曹冲称象 文言文阅读:Bush Tsinghua Speech布什清华演讲（未删节版）

前几天在阳光卫视看到布什来清华时讲的一句话““人类千万年的历史，最珍贵的不是令人炫目的科技，不是浩瀚的大师们的经典著作，也不是政客们天花乱坠的演讲，而是实现了对统治者的约束，实现了把他们关在笼子里的梦想。因为只有驯服了他们，把他们约束起来，才不会害人。我现在就是站在笼子里向你们讲话，于是就搜索布什在清华大学的演讲（实际上这句话是布什在捷克讲的），可惜的是几乎全部的中文网站都删去了很多内容，新华社甚至移花接木把布什对江泽民说的话搞成了江泽民对布什说的，所以特意找了原文（非演讲稿）并翻译。原文：

PRESIDENT BUSH: Vice President Hu, thank you very much for your kind and generous remarks. Thank you for welcoming me and my wife, Laura, here. (Applause.) I see she's keeping pretty good company, with the Secretary of State, Colin Powell. It's good to see you, Mr. Secretary. (Applause.) And I see my National Security Advisor, Ms. Condoleezza Rice, who at one time was the provost at Stanford University. So she's comfortable on university campuses such as this. Thank you for being here, Condi. (Applause.)

I'm so grateful for the hospitality, and honored for the reception at one of China's, and the world's, great universities.

This university was founded, interestingly enough, with the support of my country, to further ties between our two nations. I know how important this place is to your Vice President. He not only received his degree here, but more importantly, he met his gracious wife here. (Laughter.)

I want to thank the students for giving me the chance to meet with you, the chance to talk a little bit about my country and answer some of your questions. The standards and reputation of this university are known around the world, and I know what an achievement it is to be here. So, congratulations. (Applause.) I don't know if you know this or not, but my wife and I have two daughters who are in college, just like you. One goes to the University of Texas. One goes to Yale. They're twins. And we are proud of our daughters, just like I'm sure your parents are proud of you.

My visit to China comes on an important anniversary, as the Vice President mentioned. Thirty years ago this week, an American President arrived in China on a trip designed to end decades of estrangement and confront centuries of suspicion. President Richard Nixon showed the world that two vastly different governments could meet on the grounds of common interest, in the spirit of mutual respect. As they left the airport that day, Premier Zhou Enlai said this to President Nixon: "Your handshake came over the vastest ocean in the world -- 25 years of no communication."

During the 30 years since, America and China have exchanged many handshakes of friendship and commerce. And as we have had more contact with each other, the citizens of both countries have gradually learned more about each other. And that's important. Once America knew China only by its history as a great and enduring civilization. Today, we see a China that is still defined by noble traditions of family, scholarship, and honor. And we see a China that is becoming one of the most dynamic and creative societies in the world -- as demonstrated by the knowledge and potential right here in this room. China is on a rising path, and America welcomes the emergence of a strong and peaceful and prosperous China. (Applause.)

As America learns more about China, I am concerned that the Chinese people do not always see a clear picture of my country. This happens for many reasons, and some of them of our own making. Our movies and television shows often do not portray the values of the real America I know. Our successful businesses show a strength of American commerce, but our spirit, community spirit, and contributions to each other are not always visible as monetary success.

Some of the erroneous pictures of America are painted by others. My friend, the Ambassador to China, tells me some Chinese textbooks talk of Americans of "bullying the weak and repressing the poor." Another Chinese textbook, published just last year, teaches that special agents of the FBI are used to "repress the working people." Now, neither of these is true -- and while the words may be leftovers from a previous era, they are misleading and they're harmful.

In fact, Americans feel a special responsibility for the weak and the poor. Our government spends billions of dollars to provide health care and food and housing for those who cannot help themselves -- and even more important, many of our citizens contribute their own money and time to help those in need. American compassion also stretches way beyond our borders. We're the number one provider of humanitarian aid to people in need throughout the world. And as for the men and women of the FBI and law enforcement, they're working people; they, themselves, are working people who devote their lives to fighting crime and corruption.

My country certainly has its share of problems, no question about that. And we have our faults. Like most nations we're on a long journey toward achieving our own ideals of equality and justice. Yet there's a reason our nation shines as a beacon of hope and opportunity, a reason many throughout the world dream of coming to America. It's because we're a free nation, where men and women have the opportunity to achieve their dreams. No matter your background or your circumstance of birth, in America you can get a good education, you can start your own business, you can raise a family, you can worship freely, and help elect the leaders of your community and your country. You can support the policies of our government, or you're free to openly disagree with them. Those who fear freedom sometimes argue it could lead to chaos, but it does not, because freedom means more than every man for himself.

Liberty gives our citizens many rights, yet expects them to exercise important responsibilities. Our liberty is given direction and purpose by moral character, shaped in strong families, strong communities, and strong religious institutions, and overseen by a strong and fair legal system.

My country's greatest symbol to the world is the Statue of Liberty, and it was designed by special care. I don't know if you've ever seen the Statue of Liberty, but if you look closely, she's holding not one object, but two. In one hand is the familiar torch we call the "light of liberty." And in the other hand is a book of law.

We're a nation of laws. Our courts are honest and they are independent. The President -- me -- I can't tell the courts how to rule, and neither can any other member of the executive or legislative branch of government. Under our law, everyone stands equal. No one is above the law, and no one is beneath it.

All political power in America is limited and it is temporary, and only given by the free vote of the people. We have a Constitution, now two centuries old, which limits and balances the power of the three branches of our government, the judicial branch, the legislative branch, and the executive branch, of which I'm a part.

Many of the values that guide our life in America are first shaped in our families, just as they are in your country. American moms and dads love their children and work hard and sacrifice for them, because we believe life can always be better for the next generation. In our families, we find love and learn responsibility and character.

And many Americans voluntarily devote part of their lives to serving other people. An amazing number -- nearly half of all adults in America -- volunteer time every week to make their communities better by mentoring children, or by visiting the sick, or caring for the elderly, or helping with thousands of other needs and causes. This is one of the great strengths of my country. People take responsibility for helping others, without being told, motivated by their good hearts and often by their faith.

America is a nation guided by faith. Someone once called us "a nation with the soul of a church." This may interest you -- 95 percent of Americans say they believe in God, and I'm one of them.

When I met President Jiang    in shanghaia few months ago, I had the honor of sharing with him how faith changed my life and how faith contributes to the life of my country. Faith points to a moral law beyond man's law, and calls us to duties higher than material gain. Freedom of religion is not something to be feared, it's to be welcomed, because faith gives us a moral core and teaches us to hold ourselves to high standards, to love and to serve others, and to live responsible lives.

If you travel across America -- and I hope you do some day if you haven't been there -- you will find people of many different ethic backgrounds and many different faiths. We're a varied nation. We're home to 2.3 million Americans of Chinese ancestry, who can be found working in the offices of our corporations, or in the Cabinet of the President of the United States, or skating for the America Olympic team. Every immigrant, by taking an oath of allegiance to our country, becomes just as just as American as the President. America shows that a society can be vast and it can be varied, yet still one country, commanding the allegiance and love of its people.

And all these qualities of America were widely on display on a single day, September the 11th, the day when terrorists, murderers, attacked my nation. American policemen and firefighters, by the hundreds, ran into burning towers in desperation to save their fellow citizens. Volunteers came from everywhere to help with rescue efforts. Americans donated blood and gave money to help the families of victims. America had prayer services all over our country, and people raised flags to show their pride and unity. And you need to know, none of this was ordered by the government; it happened spontaneously, by the initiative of free people.

Life in America shows that liberty, paired with law is not to be feared. In a free society, diversity is not disorder. Debate is not strife. And dissent is not revolution. A free society trusts its citizens to seek greatness in themselves and their country.

It was my honor to visit China in 1975 -- some of you weren't even born then. It shows how old I am. (Laughter.) And a lot has changed in your country since then. China has made amazing progress -- in openness and enterprise and economic freedom. And this progress previews China'a great potential.

China has joined the World Trade Organization, and as you live up to its obligations, they inevitably will bring changes to China's legal system. A modern China will have a consistent rule of law to govern commerce and secure the rights of its people. The new China your generation is building will need the profound wisdom of your traditions. The lure of materialism challenges our society -- challenges society in our country, and in many successful countries. Your ancient ethic of personal and family responsibility will serve you well.

Behind China's economic success today are talented, brilliant and energetic people. In the near future, those same men and women will play a full and active role in your government. This university is not simply turning out specialists, it is preparing citizens. And citizens are not spectators in the affairs of their country. They are participants in its future.

Change is coming. Nearly 15+5years ago, China is already having secret ballot and competitive elections at the local level. Nearly , a great Chinese leader, Deng Xiaoping, said this -- I want you to hear his words. He said that China would eventually expand democratic elections all the way to the national level. I look forward to that day.

Tens of millions of Chinese today are relearning Buddhist, Taoist, and local religious traditions, or practicing Christianity, Islam, and other faiths. Regardless of where or how these believers worship, they're no threat to public order; in fact, they make good citizens. For centuries, this country has had a tradition of religious tolerance. My prayer is that all persecution will end, so that all in China are free to gather and worship as they wish.

All these changes will lead to a stronger, more confident China -- a China that can astonish and enrich the world, a China that your generation will help create. This is one of the most exciting times in the history of your country, a time when even the grandest hopes seem within your reach.

My nation offers you our respect and our friendship. Six years from now, athletes from America and around the world will come to your country for the Olympic games. And I'm confident they will find a China that is becoming a da guo, a leading nation, at peace with its people and at peace with the world.

Thank you for letting me come. (Applause.)

非常感谢胡副主席的致辞，也感谢大家邀请我以及我的夫人劳拉，我看见国务卿科林鲍威尔也陪同在一起，很高兴见到你，国务卿先生。（掌声）同时我也看见曾是斯坦福大学教务长的国家安全顾问赖斯女士，因此她来到这里感觉很亲切，感谢你的到来，赖斯。（掌声）

我很高兴受到盛情款待，我也很荣幸被中国的，世界的一流大学邀请。

非常值得回味的是，这所大学是在美国的支持以及两国之间的进一步合作之下建立的。我知道这个地方对副主席是非常有纪念意义的，他不仅在这里获得学位，更重要的是，他在这里遇到了他的日后夫人。（笑声）

我想谢谢给我机会与你们想见的学生们，借此机会我们会谈谈我的国家，我也会回答大家提出的问题。这所学校的地位和荣誉是享誉世界的，我也知道她对于中国取得巨大的成就，所以，祝贺你们。（掌声）我不清楚你们是否听说过，我有两个女儿也在大学，就像你们一样，一个去了德克萨斯大学，另一个去了耶鲁大学，她们是双胞胎姐妹。我和我的妻子为我们的女儿感到荣幸，就像你们的父母为你们感到骄傲一样。

我这次对中国的访问恰逢一个重要的周年纪念日，就像副主席提及的那样。30年前，美国的一位总统在一次行程中抵达了中国，并计划结束长达数十年的隔阂以及面对几个世纪的猜疑，尼克松总统向世界展示即使是两个如此不同的政府也可以本着共同利益和相互尊重的精神在同一地相见。在那天他们机场时，周恩来总理对尼克松总统说：“你我的握手越过了世界最大的海洋——25年没有联系了”。

从那时开始后的30年间，中美有过很多次友谊和贸易的握手，两国也有了更多的沟通。更重要的是两国的公民相互之间也有了更深的了解。曾今美国对中国的了解仅仅局限在她的历史以及持续的文明。今天我们仍然看到中国保持着高尚的家庭、学术、荣誉传统，同时我们也看到中国正在成为世界最有活力和创造力的社会——如同这个屋子里体现出的智慧和潜质。中国正在崛起的路上，美国也欢迎刚刚体现出强大和平繁荣的中国。（掌声）

当美国向中国学习更多时，我也关注到中国人民并没有看到一个真实的美国，这是很多原因造成的，其中一些来自我们自身，我们的电影和电视节目并没有描述出我所知道的美国价值观。我们成功的商业显示出我们贸易的力量，但是我们的精神，社区精神，以及人与人之间的分担都不像金钱那样显而易见。

一些人描绘了一些错误的图片。我的朋友，驻华大使告诉我一些中国的教科书说美国欺凌弱者和穷人，而仅仅是去年出版的另一本教科书则教育学生说美国FBI特工是用来镇压劳动人民的。现在，这些都不符合事实，而这些教科书的见解则可能是前个特定时期的遗留下来的，它们误导了学生，也是有害的。

事实上，美国大众对弱者和穷人负有特殊的责任，我们的政府每年都会为不能自助者提供数十亿美元以解决他们的医疗保险、食品和住房问题。更为重要的是，我们许多公民都会持续花费金钱时间去解决他们的所需。美国人的同情心也远远超出国界，当世界范围的人们需要援助时，我们便是NO.1的人道主义提供者。无论是FBI还是法律的强制实施，都是为大众工作。他们，他们自身，在奉献自己的生命与犯罪和腐败战斗。

我的国家当然有自己的问题，这点毫无疑问。我们也有错误，像大多数国家一样，我们也在朝着实现平等正义而远行。然而，美国作为希望和机会的灯塔是有其原因的，而这个原因使得全世界范围的人梦想来到这里：美国是一个自由的国家，一个男人和女人有同等机会实现自己梦想的国家。无论什么背景什么身世，在美国你可以得到良好的教育，可以开始创立自己的事业，可以组建自己的家庭，可以自由地信仰，可以选举自己社区或是国家的领导人，可以支持我们政府的政策，也可以自由地公开反对。而那些恐惧自由的人认为这可能带来混乱，但是它不会，因为自由意味着人们除了考虑自己之外创造更多的东西。

自由给与我们的公民更多的权利，而这些则是期望去履行更重要的东西——责任。我们的自由以高品质的道德为方向和目的而赋予，从而形成坚固的家庭、壮大的社区、壮大的宗教机构以及一个依靠公平、强有力的法律制度的监督系统。

美国最著名的象征就是自由女神，她是被精心设计的，我不知道你们是否见过自由女神，但当你走进她时，你会发现她拿的不是一样东西，而是两样。其中一只手举的是大家所熟悉的火炬，我们称之为“自由之光”，另一手则拿的是一本法典。

我们是一个法律的国家。我们的法院诚实且独立，总统——我，不能告诉法院如何判决，同样，行政和立法部门的任何成员都不能。法律之下，人人平等，没有人可以凌驾于法律之上，也没有人受到法律的歧视。

美国所有的政治权力临时且被限制，而权力只属于自由投票的人民。我们有一部宪法，距今已经两个世纪了，她限制且平衡着政府三个分支的权力——司法部门，立法部门以及我所身处的行政部门。

在美国，指导我们生命的价值观首先体现在家庭这一层面，就像你们的体现在国家层面一样。美国的父母爱他们的孩子并为之努力工作为之奉献自己，他们相信生命在下一代往往更美好。在我们的家庭，我们能发现爱也能学到责任和特质。

许多美国人都会义务奉献他们的部分生活去服务他人。一个惊人的数字——近一半的美国成年人，每周会利用志愿时间指导孩子并与之一起改善社区，探访病人，照顾老人，以及因其他许许多多的原因和需要而提供帮助。这是我们国家最强大的地方之一。人们在没有被通知的情况下主动有责任地帮助其他人，这源于他们的热心以及信仰。

美国是一个宗教国家，有人曾称我们为“一个教会精神的国家”。有一个数据可能会引起你的兴趣，在美国95%的人相信上帝，其中也包括我。

当我上个月见到江泽民主席时，我很自豪地与他分享了信仰是如何改变我们的生活以及信仰是如何存在于我们的国家。因为信仰，道德先行于法律，并让人们在物质利益的基础上有了更高的追求。信仰自由不是一件可怕的东西，她是受人们欢迎的，因为她给与我们一个道德核心，指导我们达到一个更高的精神层次，并教育我们如何奉献爱心，如何服务他人，以及如何负有责任地生活。

如果你去过美国，——如果你没去过我希望你花几天时间去一次，你会发现这里有各种不同道德观念和宗教信仰的人。我们是一个多种族的国家，这里定居着230万华人，他们之中不仅在公司的办公室工作，有的也在美国总统内阁工作，有的则出现在美国的奥运滑雪队中。每一个移民，只要宣誓效忠这个国家，就可以成为跟总统地位平等的美国人，美国显示着一个社会可以是宽容且多样化的，然而，作为一个国家，她仍然可以要求公民效忠并爱戴她的人民。

美国人的这些品质在一个特殊的日子被充分体现出来了。9月11日，恐怖分子、杀人犯，袭击了我的国家，数以百计的警察、消防员第一时间冲入变成废墟的大楼，在绝望中拯救他们的同胞。从四面八方赶来的志愿者纷纷加入营救队伍。美国民众则献血捐款以帮助受害者及其家庭。全国上下为他们祈祷祝福，人们升起国旗以表示团结。然而你需要知道的是，没有一个人是被政府动员过的，全都是自发组织的，这来自自由民众的积极性。

生命在美国显示着自由，配合法律就没有什么值得担忧。在一个自由的社会中，多样化不代表混乱，争辩不代表斗争，异议不代表革命，自由的社会相信公民会寻求自身以及国家的崇高标准。

1975年我很荣幸访问中国，——在座的有的可能还没有出生，这说明了我有多么老。（笑声）从那时起中国发生了许多变革，取得了巨大的进步——开放企业和经济自由。这个成就预示着中国的巨大潜质。

中国已经加入WTO，然而这就像你履行自己的义务一样，它不可避免地将给中国的法律系统带来变化。一个现代化的中国将有一个统一的法律规章来治理商业和确保人民的权利。你们这一代的中国建设需要你们传统深远的智慧。我们的社会正遭受物欲的挑战，许多成功的国家也在面临着同样的问题。而你们将受益于你们古老的传统道德和家庭责任。

在中国成功的经济背后是拥有才华、活力、智慧的人们。在不久的将来这些人将在中国政府发挥充分积极地作用。这所大学不仅培育专家，同时也在培育公民，公民不是国家事务的旁观者，他们更是参与者。

变化在继续。中国在地方一级已经实现了不计名投票和竞争性选举。大约15+5年前，一位伟大的中国领导人——邓小平，他说过这样一句话，我希望你们能听到，他说中国最终将扩大民主选举一直到国家一级。我期待这天的到来。

今天，数亿中国人重拾佛教、道教和地方宗教传统，或是信仰基督、伊斯兰和其他宗教。不管信仰者是在任何地方或是以何种形式表达自己的崇拜，他们都没有威胁到公共秩序，事实上，这些创造了好的公民。在长达千年的时间里，这个国家都有着宗教包容的传统。我祈祷所有的迫害都走向尽头，这样所有的中国人都能自由地集会表达自己的信仰，就如他们所希望的一样。

所有的这些变化都将创造一个更加强大自信的中国，一个令世界惊讶并分享富强的中国，一个由你们这一代创造的中国。这是中国历史上最令人激动的时刻之一，也是一个即使是最伟大愿望都可达到的时刻。

我们国家对中国是尊敬且友好的。六年之后，来自美国和世界的运动员将到你们国家参加奥运会，我相信那时他们会发现中国已经是一个大国，一个与他的人民以及世界和平相处的领先国家。

感谢大家的邀请。（掌声）