The only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror,which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
我們唯一害怕的 是害怕本身——這種難以名狀、失去理智和毫無道理的恐懼，把人轉退為進所需的種種努力化為泡影。
President Hoover, Mister Chief Justice, my friends:
胡佛總統，首席法官先生，朋友們：
This is a day of national consecration, and I am certain that on this day, my fellow Americansexpect that on my induction in the Presidency I will address them with a candor and adecision which the present situation of our people impels. This is preeminently the time tospeak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facingthe conditions facing our country today. This great nation will endure as it has endured, willrevive and will prosper. So first of all, let me express my firm belief that the only thing wehave to fear is fear itself-nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes neededefforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership offrankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves,which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support toleadership in these critical days.
今天，對我們的國家來說，是一個神聖的日子。我肯定，同胞們都期待我在就任總統時，會像我國目前形勢所要求的那樣，坦率而果斷地向他們講話。現在正是坦白、勇敢地說出實話，說出全部實話的最好時刻。我們不必畏首畏尾，不老老實實面對我國今天的情況。這個偉大的國家會一如既往地堅持下去，它會復興和繁榮起來。因此，讓我首先表明我的堅定信念：我們唯一不得不害怕的就是害怕本身--一種莫名其妙、喪失理智的、毫無根據的恐懼，它把人轉退為進所需的種種努力化為泡影。凡在我國生活陰雲密佈的時刻，坦率而有活力的領導都得到過人民的理解和支援，從而為勝利準備了必不可少的條件。我相信，在目前危急時刻，大家會再次給予同樣的支援。
In such a spirit on my part and on yours, we face our common difficulties. They concern, thankGod, only material things. Values have shrunken to fantastic levels; taxes have risen, ourability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income; themeans of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered leaves of industrialenterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce, and the savings ofmany years and thousands of families are gone.
我和你們都要以這種精神，來面對我們共同的困難。感謝上帝，這些困難只是物質方面的。價值難以想象地貶縮了;課稅增加了;我們的支付能力下降了;各級政府面臨著嚴重的收入短缺;交換手段在貿易過程中遭到了凍結;工業企業枯萎的落葉到處可見;農場主的產品找不到銷路;千家萬戶多年的積蓄付之東流。
More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equaland great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities ofthe moment.
更重要的是，大批失業公民正面臨嚴峻的生存問題，還有大批公民正以艱辛的勞動換取微薄的報酬。只有愚蠢的樂天派會否認當前這些陰暗的現實。
And yet, our distress comes from no failure of substance, we are stricken by no plague oflocusts. Compared with the perils which our forefathers conquered, because they believed andwere not afraid, we have so much to be thankful for. Nature surrounds us with her bounty, andhuman efforts have multiplied it. Plenty is at our doorstep, but a generous use of it languishesin the very sight of the supply. Primarily, this is because the rulers of the exchange ofmankind’s goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence,have admitted their failure and have abdicated. Practices of the unscrupulous money changersstand indicted in the court of public opinion, rejected by the hearts and minds of men.
但是，我們的苦惱決不是因為缺乏物資。我們沒有遭到什麼蝗蟲的災害。我們的先輩曾以信念和無畏一次次轉危為安，比起他們經歷過的險阻，我們仍大可感到欣慰。大自然仍在給予我們恩惠，人類的努力已使之倍增。富足的情景近在咫尺，但就在我們見到這種 情景的時候，寬裕的生活卻悄然離去。這主要是因為主宰人類物資交換的統治者們失敗了，他們固執己見而又無能為力，因而已經認定失敗了，並撒手不管了。貪得無厭的貨幣兌換商的種種行徑。將受到輿論法庭的起訴，將受到人類心靈理智的唾棄。
True, they have tried, but their efforts have been cast in the patten of an outworn d by a failure of credit, they have proposed only the lending of more money. Stripped ofthe lure of profit by which they induce our people to follow their false leadership, they haveresorted to exhortation, pleading tearfully for restored confidence. They only know the rulesof a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision, the peopleperish.