純正地道美語 第128期(外教講解):總統演講

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：
首先對任職期間發生的事件進行了回顧，對政府作出的努力進行了總結。最後提出了美好的希望：祈禱全世界的人們都能獲得自由。貧窮，疾病的根源將被清除。
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we now stand 在某個地方或職位

pre-eminence n. 傑出
He has pre-eminent position in society.
他在社會中有傑出的地位。

foster vt. 培養；助長
to foster an interest in music
培養對音樂的興趣

yearn vi. （常與for, after, to連用）盼望，渴望
They yearned for his return.
他們盼望着他回來。

scourge n. 懲戒的原因；禍端； 苦難的根源
After the scourge of war came the scourge of disease.
戰亂之後發生了瘟疫。

拓展詞彙
stricken adj. 受煩惱、憂慮之苦的

Democrat 美國民主黨派的成員

Republican 美國共和黨派的成員

first lady 第一夫人（總統的妻子）

campaign n.（政治或商業性）活動，運動
a campaign to stop people smoking
一項阻止人們吸菸的運動