名人励志英语演讲 第27期:为理想我愿献出生命(1)

 　　My friends, comrades, and fellow South Africans: I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy, and freedom for all. I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble¹ servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore have placed the remaining years of my life in your , I extend my sincere and warmest gratitude² to the millions of my compatriots and those in every corner of the globe who have campaigned tirelessly for my release.

　　我的朋友们、同志们和南非同胞们： 我以和平、民主和全人类自由的名义，向你们大家致意。今天我站在你们面前，不是作为一名预言家，而是作为人民的谦卑公仆。你们不懈的奋斗和英勇的牺牲才使我今天有可能站在这里，因此，我要把余生献给你们。在我获释的今天，我要向千百万同胞，向世界各地为我的获释作出过不懈努力的人们，致以真诚的、最热烈的感谢。

 

　　背景资料

　　1990年2月11日，被监禁27年之后，曼德拉被无条件释放。他面带微笑，以矫健的步伐和胜利者的姿态迈出了监狱的大门，在开普敦向迎接他出狱的数万名南非人民表达了激情澎湃的演讲。从曼德拉铿锵有力的声音中，我们能感受到这位72岁老战士“老骥伏枥，志在千里”的雄心。

　　I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to see realized. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.

　　我反对白人统治，也反对黑人统治。我珍视民主和自由社会的理想，在这个社会中，人人和睦相处，机会均等。我希望为这个理想而生，并希望能实现这个理想。但是如果需要，为理想我愿献出生命。

1 humble   

adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低

参考例句：

• In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。
• Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

2 gratitude   

adj.感激，感谢

参考例句：

• I have expressed the depth of my gratitude to him.我向他表示了深切的谢意。
• She could not help her tears of gratitude rolling down her face.她感激的泪珠禁不住沿着面颊流了下来。