal to your tasks.“ In four historic years, Americahas been given great tasks and faced them with strength and courage. Our people have restored the vigor of this economy and shown resolve and patience in a new kind of war. Our military has brought justice to the enemy and honor to America. (Cheers, applause.) Our nation -- our nation has defended itself and served the freedom of all mankind. I”m proud to lead such an amazing country, andI am proud to lead it forward. (Applause.) Because wehave done the hard work, we are entering a season of hope. We will continue our economic progress. We will reformour outdated ta_ code. We will strengthen the Social Security for the ne_t generation. We will make public schools all they can be, and we will uphold our deepest values of family and faith. We will help the emerging democracies of Iraq and Afghanistan -- (cheers, applause) -- so they can -- so they can grow in strength and defend their freedom, and then our servicemen and -women will e home with the honor they have earned. (Cheers, applause.) With good allies at our side, we will fight this war onterror with every resource of our national power so our children can live in freedom and in peace. (Cheers, applause.)Reaching these goals will require the broad support of Americans, so today I want to speak to every person who voted for my opponent. To make this nation stronger and better, I will need your support and I will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your trust. A new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation. We have one country, one Constitution, and one future that binds us. And when we e together and work together, there is no limit to the greatness of America. (Cheers, applause.) Let me close with a word to the people of the state of Te_as. (Cheers, applause.) We have known each other the longest, and you started me on this journey. On the open plains of Te_as, I first learned the character of our country; sturdy and honest, and as hopeful as the break of day. I will always be grateful to the good people of my state. And whatever the road that lies ahead, that road will take me home. A caign has ended, and the United States of America goes forward with confidence and faith. I see a great day ing for ourcountry, and I am eager for the work ahead. God blessyou. And may God bless America. (Cheers, applause.) 布什: 此次选民的投票率创下了历史新高带来了历史性的胜利。
布什第二次就职演说演讲全文——将自由带到全世界“世界和平的最大希望在于把自由扩展到全世界。
”今天，按宪法规定我们举行这仪式。
在此，我们来欢庆我国宪法持久的智慧，追寻我们团结全国的深切责任感。
我感佩这时刻带来的荣耀，意识到我们时代的期盼并期待着完成我的誓言，请你们做证。
这是我们第二次聚会，我们的责任并非由我的讲演来确定，它源于我们当前历史时期的要求。
半个世纪以来，美国在遥远的边界上捍卫着我们的自由。
共产主义破产后我们有相对平和，懒散的年月，而后是火光四射的那一天。
我们已明了自身的弱点，我们也深知其根源。
只要世界某些区域酝酿着不满滋生着暴君，就会产生宣扬仇恨和为屠杀寻找借口的意识形态，就会聚集暴力和毁灭的能量，它们会越过严密把守的边界带来毁灭的威胁。
这世界只存在一种力量可以冲决仇恨揭露暴君的虚伪，扶植容忍培育尊严，那就是人类的自由。
我们受常识的指引和历史的教诲，得到如下结论：自由是否能在我们的土地上存在，正日益依赖于自由在别国的胜利。
对和平的热切期望只能源于自由在世界上的扩展。
******基于此，美国的政策是寻求并支持世界各国和各种文化背景下成长的民主运动，寻求并支持民主的制度化。
最终的目标是终结世间的任何极权制度。
这个目标最终不应由暴力达成，尽管在必要时，我们将以武力自卫，并保卫我们的朋友。
自由的性质要求公民去自觉地选择它，捍卫它，并通过立法加以维护，同时保障劣势者。
当一个国家的魂魄最终选择自由时，它的制度将反映着不同于我们的文化和传统。
美国将不会强迫任何国家接受我们的国家体制。
我们的目的，是帮助其他国家找到自己的声音，获得自身的自由，发现自己的自由之路。
终结专制统治的巨大使命是几代人努力的目标。
其难度不是束手无为的借口。
美国的影响有限，但值得庆幸的是，美国的影响也是有力的，我们将充满信心地在追求自由的道路上帮助你们。
我最庄严的责任是保护我的国家和它的人民不再受到任何袭击和威胁。
有些人不明智地选择了试探美国的决心，他们发现了我们坚定的意志。
美国总统就职演说精选篇一：中英文对照美国历届总统就职演说精选之乔治-布什20XX年就职演说(图中英文对照美国历届总统就职演说精选之乔治-布什20XX年就职演说(图.txt遇事潇洒一点，看世糊涂一点。
相亲是经销，恋爱叫直销，抛绣球招亲则为围标。
没有准备请不要开始，没有能力请不要承诺。
爱情这东西，没得到可能是缺憾，不表白就会有遗憾，可是如果自不量力，就只能抱憾了。
inauguraladdressofGeorgew.BushJanuary20,20XXPresidentclinton,distinguishedguestsandmyfellowcitizens: Thepeacefultransferofauthorityisrareinhistory,yetcommoninourcountry.wi thasimpleoath,weaffirmoldtraditionsandmakenewbeginnings. asibegin,ithankPresidentclintonforhisservicetoournation;andithankVicePr esidentGoreforacontestconductedwithspiritandendedwithgrace. iamhonoredandhumbledtostandhere,wheresomanyofamerica'sleader shavecomebeforeme,andsomanywillfollow.wehaveaplace,allofus,inalongstory.astorywecontinue,butwhoseendwewill notsee.itisthestoryofanewworldthatbecameafriendandliberatoroftheold,ast oryofaslave-holdingsocietythatbecameaservantoffreedom,thestoryofapow erthatwentintotheworldtoprotectbutnotpossess,todefendbutnottoconquer.itistheamericanstory.astoryofflawedandfalliblepeople,unitedacrossthegener ationsbygrandandenduringideals.Thegrandestoftheseidealsisanunfoldinga mericanpromisethateveryonebelongs,thateveryonedeservesachance,thatno insignificantpersonwaseverborn.americansarecalledupontoenactthispromi seinourlivesandinourlaws;andthoughournationhassometimeshalted,andso metimesdelayed,wemustfollownoothercourse. Throughmuchofthelastcentury,america'sfaithinfreedomanddemocra cywasarockinaragingsea.nowitisaseeduponthewind,takingrootinmanynati ons.ourdemocraticfaithismorethanthecreedofourcountry,itistheinbornhope ofourhumanity,anidealwecarrybutdonotown,atrustwebearandpassalong;an devenafternearly225years,wehavealongwayyettotravel. whilemanyofourcitizensprosper,othersdoubtthepromise,eventhejustice,ofo urowncountry.Theambitionsofsomeamericansarelimitedbyfailingschoolsa ndhiddenprejudiceandthecircumstancesoftheirbirth;andsometimesourdiffe rencesrunsodeep,itseemsweshareacontinent,butnotacountry.wedonotaccep tthis,andwewillnotallowit.ourunity,ourunion,istheseriousworkofleadersan dcitizensineverygeneration;andthisismysolemnpledge,”iwillwor ktobuilda singlenationofjusticeandopportunity.”iknowthisisinourreachbecauseweare guidedbyapowerlargerthanourselveswhocreatesusequalinHisimageandwe areconfidentinprinciplesthatuniteandleadusonward. americahasneverbeenunitedbybloodorbirthorsoil.weareboundbyidealsthat moveusbeyondourbackgrounds,liftusaboveourinterestsandteachuswhatitmeanstobecitizens.Everychildmustbetaughttheseprinciples.Everycitizenmus tupholdthem;andeveryimmigrant,byembracingtheseideals,makesourcount rymore,notless,american.Today,weaffirmanewcommitmenttoliveoutournation'spromisethroug hcivility,courage,compassionandcharacter.america,atitsbest,matchesacom mitmenttoprinciplewithaconcernforcivility.acivilsocietydemandsfromeach ofusgoodwillandrespect,fairdealingandforgiveness.Someseemtobelievetha tourpoliticscanaffordtobepettybecause,inatimeofpeace,thestakesofourdeba tesappearsmall.Butthestakesforamericaareneversmall.ifourcountrydoesnot leadthecauseoffreedom,itwillnotbeled.ifwedonotturntheheartsofchildrento wardknowledgeandcharacter,wewilllosetheirgiftsandunderminetheirideali sm.ifwepermitoureconomytodriftanddecline,thevulnerablewillsuffermost. wemustliveuptothecallingweshare.civilityisnotatacticorasentiment.itisthed eterminedchoiceoftrustovercynicism,ofcommunityoverchaos.Thiscommit ment,ifwekeepit,isawaytosharedaccomplishment.america,atitsbest,isalsocourageous.ournationalcouragehasbeenclearintime sofdepressionandwar,whendefendingcommondangersdefinedourcommon good.nowwemustchooseiftheexampleofourfathersandmotherswillinspireu sorcondemnus.wemustshowcourageinatimeofblessingbyconfrontingprobl emsinsteadofpassingthemontofuturegenerations.Together,wewillreclaimamerica'sschools,beforeignoranceandapathy claimmoreyounglives;wewillreformSocialSecurityandmedicare,sparingourchildrenfromstruggleswehavethepowertoprevent;wewillreducetaxes,tore coverthemomentumofoureconomyandrewardtheeffortandenterpriseofwor kingamericans;wewillbuildourdefensesbeyondchallenge,lestweaknessinvi techallenge;andwewillconfrontweaponsofmassdestruction,sothatanewcent uryissparednewhorrors. Theenemiesoflibertyandourcountryshouldmakenomistake,americaremains engagedintheworldbyhistoryandbychoice,shapingabalanceofpowerthatfav orsfreedom.wewilldefendouralliesandourinterests;wewillshowpurposewit houtarrogance;wewillmeetaggressionandbadfaithwithresolveandstrength; andtoallnations,wewillspeakforthevaluesthatgaveournationbirth. america,atitsbest,iscompassionate.inthequietofamericanconscience,wekno wthatdeep,persistentpovertyisunworthyofournation'spromise.whate verourviewsofitscause,wecanagreethatchildrenatriskarenotatfault.abandon mentandabusearenotactsofGod,theyarefailuresoflove.Theproliferationofpr isons,howevernecessary,isnosubstituteforhopeandorderinoursouls.whereth ereissuffering,thereisduty.americansinneedarenotstrangers,theyarecitizens,notp roblems,butpriorities,er nmenthasgreatresponsibilitiesforpublicsafetyandpublichealth,forcivilright sandcommonschools.Yetcompassionistheworkofanation,notjustagovernm ent.Someneedsandhurtsaresodeeptheywillonlyrespondtoamentor'sto uchorapastor'sprayer.churchandcharity,synagogueandmosquelendourcommunitiestheirhumanity,andtheywillhaveanhonoredplaceinourplansan dinourlaws.manyinourcountrydonotknowthepainofpoverty,butwecanlisten tothosewhodo.icanpledgeournationtoagoal,”whenweseethatw oundedtrave lerontheroadtoJericho,wewillnotpasstotheotherside.”america,atitsbest,isaplacewherepersonalresponsibilityisvaluedandexpecte d.Encouragingresponsibilityisnotasearchforscapegoats,itisacalltoconscien ce.Thoughitrequiressacrifice,itbringsadeeperfulfillment.wefindthefullness oflifenotonlyinoptions,butincommitments.wefindthatchildrenandcommun ityarethecommitmentsthatsetusfree.ourpublicinterestdependsonprivatecha racter,oncivicdutyandfamilybondsandbasicfairness,onuncounted,unhonor edactsofdecencywhichgivedirectiontoourfreedom.Sometimesinlifewearec alledtodogreatthings.Butasasaintofourtimeshassaid,everydaywearecalledt odosmallthingswithgreatlove.Themostimportanttasksofademocracyaredon ebyeveryone.iwillliveandleadbytheseprinciples,”toadvancemyconvictions withcivility,topursuethepublicinterestwithcourage,tospeakforgreaterjustic eandcompassion,tocallforresponsibilityandtrytoliveitaswell.”inallofthese ways,iwillbringthevaluesofourhistorytothecareofourtimes. whatyoudoisasimportantasanythinggovernmentdoes.iaskyoutoseekacomm ongoodbeyondyourcomfort;todefendneededreformsagainsteasyattacks;tos erveyournation,beginningwithyourneighbor.iaskyoutobecitizens.citizens,n otspectators;citizens,notsubjects;responsiblecitizens,buildingcommunities ofserviceandanationofcharacter.americansaregenerousandstronganddecent,notbecausewebelieveinourselv es,butbecauseweholdbeliefsbeyondourselves.whenthisspiritofcitizenshipis missing,nogovernmentprogramcanreplaceit.whenthisspiritispresent,nowro ngcanstandagainstit. afterthedeclarationofindependencewassigned,VirginiastatesmanJohnPage wrotetoThomasJefferson,”weknowtheraceisnottotheswiftnorthebattletothe strong.doyounotthinkanangelridesinthewhirlwindanddirectsthisstorm?”m uchtimehaspassedsinceJeffersonarrivedforhisinauguration.Theyearsandch angesaccumulate,but thethemesofthisdayhewouldknow,”ournation's grandstoryofcourageanditssimpledreamofdignity.”wearenotthisstory'sauthor,whofillstimeandeternitywithHispurpose. YetHispurposeisachievedinourduty,andourdutyisfulfilledinservicetoonean other.nevertiring,neveryielding,neverfinishing,werenewthatpurposetoday; tomakeourcountrymorejustandgenerous;toaffirmthedignityofourlivesande verylife.Thisworkcontinues.Thisstorygoeson.andanangelstillridesinthewhirlwinda nddirectsthisstorm.Godblessyouall,andGodblessamerica.乔治-布什20XX年就职演说谢谢大家！尊敬的芮恩奎斯特大法官，卡特总统，布什总统，克林顿总统，尊敬的来宾们，我的同胞们，这次权利的和平过渡在历史上是罕见的，但在美国是平常的。
美国历届总统就职演讲（大全）内容简介美国总统的就职演讲是美国政治的一种形式，但它已经成为了美国的一种文化，美国总统的演讲辞更成为美国、乃至世界的文化遗产。
美国是实行总统制的典型国家。
美国总统身兼国家元首和行政首脑，在三权分立的政治结构中居重要地位。
美国实行总统内阁制，每四年选举一次总统，可连选连任一次。
每当新总统当选后，便要举行庄严而隆重的就职典礼。
这是美国政治生活中的一项重大的庆典。
总统就职典礼一般有4个程序：首先是就职宣誓；宣誓之后，总统发表就职演说；演说完毕，便开始盛大的庆祝游行；最后举行舞会。
美国总统借就职演说，表明自己政见和立场，起着鼓舞人民、教育人民的作用。
为了给人民留下良好的印象，总统对演说词斟酌推敲，以求打动人心。
好的演说词常常诞生在重大历史时刻，时势造英雄，这演说词也造就了传诵千古的名篇。
这里收集的《美国历届总统就职演讲（大全）》主要参考了李其荣《美国历届总统就职演讲辞》，另有一部分是从网络媒体下载的，并增加了最新的2013年奥巴马第二次就职演讲内容。
但第二十四届第二十一任切斯特·艾伦·阿瑟、第二十九届第二十六任西奥多•罗斯福、第三十四届第三十任卡尔文-柯立芝、第四十届第三十三任哈里·杜鲁门和第四十四届第三十六任林顿·约翰逊的就职演讲译文未找到。
截至目前，这个版本应该是收集的美国总统就职演讲大全了。
另附李其荣《美国历届总统就职演讲辞》“前言”。
目录第一届第一任乔治·华盛顿（1789～1793）首次就职演讲第二届第一任乔治·华盛顿（1793～1797）第二次就职演讲第三届第二任约翰·亚当斯（1797～1801）就职演讲第四届第三任托马斯·杰斐逊（1801～1805）首次就职演讲第五届第三任托马斯·杰斐逊（1805～1809）第二次就职演讲第六届第四任詹姆斯·麦迪逊（1809～1813）首次就职演讲第七届第四任詹姆斯·麦迪逊（1813-1817）第二次就职演讲第八届第五任詹姆斯·门罗（1817-1821）首次就职演讲第九届第五任詹姆斯·门罗（1821～1825）第二次就职演讲第十届第六任约翰·昆西·亚当斯（1825～1829）就职演讲第十一届第七任安德鲁·杰克逊（1829-1833）首次就职演讲第十二届第七任安德鲁·杰克逊（1833～1837）第二次就职演讲第十三届第八任马丁·范·布伦（1837～1841）就职演讲第十四届第九任威廉·亨利·哈里森（1841）就职演讲第十四届第十任约翰·泰勒（1841～1845）就职演讲第十五届第十一任詹姆斯·波尔克（1845～1849）就职演讲第十六届第十二任扎卡里·泰勒（1849～1850）就职演讲第十六届第十三任米勒德·菲尔莫尔（1850～1853）就职演讲第十七届第十四任富兰克林·皮尔斯（1853～1857）就职演讲第十八届第十五任詹姆斯·布坎南（1857～1861）就职演讲第十九届第十六任亚伯拉罕·林肯（1861～1865）首次就职演讲第二十届第十六任亚伯拉罕·林肯（1865）第二次就职演讲第二十届第十七任安德鲁·约翰逊（1865～1869）就职演讲第二十一届第十八任尤利西斯·格兰特（1869-1873）首次就职演讲第二十二届第十八任尤利西斯·格兰特（1873～1877）第二次就职演讲第二十三届第十九任拉瑟福德·海斯（1877～1881）就职演讲第二十四届第二十任詹姆斯·加菲尔德（1881）就职演讲第二十四届第二十一任切斯特·艾伦·阿瑟（1881～1885）就职演讲（暂无演讲词）第二十五届第二十二任格罗弗·克利夫兰（1885～1889）就职演讲第二十六届第二十三任本杰明·哈里森（1889-1893）就职演讲第二十七届第二十四任格罗弗·克利夫兰（1893～1897）就职演讲第二十八届第二十五任威廉·麦金莱（1897～1901）首次就职演讲第二十九届第二十五任威廉·麦金莱（1901）第二次就职演讲第二十九届第二十六任西奥多·罗斯福（1901～1905）首次就职演讲第三十届第二十六任西奥多·罗斯福（1905～1909）第二次就职演讲第三十一届第二十七任威廉·塔夫特（1909～1913）就职演讲第三十二届第二十八任伍德罗·威尔逊（1913-1917）首次就职演讲第三十三届第二十八任伍德罗·威尔逊（1917～1921）第二次就职演讲第三十四届第二十九任华伦·哈丁（1921～1923）就职演讲第三十四届第三十任卡尔文-柯立芝（1923～1925）就职演讲第三十五届第三十任卡尔文-柯立芝（1925-1929）就职演讲第三十六届第三十一任赫伯特·胡佛（1929～1933）就职演讲第三十七届第三十二任富兰克林·罗斯福（1933～1937）首次就职演讲第三十八届第三十二任富兰克林·罗斯福（1937～1941）第二次就职演讲第三十九届第三十二任富兰克林·罗斯福（1941～1945）第三次就职演讲第四十届第三十二任富兰克林·罗斯福（1945）第四次就职演讲第四十届第三十三任哈里·杜鲁门（1945～1949）首次就职演讲（暂无演讲词）第四十一届第三十三任哈里·杜鲁门（1949～1953）第二次就职演讲第四十二届第三十四任德怀特·艾森豪威尔威尔（1953-1957）首次就职演讲第四十三届第三十四任德怀特·艾森豪威尔威尔（1957～1961）第二次就职演讲第四十四届第三十五任约翰·肯尼迪（1961～1963）就职演讲第四十四届第三十六任林顿·约翰逊（1963～1965）首次就职演讲（无演讲词）第四十五届第三十六任林顿·约翰逊（1965～1969）第二次就职演讲第四十六届第三十七任理查德德·尼克松（1969～1973）首次就职演讲第四十七届第三十七任理查德德·尼克松（1973～1974）第二次就职演讲第四十七届第三十八任杰拉德·鲁道夫·福特（1974～1977）就职演讲第四十八届第三十九任杰米·卡特（1977～1981）就职演讲第四十九届第四十任罗纳德·里根（1981-1985）首次就职演讲第五十届第四十任罗纳德·里根（1985-1989）第二次就职演讲第五十一届第四十一任乔治·布什（1989～1993）就职演讲第五十二届第四十二任比尔·克林顿（1993～1997）首次就职演讲第五十三届第四十二任比尔·克林顿（1997-2001）第二次就职演讲第五十四届第四十三任乔治·沃克·布什（2001～2005）首次就职演讲第五十五届第四十三任乔治·沃克·布什（2005～2009）第二次就职演讲第五十六届第四十四任巴拉克·奥巴马（2008～2013）首次就职演讲第五十七届第四十四任巴拉克·奥巴马（2013～2017）第二次就职演讲（注：以下所谓届、任——届：根据美国宪法，总统选举每四年举行一次，总统任期四年，任满四年为一届。
布什就职演讲稿：重塑美国梦。
布什在演讲中特别提到了“美国梦”，他说，“我们每个人都想追求自己的梦想和理想。
这就是‘美国梦’”。
布什认为美国梦的核心是自由和机会，但他也指出，这样的梦想只有在一个安全、自由和和平的环境下才能实现。
为了实现这个梦想，布什提出了“注重教育、更多机会、社会责任感和自由的新契约”的理念。
这个新契约将帮助每个美国公民实现他们的梦想和目标，同时也将帮助改善美国整体的经济和社会状况，使之更加公平和富有活力。
其中，布什强调了对教育的重视。
他说，“我们必须改变我们的教育体系，让每个学生都能有机会去接受最好的教育”。
他希望人们通过教育来实现自己的梦想和目标，同时也能够为美国的未来做出贡献。
此外，布什还提出了加强社会责任感的要求。
他称，“我们必须提高个人、企业和政府的责任感，推动社会的发展和进步”。
通过加强社会责任感，人们将更加关注自己的行为对社会的影响，为美国的未来做出更多的贡献。
此外，布什还强调了自由和机会的重要性。
他认为，自由的发展和完善是美国梦的基石，唯有这样才能使机会更广、更公平，实现更多的自我价值。
正是这种价值观塑造出了这个伟大的国家和众多拥有属于自己的事业的人们。
在演讲的布什用“许愿池”的形象勉励人们：相信自己的梦想，认真规划，努力奋斗，最终终于有所成就。
他说，“愿一切美好的愿望都可以变成现实，愿未来总能带给我们希望和机会。
”通过这一演讲，布什旨在打造一个更加美好和繁荣的未来。
他提出的理念和政策不仅影响了美国，也改变了整个世界的态势。
人们也在这样的团结和鼓励中掀起希望的浪潮，迈向更加美好的未来。
总之，布什的就职演说，极大地鼓舞了美国人民，使之再次梦想起自己的美好未来。
这篇演讲在历史上留下了重要一笔，不仅带来了美好的未来，也成为了历史和现实的纽带。
《【布什精彩演讲稿(中英对照)】布什总统竞选成功演讲》摘要：Rq,rrr,rBrl,ggllz,lrrrrrr,rrl,rlrkbgg，lrzrr,rbr,v,rrbrrlblglrrrbrrrr,r,br，r,b,qr,k,rvrrr"r布什演讲稿（英对照）k!Rq,rrr,rBrl,ggllz,lrrrrrr,rrl,rlrkbggbg,krlrrvrkVrGrrrgrrblr,rr"lrvbr,llllvl,ll,lgrr,bllrrlbrlbrrl,rlvlgbrvr,rrrlrb,bqrrrrlllbll,rgrbgrrglgrllgrrvrblg,vrrv,grvrbrrrllrrlvrlgrl,l,llrrrglr,r"rrrkrgg,kgrrrrrrr,brr,lrrb,rbrlgvrrl5r,vlgrvllrzrr,rbr,v,rrbrrlblglrrrbrrrr,r,br,llllr,r,rrklrzvrgrllgllrkblglrkrrbrgbrlrgrrlvrqlgrrllrrvrbbblrbrrlrbblvbrbkgr,lbvrrbzvrlbgrlvrzlvrgr,bgl,krrr,l,r,rlvr"rrgvl,rg,rrr,b,rlrrvlvlrgllr,rlgrgvblvrlrbb,,krbrllBkrrrvrllrrlr,llblrrlrrklgrr,lllrgrrlrrrl,vlrblllr lvllgrvlrrrvr,vr,k,rlr,b,lrgrlrgblrrr,ggrrgxlrrrllrrrgblgbrgrblgrgrgr,llrlr"l,brgrlrglvllrrlrr,rgrlrrrgglvrrvllrx,rvrrrrrrrrkgr布什演讲稿（英对照）llblrbllg,lkvllgllrr,rrrrrlbrrrlkkrrggrlbrb,gblrvrrllrllrrllrrrgllggrbrlvrgll,llkrvlgvrbr r,b,qr,k,rvrrr"rvrrv,grlrrkrlbbrG,rlrlvrlrr,vrr,brrrrlrrrg,rrrrgr,rz,rbl,brrllrrlGvrgrrblrblbll,rvlrglrk,gvrrrlllrr"rr"rrrr,ggqlrr,llvrlrlrlrrkvr,bllgrglrvlrrr,llrr,b,lrrlrblvlxrggrblrrg,llgrqrr,grlllllll,blrrrrblrrvrr,vlbbr,,rgvrrrlrllgrgBr,vrrllllggrlvrkrrbvrlllvlbrlvvvl,rblrrg,krgrr,llrrblrlvllll,llgvlrrrrrggvrkkgbrr;rrgk;rvr,bggrgbrkbzz,r;z,b;rblz,blgrvrrrrgrrg,bblvrlv,bblblbrlvrzg,gvrrgrrlrr,rggrlrg,Vrggrr"krrblrgkglrrlrr?"rrrvrgrrglBlkr"grrrglrgrr"r,llrrrvr,rlllrvrvrrg,vrlg,vrg,rr,krrrgr,rgrlvvrlrkrgglllrrlrrGblll,Gblr谢谢尊敬芮恩奎斯特法官卡特总统布什总统克林顿总统尊敬宾们我胞们布什演讲稿（英对照）这次权利和平渡历史上是罕见但美国是平常我们以朴素宣誓庄严地维护了古老传统开始了新历程首先我要感谢克林顿总统这国作出贡献也感谢副总统戈尔竞选程热情与风这里我很荣幸也有受宠若惊我前许多美国领导人从这里起步；我也会有许多领导人从这里继续前进美国悠久历史我们每人都有己位置；我们还继续推动着历史前进但是我们不可能看到它尽头这是部新世界发展史是部浪推前浪历史这是部美国由奴隶制社会发展成崇尚由社会历史这是强国保护而不是占有世界历史是捍卫而不是征世界历史这就是美国史它不是部十全十美民族发展史但它是部伟和永恒理想指导下几代人团结奋斗历史这些理想伟是正慢慢实现美国承诺这就是每人都有身价值每人都有成功机会每人天生都会有所作美国人民肩着种使命那就是要竭力将这诺言变成生活和法律上现实虽然我们国追实现这承诺途停滞不前甚至倒退但我们仍将坚定不移地完成这使命上世纪部分里美国由民主信念犹如汹涌海岩石现它更像风种子把由带给每民族我们国民主不仅仅是种信念而是全人类希望民主我们不会独占而会竭力让分享民主我们将铭记心并且不断传播5年了我们仍有很长路要走有很多公民取得了成功但也有人开始怀疑怀疑我们己国所许下诺言甚至怀疑它公正失败教育潜偏见和出身环境限制了些美国人雄心有我们分歧是如深似乎我们虽身处陆但不属国我们不能接受这种分歧也无法容许它存我们团结和统是每代领导人和每公民严肃使命我郑重宣誓我将竭力建设公正、充满机会统国我知道这是我们目标因上帝按己身形创造了我们上帝高切力量将引导我们前进对这些将我们团结起并指引我们向前原则我们充满信心血缘、出身或地域从将美国合起只有理想才能使我们心系处超越己放弃人利益并逐步领会何谓公民每孩子都必须学习这些原则每公民都必须坚持这些原则每移民只有接受这些原则才能使我们国不丧失而更具美国特色今天我们这里重申新信念即通发扬谦恭、勇气、情心和性精神实现我们国理想美国它鼎盛也没忘记遵循谦逊有礼原则明社会要我们每人品质优良尊重他人人公平和宽宏量有人认我们政治制是如微不足道因和平年代我们所争论话题都是无关紧要但是对我们美国说我们所讨论问题从都不是什么事如我们不领导和平事业那么和平将无人领导；如我们不引导我们孩子们真心地热爱知识、发挥性他们天分将得不到发挥理想将难以实现如我们不采取适当措施任凭济衰退受害者将是平民姓我们应该刻听取代呼唤谦逊有礼不是战术也不是感情用事这是我们坚定选择批评声赢得信任；混乱寻统如遵循这样承诺我们将会享有共成就美国有强国力作盾将会勇往直前萧条和战争期我们人民困难面前表现得无比英勇克我们共困难体现了我们共优秀品质现我们正面临着选择如我们作出正确选择祖辈定会激励我们；如我们选择是错误祖辈会谴责我们上帝正眷顾着这国我们必须显示出我们勇气敢面对问题而不是将它们遗留给我们代我们要共努力健全美国学校教育不能让无知和冷漠吞噬更多年轻生命我们要改革社会医疗和保险制力所能及围拯救我们孩子我们要减低税收恢复济酬劳辛勤工作美国人民我们要防患然懈怠会带麻烦我们还要阻止武器泛滥使新世纪摆脱恐怖威胁反对由和反对我们国人应该明白美国仍将积极参与国际事力世界力量衡让由力量遍及全球这是历史选择我们会保护我们盟国捍卫我们利益我们将谦逊地向世界人民表示我们目标我们将坚反击各种侵略和不守信用行径我们要向全世界宣传孕育了我们伟民族价值观正处鼎盛期美国也不缺乏情心当我们静心思考我们就会明了根深蒂固贫穷根不值得我国作出承诺无论我们如何看待贫穷原因我们都必须承认孩子敢冒险不等犯错误放纵与滥用都上帝所不容这些都是缺乏爱结监狱数量增长虽然看起是有必要但并不能代替我们心希望人人遵纪守法哪里有痛苦我们义就哪里对我们说要助美国人不是陌生人而是我们公民；不是担而是急救助对象当有人陷入绝望我们都会因变得渺对公共安全和众健康对民权和学校教育政府都应有极责任然而情心不只是政府职责更是整国义有些要是如迫切有些伤痕是如深刻只有导师爱抚、牧师祈祷才能有所感触不论是教堂还是慈善机构、犹太会堂还是清真寺都赋予了我们社会它们特有人性因它们理应我们建设和法律上受到尊重我们国许多人都不知道贫穷痛苦但我们可以听到那些感触颇深人们倾诉我发誓我们国要达到种境界当我们看见受伤行人倒远行路上我们不会袖手旁观正处鼎盛期美国重视并期待每人担起己责任鼓励人们勇承担责任不是让人们充当替罪羊而是对人良知呼唤虽然承担责任味着牺牲人利益但是你能从体会到种更加深刻成就感我们实现人生完整不单是通摆我们面前选择而且是通我们实践实现我们知道通对整社会和我们孩子们尽我们义我们将得到终由我们公共利益依赖我们独立性；依赖我们公民义庭纽带和基公正；依赖我们无数、默默无闻体面行动正是它们指引我们走向由生活有我们被召唤着做些惊天动地事情但是正如我们代位圣人所言每天我们都被召唤带着挚爱做些事情民主制重要任是由每人完成我人处事原则包括坚信己而不强加人公众利益勇往直前追正义而不乏情心勇担责任而不推卸我要通这切用我们历史上传统价值观哺育我们代(胞们)你们所做切和政府工作样重要我希望你们不要仅仅追人享受而忽略公众利益；要捍卫既定改革措施使其不会轻易被攻击；要从身边事做起我们国效力我希望你们成真正公民而不是旁观者更不是臣民你们应成有责任心公民共建设助社会和有特色国美国人民慷慨、强、体面这并非因我们信任我们己而是因我们拥有超越我们己信念旦这种公民精神丧失了无论何种政府计划都无法弥补它旦这种精神出现了无论任何错误都无法抗衡它《独立宣言》签署弗吉尼亚州政治约翰S佩齐曾给托马斯S杰弗逊写信说"我们知道身手敏捷不定就能赢得比赛力量强不定就能赢得战争难道这切不都是上帝安排吗？"杰斐逊就任总统那年代离我们已很远了光飞逝美国发生了翻天覆地变化但是有他肯定能够预知即我们这代主题仍然是我们国无畏向前恢宏故事和它追尊严纯朴梦想我们不是这故事作者是杰斐逊作者人伟理想穿越空并通我们每天努力变现实我们正通努力履行着各职责带着永不疲惫、永不气馁、永不完竭信念今天我们重树这样目标使我们国变得更加公正、更加慷慨验证我们每人和所有人生命尊严这项工作必须继续下这故事必须延续下上帝会驾驭我们航行愿上帝保佑愿上帝保佑美国。
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1989Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. President, Vice President Quayle, Senator Mitchell, Speaker Wright, Senator Dole, Congressman Michel, and fellow citizens, neighbors, and friends:There is a man here who has earned a lasting place in our hearts and in our history. President Reagan, on behalf of our Nation, I thank you for the wonderful things that you have done for America.I have just repeated word for word the oath taken by George Washington 200 years ago, and the Bible on which I placed my hand is the Bible on which he placed his. It is right that the memory of Washington be with us today, not only because this is our Bicentennial Inauguration, but because Washington remains the Father of our Country. And he would, I think, be gladdened by this day; for today is the concrete expression of a stunning fact: our continuity these 200 years since our government began.We meet on democracy's front porch, a good place to talk as neighbors and as friends. For this is a day when our nation is made whole, when our differences, for a moment, are suspended.And my first act as President is a prayer. I ask you to bow your heads:Heavenly Father, we bow our heads and thank You for Your love. Accept our thanks for the peace that yields this day and the shared faith that makes its continuance likely. Make us strong to do Your work, willing to heed and hear Your will, and write on our hearts these words: "Use power to help people." For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people. Help us to remember it, Lord. Amen.I come before you and assume the Presidency at a moment rich with promise. We live in a peaceful, prosperous time, but we can make it better. For a new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient, lifeless tree. A new breeze is blowing, and a nation refreshed by freedom stands ready to push on. There is new ground to be broken, and new action to be taken. There are times when the future seems thick as a fog; you sit and wait, hoping the mists will lift and reveal the right path. But this is a time when the future seems a door you can walk right through into a room called tomorrow.Great nations of the world are moving toward democracy through the door to freedom. Men and women of the world move toward free markets through the door to prosperity. The people of the world agitate for free expression and free thought through the door to the moral and intellectual satisfactions that only liberty allows.We know what works: Freedom works. We know what's right: Freedom is right. We know how to secure a more just and prosperous life for man on Earth: through free markets, free speech, free elections, and the exercise of free will unhampered by the state.For the first time in this century, for the first time in perhaps all history, man does not have to invent a system by which to live. We don't have to talk late into the night about which form of government is better. We don't have to wrest justice from the kings. We only have to summon it from within ourselves. We must act on what we know. I take as my guide the hope of a saint: In crucial things, unity; in important things, diversity; in all things, generosity.America today is a proud, free nation, decent and civil, a place we cannot help but love. We know in our hearts, not loudly and proudly, but as a simple fact, that this country has meaning beyond what we see, and that our strength is a force for good. But have we changed as a nation even in our time? Are we enthralled with material things, less appreciative of the nobility of work and sacrifice?My friends, we are not the sum of our possessions. They are not the measure of our lives. In our hearts we know what matters. We cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account. We must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a loving parent, a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood and town better than he found it. What do we want the men and women who work with us to say when we are no longer there? That we were more driven to succeed than anyone around us? Or that we stopped to ask if a sick child had gotten better, and stayed a moment there to trade a word of friendship?No President, no government, can teach us to remember what is best in what we are. But if the man you have chosen to lead this government can help make a difference; if he can celebrate the quieter, deeper successes that are made not of gold and silk, but of better hearts and finer souls; if he can do these things, then he must.America is never wholly herself unless she is engaged in high moral principle. We as a people have such a purpose today. It is to make kinder the face of the Nation and gentler the face of the world. My friends, we have work to do. There are the homeless, lost and roaming. There are the children who have nothing, no love, no normalcy. There are those who cannot free themselves of enslavement to whatever addiction——drugs, welfare, the demoralization that rules the slums. There is crime to be conquered, the rough crime of the streets. There are young women to be helped who are about to become mothers of children they can't care for and might not love. They need our care, our guidance, and our education, though we bless them for choosing life.The old solution, the old way, was to think that public money alone could end these problems. But we have learned that is not so. And in any case, our funds are low. We have a deficit to bring down. We have more will than wallet; but will is what we need. We will make the hard choices, looking at what we have and perhaps allocating it differently, making our decisions based on honest need and prudent safety. And then we will do the wisest thing of all: We will turn to the only resource we have that in times of need always grows——the goodness and the courage of the American people.I am speaking of a new engagement in the lives of others, a new activism, hands-on and involved, that gets the job done. We must bring in the generations, harnessing the unused talent of the elderly and the unfocused energy of the young. For not only leadership is passed fromgeneration to generation, but so is stewardship. And the generation born after the Second World War has come of age.I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding. We will work on this in the White House, in the Cabinet agencies. I will go to the people and the programs that are the brighter points of light, and I will ask every member of my government to become involved. The old ideas are new again because they are not old, they are timeless: duty, sacrifice, commitment, and a patriotism that finds its expression in taking part and pitching in.We need a new engagement, too, between the Executive and the Congress. The challenges before us will be thrashed out with the House and the Senate. We must bring the Federal budget into balance. And we must ensure that America stands before the world united, strong, at peace, and fiscally sound. But, of course, things may be difficult. We need compromise; we have had dissension. We need harmony; we have had a chorus of discordant voices.For Congress, too, has changed in our time. There has grown a certain divisiveness. We have seen the hard looks and heard the statements in which not each other's ideas are challenged, but each other's motives. And our great parties have too often been far apart and untrusting of each other. It has been this way since Vietnam. That war cleaves us still. But, friends, that war began in earnest a quarter of a century ago; and surely the statute of limitations has been reached. This is a fact: The final lesson of Vietnam is that no great nation can long afford to be sundered by a memory. A new breeze is blowing, and the old bipartisanship must be made new again.To my friends——and yes, I do mean friends——in the loyal opposition——and yes, I mean loyal: I put out my hand. I am putting out my hand to you, Mr. Speaker. I am putting out my hand to you Mr. Majority Leader. For this is the thing: This is the age of the offered hand. We can't turn back clocks, and I don't want to. But when our fathers were young, Mr. Speaker, our differences ended at the water's edge. And we don't wish to turn back time, but when our mothers were young, Mr. Majority Leader, the Congress and the Executive were capable of working together to produce a budget on which this nation could live. Let us negotiate soon and hard. But in the end, let us produce. The American people await action. They didn't send us here to bicker. They ask us to rise above the merely partisan. "In crucial things, unity"——and this, my friends, is crucial.To the world, too, we offer new engagement and a renewed vow: We will stay strong to protect the peace. The "offered hand" is a reluctant fist; but once made, strong, and can be used with great effect. There are today Americans who are held against their will in foreign lands, and Americans who are unaccounted for. Assistance can be shown here, and will be long remembered. Good will begets good will. Good faith can be a spiral that endlessly moves on.Great nations like great men must keep their word. When America says something, America means it, whether a treaty or an agreement or a vow made on marble steps. We will always try to speak clearly, for candor is a compliment, but subtlety, too, is good and has its place. While keeping our alliances and friendships around the world strong, ever strong, we will continue thenew closeness with the Soviet Union, consistent both with our security and with progress. One might say that our new relationship in part reflects the triumph of hope and strength over experience. But hope is good, and so are strength and vigilance.Here today are tens of thousands of our citizens who feel the understandable satisfaction of those who have taken part in democracy and seen their hopes fulfilled. But my thoughts have been turning the past few days to those who would be watching at home to an older fellow who will throw a salute by himself when the flag goes by, and the women who will tell her sons the words of the battle hymns. I don't mean this to be sentimental. I mean that on days like this, we remember that we are all part of a continuum, inescapably connected by the ties that bind.Our children are watching in schools throughout our great land. And to them I say, thank you for watching democracy's big day. For democracy belongs to us all, and freedom is like a beautiful kite that can go higher and higher with the breeze. And to all I say: No matter what your circumstances or where you are, you are part of this day, you are part of the life of our great nation.A President is neither prince nor pope, and I don't seek a window on men's souls. In fact, I yearn for a greater tolerance, an easy- goingness about each other's attitudes and way of life.There are few clear areas in which we as a society must rise up united and express our intolerance. The most obvious now is drugs. And when that first cocaine was smuggled in on a ship, it may as well have been a deadly bacteria, so much has it hurt the body, the soul of our country. And there is much to be done and to be said, but take my word for it: This scourge will stop.And so, there is much to do; and tomorrow the work begins. I do not mistrust the future; I do not fear what is ahead. For our problems are large, but our heart is larger. Our challenges are great, but our will is greater. And if our flaws are endless, God's love is truly boundless.Some see leadership as high drama, and the sound of trumpets calling, and sometimes it is that. But I see history as a book with many pages, and each day we fill a page with acts of hopefulness and meaning. The new breeze blows, a page turns, the story unfolds. And so today a chapter begins, a small and stately story of unity, diversity, and generosity——shared, and written, together.Thank you. God bless you and God bless the United States of America.。
