（附音效檔）"All men have the right to freedom of thought.”

Audio Clip : www.zello.me/DaR



美國總統杜魯門（Harry Truman）於1949年1月20日在華盛頓發表就職演說節錄：

(Sharp Daily P.22  27 Dec 2012) Each period of our national history has had its special challenges. Those that confront us(攔阻在我們面前) now are as momentous (重大的) as any in the past. The supreme (最重要的) need of our time is for men to learn to live together in peace and harmony(和諧).

The peoples of the earth face the future with grave uncertainty (重大的, 難以預料的事物), composed (沈著的) almost equally of great hopes and great fears. In this time of doubt, they look to the United States as never before(從未試過如此) for good will(友好的), strength(實力), and wise leadership.
We believe that all men have the right to freedom of thought and expression(表達).

We believe that all men are created equal because they are created in the image of God. The American people desire(渴望), and are determined(已下決心的) to work for, a world in which all nations and all peoples are free to govern themselves as they see fit(他們認為適合的), and to achieve(實現) a decent(還不錯的) and satisfying life.

We will continue our programs for world economic recovery(世界經濟復蘇). In addition, we must carry out(實行) our plans for reducing the barriers (障礙) to world trade and increasing its volume(額).

We will strengthen (增強) freedom-loving nations against the dangers of aggression(侵略). We must embark on(從事) a bold new program for making the benefits of our scientific advances(科學發展) and industrial progress (工業進展) available for the improvement and growth of underdeveloped areas. Our aim should be to help the free peoples of the world, through their own efforts, to produce more food, more clothing, more materials for housing, and more mechanical power to lighten their burdens(減輕他們的負擔).

Our allies(聯合國) are the millions who hunger and thirst after righteousness (真理). Events have brought our American democracy (民主精神) to new influence and new responsibilities(任務). They will test our courage, our devotion to duty(勇於承擔責任), and our concept of liberty.

馮強短評

好辭彙共賞：
① confront us =攔阻在我們面前。confront的同義詞有face up to, meet head-on和deal with等。
② momentous = 重大的、重要的、聲勢浩大的。
③ as never before = 從未試過如此。
④ as they see fit =他們認為適合的。survival of the fittest =適者生存。as fit as a fiddle = 很健康，神采奕奕。
⑤ world economic recovery = 世界經濟復蘇。
⑥ embark on = 從事、開始、進行。
⑦ lighten their burdens =減輕他們的負擔。lighten的同義詞有ease, lessen和alleviate等。
⑧ righteousness =真理、正義。righteousness的同義詞有virtue, uprightness和honesty等。
⑨ devotion to duty =勇於承擔責任。devotion =獻身；熱誠、忠誠；專心、熱心。the devotion of one's time to scientific advancement =把個人的時間用於科學發展。

短評共賞：
We believe that all men are created equal.（我們相信人人生而平等）。杜魯門總統60多年前說過的這句話，今天仍然擲地有聲。

馮強
浸會大學傳理學院財經新聞統籌主任
逢周四刊登