纯正地道美语 第128期(外教讲解):总统演讲

A: We now stand ten years past the midpoint of a century that has witnessed four major wars among great nations. Three of these involved our own country. Despite the carnage of these conflicts, America is today the strongest, the most influential and most productive nation in the world. We are understandably proud of this pre-eminence, yet we realize that America’s leader-ship and prestige depend, not merely upon our unmatched material progress, riches and military strength, but on how we use our power in the interests of world peace and human betterment.

A: Throughout America’s adventure in free government, such basic purposes have been to keep
the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among peoples and among nations.

A: We pray that peoples of all faiths, all races, all nations, may have their great human needs satisfied; that those now denied opportunity shall come to enjoy it to the full; that all who yearn for freedom may experience its spiritual blessings; that those who have freedom will understand, also, its heavy responsibilities; that all who are insensitive to the needs of others will learn charity; that the scourges of poverty, disease and ignorance will be made to disappear from the earth, and that, in the goodness of time, all peoples will come to live together in a peace guaranteed by the binding force of mutual respect and love.

A: Now, on Friday noon, I am to become a private citizen. I am proud to do so. I look forward to it. Thank you, and good night.

文章大意：
首先对任职期间发生的事件进行了回顾，对政府作出的努力进行了总结。最后提出了美好的希望：祈祷全世界的人们都能获得自由。贫穷，疾病的根源将被清除。
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we now stand 在某个地方或职位

pre-eminence n. 杰出
He has pre-eminent position in society.
他在社会中有杰出的地位。

foster vt. 培养；助长
to foster an interest in music
培养对音乐的兴趣

yearn vi. （常与for, after, to连用）盼望，渴望
They yearned for his return.
他们盼望着他回来。

scourge n. 惩戒的原因；祸端； 苦难的根源
After the scourge of war came the scourge of disease.
战乱之后发生了瘟疫。

拓展词汇
stricken adj. 受烦恼、忧虑之苦的

Democrat 美国民主党派的成员

Republican 美国共和党派的成员

first lady 第一夫人（总统的妻子）

campaign n.（政治或商业性）活动，运动
a campaign to stop people smoking
一项阻止人们吸烟的运动