January 20, 1993
My fellow citizens :
Today we celebrate the mystery of American renewal.
This ceremony is held in the depth of winter. But, by the words we speak and the faces we show the world, we force the spring. A spring reborn in the world's oldest democracy, that brings forth the vision and courage to reinvent America.
When our founders boldly declared America's independence to the world and our purposes to the Almighty, they knew that America, to endure, would have to change. Not change for change's sake, but change to preserve America's ideals; life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. Though we march to the music of our time, our mission is timeless. Each generation of Americans must define what it means to be an American.
On behalf of our nation, I salute my predecessor, President Bush, for his half-century of service to America. And I thank the millions of men and women whose steadfastness and sacrifice triumphed over Depression and fascism.
Today, a generation raised in the shadows of the Cold War assumes new responsibilities in a world warmed by the sunshine of freedom but threatened still by ancient hatreds and new plagues.
Raised in unrivaled prosperity, we inherit an economy that is still the world's strongest, but is weakened by business failures, stagnant wages, increasing inequality, and deep divisions among our people.
When George Washington first took the oath I have just sworn to uphold, news traveled slowly across the land by horseback and across the ocean by boat. Now, the sights and sounds of this ceremony are broadcast instantaneously to billions around the world.
Communications and commerce are global; investment is mobile; technology is almost magical; and ambition for a better life is now universal. We earn our livelihood in peaceful competition with people all across the earth.
Profound and powerful forces are shaking and remaking our world, and the urgent question of our time is whether we can make change our friend and not our enemy.
This new world has already enriched the lives of millions of Americans who are able to compete and win in it. But when most people are working harder for less; when others cannot work at all; when the cost of health care devastates families and threatens to bankrupt many of our enterprises, great and small; when fear of crime robs law-abiding citizens of their freedom; and when millions of poor children cannot even imagine the lives we are calling them to lead, we have not made change our friend.
We know we have to face hard truths and take strong steps. But we have not done so. Instead, we have drifted, and that drifting has eroded our resources, fractured our economy, and shaken our confidence.
Though our challenges are fearsome, so are our strengths. And Americans have ever been a restless, questing, hopeful people. We must bring to our task today the vision and will of those who came before us.
From our revolution, the Civil War, to the Great Depression to the civil rights movement, our people have always mustered the determination to construct from these crises the pillars of our history.
Thomas Jefferson believed that to preserve the very foundations of our nation, we would need dramatic change from time to time. Well, my fellow citizens, this is our time. Let us embrace it.
Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.
And so today, we pledge an end to the era of deadlock and drift; a new season of American renewal has begun. To renew America, we must be bold. We must do what no generation has had to do before. We must invest more in our own people, in their jobs, in their future, and at the same time cut our massive debt. And we must do so in a world in which we must compete for every opportunity. It will not be easy; it will require sacrifice. But it can be done, and done fairly, not choosing sacrifice for its own sake, but for our own sake. We must provide for our nation the way a family provides for its children.
Our Founders saw themselves in the light of posterity. We can do no less. Anyone who has ever watched a child's eyes wander into sleep knows what posterity is. Posterity is the world to come; the world for whom we hold our ideals, from whom we have borrowed our planet, and to whom we bear sacred responsibility. We must do what America does best: offer more opportunity to all and demand responsibility from all.
It is time to break the bad habit of expecting something for nothing, from our government or from each other. Let us all take more responsibility, not only for ourselves and our families but for our communities and our country. To renew America, we must revitalize our democracy.
This beautiful capital, like every capital since the dawn of civilization, is often a place of intrigue and calculation. Powerful people maneuver for position and worry endlessly about who is in and who is out, who is up and who is down, forgetting those people whose toil and sweat sends us here and pays our way.
Americans deserve better, and in this city today, there are people who want to do better. And so I say to all of us here, let us resolve to reform our politics, so that power and privilege no longer shout down the voice of the people. Let us put aside personal advantage so that we can feel the pain and see the promise of America. Let us resolve to make our government a place for what Franklin Roosevelt called “bold, persistent experimentation,” a government for our tomorrows, not our yesterdays. Let us give this capital back to the people to whom it belongs.
To renew America, we must meet challenges abroad as well at home. There is no longer division between what is foreign and what is domestic; the world economy, the world environment, the world AIDS crisis, the world arms race; they affect us all.
Today, as an old order passes, the new world is freer but less stable. Clearly America must continue to lead the world we did so much to make.
While America rebuilds at home, we will not shrink from the challenges, nor fail to seize the opportunities, of this new world. Together with our friends and allies, we will work to shape change, lest it engulf us.
When our vital interests are challenged, or the will and conscience of the international community is defied, we will act; with peaceful diplomacy when ever possible, with force when necessary. The brave Americans serving our nation today in the Persian Gulf, in Somalia, and wherever else they stand are testament to our resolve.
But our greatest strength is the power of our ideas, which are still new in many lands. Across the world, we see them embraced, and we rejoice. Our hopes, our hearts, our hands, are with those on every continent who are building democracy and freedom. Their cause is America's cause.
The American people have summoned the change we celebrate today. You have raised your voices in an unmistakable chorus. You have cast your votes in historic numbers. And you have changed the face of Congress, the presidency and the political process itself. Yes, you, my fellow Americans have forced the spring. Now, we must do the work the season demands.
To that work I now turn, with all the authority of my office. I ask the Congress to join with me. But no president, no Congress, no government, can undertake this mission alone. My fellow Americans, you, too, must play your part in our renewal. I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a season of service; to act on your idealism by helping troubled children, keeping company with those in need, reconnecting our torn communities. There is so much to be done; enough indeed for millions of others who are still young in spirit to give of themselves in service, too.
In serving, we recognize a simple but powerful truth, we need each other. And we must care for one another. Today, we do more than celebrate America; we rededicate ourselves to the very idea of America.
An idea born in revolution and renewed through two centuries of challenge. An idea tempered by the knowledge that, but for fate we, the fortunate and the unfortunate, might have been each other. An idea ennobled by the faith that our nation can summon from its myriad diversity the deepest measure of unity. An idea infused with the conviction that America's long heroic journey must go forever upward.
And so, my fellow Americans, at the edge of the 21st century, let us begin with energy and hope, with faith and discipline, and let us work until our work is done. The scripture says, "And let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.”
From this joyful mountaintop of celebration, we hear a call to service in the valley. We have heard the trumpets. We have changed the guard. And now, each in our way, and with God's help, we must answer the call.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
1993年1月20日
同胞们：
今天，我们在这里热烈庆祝美国复兴这件令人惊奇与兴奋的事。
虽然现在仍是寒月隆冬，但在对世界发出的誓言和展示的姿态中，我们已经让春暖花开悄然降临到了每个人的心里。春天重新降临到这个世界上最古老的民主国家，它为重塑美国的中兴带来了一派欣欣向荣的新气象和令人鼓舞的勇气。
当美利坚合众国的缔造者向全世界宣告这个国家的独立和我们的远大目标时，他们已然知道美利坚合众国必须在不断地变革中才能得到长足的生存和发展。然而，我们并不是仅仅为了变革而变革，我们要变革是为了保持美国的理想、生活、自由和对幸福的追求!虽然我们伴随着时代的进行曲抬头挺进，但我们仍然需要与时俱进。每一个时代的美国人都必须清楚地了解自己作为一个美国公民的使命所在。
在这里请允许我代表国家，向我的前任布什总统致敬，他尽忠职守地为这个国家奉献了半个世纪。同时，我还要感谢千百万人民，他们在艰难困苦中坚定信念，牺牲奉献，最终战胜了大萧条和法西斯主义。
今天，在冷战阴影下成长的一代人已经肩负起新的责任，虽然这个世界沐浴在自由的阳光下，但仍面临着新仇与旧恨的威胁。
尽管我们在无与伦比的物质繁华中成长，尽管我们仍然继承了世界上最为强大的经济大国，但实际上我们的社会企业破产，收入停滞不前，不平等现象不断增加以及阶层隔阂削弱了国家的经济。
在乔治·华盛顿第一次宣誓我刚才所宣誓过的誓词时，消息是通过马背和舰船缓慢地穿过陆地漂洋过海的。而此刻这个盛会现场的景象和声音正在向全球亿万观众不间断地直播。
现代社会通讯和商业开始全球化，投资具有流动性，技术的发展令人惊讶，同时让生活更美好也成为了大家的愿望。我们在全球性的公平竞争中营造我们自己的生活。
各种根深蒂固而且强大的势力正在动摇和重造我们的世界，能否让变革成为我们的朋友而非敌人，成为了我们这个时代最为紧迫的问题。
尽管这个新世界已经让千百万具有竞争力的美国人通过努力奋斗过上了富足的生活，但当大部分的人每天都在努力工作却只能勉强维持生计，当还有人得不到工作，当医疗卫生的支出正在让许多的家庭支离破碎，当大大小小的企业正在面临破产威胁的时候，当犯罪案件频发给遵纪守法的人们带来极大恐慌而无法正常享受生活的时候，当还有数以百万计的贫苦儿童甚至还过着我们无法想象的生活的时候，我们还没有让变革成为我们的朋友。
我们知道我们必须面对残酷的现实和采取有力的措施，但是我们还没有付诸实际行动，而是听天由命随波逐流。恰恰是这种听之任之的不作为正在腐蚀我们的根基，削弱我们的经济，动摇我们的信心。
尽管我们面临的挑战令人畏惧，但是我们的力量也同样不容忽视。美国人民从来就不甘于现状，我们一直都在不断探索进取，乐观向上。我们肩膀上的使命体现着美利坚的先驱们赋予的美好愿望和坚强意志。
从我们的革命开始，到南北战争到大萧条再到民权运动，我们的人民一次又一次的从危机中，万众一心、众志成城地书写着历史的丰碑。
托马斯·杰弗逊坚信要保持我们国家的根基，必须与时俱进义无返顾地进行变革。现在亲爱的同胞们，我们改革的时刻到来了，让我们一起紧密地拥抱它吧。
我们的民主制度不仅是全世界所向往的楷模，同时更是我们自我复兴的强劲动力，美国完全有能力解救自己。
今天，我们要在这里宣告僵持和随波逐流时代的结束，一个振兴美国的全新时代已经到来。为了振兴美国，除了披荆斩棘勇往向前我们别无选择。我们必须排除万难做一些前人从未做过的创举。我们必须为国民投入更多，对他们的未来和工作加大投资，同时还要削减我们巨额的债务。我们还要建立一个公平竞争的社会，这不是一件容易的事情，这需要我们做出牺牲，但一定会实现，我们不是为了牺牲而牺牲，而是为了实现我们的目标才选择牺牲，我们要像一个家庭对待自己的孩子一样对待我们的国家。
我们的先辈们从建国伊始就一直从子孙万代的长远利益出发考虑国家的发展规划。我们需要考虑更多。每一个注视过在梦想中熟睡的孩子眼睛的人都明白子孙后代意味着什么。孩子就意味着未来的世界，一个我们坚持自己的理想，从子孙后代手里借来的世界，一个让我们对子孙后代肩负神圣感的世界。我们必须倾尽我们所有让这个国家至善完美，那就是赋予所有国民更多机会以及责任!
现在到了打破只管索取而不付出这一坏习惯的时候了，不管是我们的政府还是任何一方。让我们承担起更多的责任，不仅仅是为了我们的家庭，而是为了我们的社会和国家。要重振美国，我们就必须重建我们的民主制度。
这个美丽的首都就像每一个文明初生的首都一样，往往是一个充满阴谋与算计的地方。权贵们为了高官厚禄而费尽心思地盘算着谁进谁出，谁上谁下，却忘记了那些为了我们今天的生活付出了艰辛汗水和磨难的先辈们。
美国人本该生活得更好，就在这座城市，就在今天，还有很多的人向往着那些更令人憧憬的美好生活。在这里我要跟所有的人说，同胞们，让我们下定决心改革我们的政治，让人民的呼声不再被权利和特权所压倒，让我们抛开个人利益，这样我们才能看到美国的痛苦，才能看到希望。让我们下定决心，把政府变成富兰克林·罗斯福称之为一个“大胆而持久实验”的地方，一个着眼于未来，而不是留恋过去的地方。让我们把这个美丽的首都归还给到她本来的主人手中。
要想重振美国，我们必须勇敢地面对来自国内外的种种挑战!国内和国外的挑战已经没有了明显的界线，全球经济，世界环境，艾滋病危机，还有全球军备竞赛，这些问题无时无刻不在影响着我们。
时至今日，随着旧秩序的打破，新的世界更加自由，但却更加不稳定。我们清楚地认识到美国必须继续一如既往地领导世界向前开进。
在美国人重建美国的时候，我们面对挑战不会退缩，也不会坐失良机。我们将和朋友、盟友一起确定变革的方向，以免被变革吞没。
在美国的重要利益受到挑战，或者国际社会的道德秩序受到公然挑衅的时候，我们不会袖手旁观，我们将会采取和平的外交手段及一切可能的方法，必要时也会诉诸武力解决问题。就在现在勇敢的美军士兵正在波斯湾，在索马里以及其他任何需要他们为国效力的地方实现着美国的决心。
然而，我们最强大的力量就是我们的观念，在许多国家这种观念还是一种新生事物。纵观世界我们看到这些思想为世人所接受，我们也因而深感欣慰。我们凭借我们的希望，我们的热心，我们的双手，帮助其他国家的人民在每一块大陆上建立了民主和自由，他们的成就也是美国的成就。
美国人民一直在召唤着我们做出今天所提出的变革，你们异口同声地提高了自己的呼声，你们已经投出了具有历史意义的一票，是你们让国会换了面貌，是你们改变了美国的总统制度和政治进程。是的，亲爱的同胞们，你们促使了春暖花开的日子早日到来。现在，到了我们响应时代要求付诸实际行动的时候了。
为了达成这个目标，我会充分发挥我的职能，我也将请求国会支持我。但是任何一位总统，任何一届国会，任何一届政府都无法承担这一重任。亲爱的同胞们，你们也需要在重振美国的行动中发挥自己的作用。我号召美国的年轻一代加入到报效国家的行列中来，通过帮助贫困交加和需要帮助的儿童，陪伴那些需要帮助的人，把我们这个四分五裂的社会重新凝聚起来，这是一项浩瀚的工程，足以让成千上万有理想的年轻人投身其中。
在振兴美国的行动中，我们明白了一个简单而又强有力的真理：“我们不仅需要彼此，还需要为别人着想。”今天，我们来这里不仅仅是为了庆祝美国，而是把自己奉献给最重要的美国观念。
这是一种在美国革命中诞生，经历了两个世纪的洗礼而重获新生的思想。一种炼就于知识与智慧之间，影响着我们一生的幸与不幸，存在于我们周围的信念。这种信念使我们的民族在无数的分歧中受到鼓舞，并且因为团结一致而变得崇高。同时这种信念夹杂着美国漫长而英勇的旅程勇往直前。
所以，亲爱的同胞们，在21世纪来临之际，让我们满怀希望，充满精力，坚定信念，遵守纪律，把我们的事业进行到底。《圣经》说：“不要厌于行善，只要我们坚持，在事宜的时节定有所获。”
在这个欢乐的庆祝巅峰，我们听到了山谷中传来的召唤，我们听到了号声。我们已经换岗各就各位，现在，我们每个人都必须以自己的方式在上帝的帮助下响应这一号召。
谢谢大家，愿上帝保佑你们!
