前总统小布什在我毕业典礼上的演讲
2018年12月7日，星期五
陌上美国
小布什给老布什的悼词赚得不少笑声和眼泪，特别是在说最后一句时，一直棚着脸不哭的小布什哽咽了，不少观众的泪水夺眶而出。全场爆发出葬礼上十分罕见的长久掌声。
十几年前第一次在毕业典礼上见到美国总统小布什，十分惊讶于总统的口才和风度！后来看到听到其他总统的演讲，原来，前美国总统个个都是魅力超群。亲和，风趣，机智，幽默是领导们的标准配置。
别看地处墨西哥湾的路易斯安娜州在美国50个州中毫不起眼，这个深红州一直是共和党的地盘。在咱州立大学LSU过去291届毕业典礼上，就有四位总统做过毕业典礼演讲嘉宾：罗纳德·里根（1990），吉米·卡特（1994），老布什（2001），小布什（2004）。小布什的太太劳拉是1992届的毕业演讲嘉宾。
2004年5月21日星期五，乔治·W·布什总统参加路易斯安那州立大学(Louisiana State University, 以下简称LSU)2004届毕业典礼，接受荣誉学位，并为我们毕业生作了启迪励志、切中时局的毕业演讲，引发观众席上一阵阵会心的笑声。
当年陪妈妈参加毕业典礼的小学生现在都已经大学毕业了，今天翻出那个令我激动不己的总统演讲，回味、翻译，虽然时移事易，仍然很受教谊。
译文：
布什总统在路易斯安那州立大学2004届毕业典礼上的讲话
路易斯安那州立大学
巴吞鲁日，路易斯安那州
上午10:21 CDT
非常感谢大家。埃默特荣誉校长，詹金斯校长，奥格登议长，国会议员，教职员工，受委托人，家属，贵宾和2004届毕业生们。（掌声）感谢你们的热烈欢迎。身处这个美丽的校园，感觉好极了。今天，你们所有人都将成为骄傲的LSU校友，我很荣幸能在毕业典礼这一天和你们在一起。（掌声）
就在你们从LSU毕业时，你们的校长也正在迎接新的挑战。我们感谢埃默特校长在领导LSU成为美国旗舰大学方面所做的出色贡献。（掌声）今天我们向路易斯安那州立大学全体教授致以崇高的敬意，感谢他们的不凡才华和专注奉献。
本届毕业生中，一些人以优异的成绩毕业，我祝贺你们通过自律而取得的成就。其他人可能在图书馆花的时间比较少—（笑声）—更多时间用在风铃酒吧（The Chimes）里暖吧凳。（笑声和掌声）但是你还是获得了学位，今天你们也可以带着希望离校。我站在这里说这话是有道理的—（笑声）—你们已经看到了一个考试老得C学生也可以混得不错。（笑声和掌声）
想必大家都在LSU学到了很多东西，特别是学会了对体育比赛上心。（掌声）我知道你为强大的全国联赛冠军而自豪，最优秀的球员才配穿LSU球衣——还有女子田径队身手不凡的女士们。（掌声）另外，你们的校橄榄球队的确很棒。（掌声）我有第一手资料，萨班教练早就在白宫告诉我他有一支多么厉害的球队。在这里，我要向LSU所有的运动员表示祝贺。（掌声）
上了四年的课，我认为你们不想再听一堂长篇大课了。你们可能已经厌倦了言论自由的政治演讲。（笑声）所以，今天，在你们大学生活的最后一天，我想分享一些我这一路上学到的人生经验。
先从我学到的一个非常有价值的教训开始——这个教训影响了我的一生——它就是：听妈妈的话。（笑声和掌声）我别无选择。我妈妈总有办法表达她的建议。当我听从时，总是受益匪浅。当我忽略时，必定付出代价。这个道理现在仍然有效。（笑声）在别人眼中，现在的你已经是一个独立的成年人。在你妈妈的眼中，你可能还没完全长大。也许你并不总是同意她的意见，但我是这么想的：来到这个世界听到的第一个声音总是值得仔细倾听。（掌声）
今天有很多父母出席，我知道你们的感觉。最后一次写支票付学费的感觉真心不错。（笑声）过去20多年一晃而过。我知道你们为儿女们感到骄傲，我知道儿女们也很感激你们。今天我们向2004届毕业生家长表示敬意。（掌声）
我想给毕业生另外一点建议，供你们在考虑你的生活价值观和优先事项时参考。有时你会听到人们说道德真理是相对的，或称宗教信仰只是一种起安慰作用的幻觉。当你听到这样的谈话时，要打心底地怀疑。慷慨和开放的态度似乎告诉我们，每个人的道德观点都正确。但这种态度也可以成为回避生活中最重要问题的借口。多年来，无数人都将寻求道德真理视为生活的主要目的之一。而且他们是对的。
良好的社会建立在坚信哪些是正确，哪些是错误的基础上，我们可以清楚地知道善恶有别。我们的国家建立的基石是帐目清白的商人，忠于誓言的公职人员，忠于职守的士兵，以及诚信行事的各行各业的男男女女，即使在无人监督的情况下。（掌声）
好日子也建立在道德信念上的。你会发现，那些漠不关心和愤世嫉俗的人所取得的成就微不足道；你会发现，打击不公正和邪恶需要善良和真理的视野；你会发现，能体面地生活的唯一方法就是珍惜荣誉。为了你和我们国家的利益，我希望你们始终在努力，成长为有信念和品格的人。（掌声）
当你开始职业生涯时，我还有一些关于如何在工作中取得成功的建议。初入职场的人，一定要守时。这是一种礼貌，它表明了你对他人的尊重。当然，我这么说比较容易。当武装人员为我的出行叫停城里所有的车辆时，守时对我来说太容易不过了。（笑声）
在工作、生活中其他场合，择友请慎重。与你打交道的朋友会影响到你——可能是好事，也可能是坏事。我的工作，让我可以随意选择同僚。（笑声）我对自己的选择感到满意——尽管我希望有人早点警告过我迪克·切尼喜欢狂野的派对。（笑声）
让我再分享一个教训。无论生活把我们带向何方，无论我们遇到什么挑战，我们都有很多值得感激的人。正确衡量感恩之心的方法就是服务于人。没有所谓白手起家的男人或女人。每个人都在生活中或多或少地得到过别人的帮助。记住别人的赠予是成熟的标志，慷慨地向他人传递所受到的恩惠是一种体面。有一个明智的说法：索取是生存之道；给予是生命之源。
LSU有感恩社区和服务国家的传统。校园里有四座纪念碑，用来怀念那些在部队服役期间牺牲的LSU学生。最近，战争纪念馆增加了一个新名字：海军陆战队中尉斯科特·拉马纳，他于2001年9月11日在五角大楼的袭击中丧生。他战死在自己的职位上，国家因而永远纪念他。
在反恐战争中，我们也依靠LSU的其他人。今天与我们一起获得学位的有三名年轻人，他们在伊拉克自由行动中服现役。我们感谢卡凡莱（Cavalier）中士，依斯玻斯托（Esposito）下士，杰瑞尔（Jarreau）中士在美国海军陆战队服役。（掌声）
崇尚自由的最好方法之一就是捍卫自由。那些穿着我们国家制服的人以无私和勇气多次报效国家。我们需要这种勇气。我们生活在美国的意志和品格正在经受考验的历史时期。我们正在向一个拥有大规模杀伤性武器的敌对国家宣战，我们有一个压倒一切的目标：他们希望通过传播仇恨意识形态，来迫使美国在虚弱和恐惧中退出。然而，他们会发现，美国人绝不逃跑畏缩。当国家下定决心时，我们会坚持到底。（掌声）
我们有一个历史性的机会，在中东的中心建立一个和平民主的伊拉克，消除危险，打击恐怖主义，使美国和世界更加安全。我们将继续完成许多人为之服务和牺牲的使命。可以肯定，无论需要花多大代价，我们都将捍卫这个国家的自由和安全。（掌声）全世界可以相信，我们永远不会放弃我们的信念：自由是上帝送给世界上每个人的礼物。 （掌声）
60多年前，当美国珍珠港遭到袭击时，这所大学的一名大四学生加入了海军陆战队。因为还缺少三个学分，所以他未能在1942年如期毕业。相反，他参加了在硫磺岛、关岛以及太平洋其他地方的激烈战斗。战后，拉马尔·西蒙斯下士回到路易斯安那州，成了一个运营广播电台、成功的专业人士。不久前，他的继子得知LSU为军旅服务计算学分后，代表西蒙斯先生申请到了这些学分。所以1938年在这里开始学习的这个人今天和你们一起毕业：2004届的拉玛·西蒙斯（Lamar Simmons）。（掌声）
西蒙斯先生，刚刚收到的LSU荣誉学位，让我成为你的毕业班中第二年长的学生。（笑声）我代表所有本届毕业班同学向他以及他所属的一代伟大的美国人致敬。（掌声）远在他乡的冲突改变了这些美国人的生活，他们主动承担了没有被要求的职责，做了必须做的事情。他们让这个国家自由；我们仍然亏欠他们。
作为总统，我有幸看到另一代人崛起，承担责任，并展现其性格。我见过充满善良和理想主义年轻美国人。我看到了自信——我看到了你们对自己的信心，我对你们，你们这一代人以及你们将对我们国家所做出的巨大贡献充满信心。
最好的祝福送给你们。感谢你们和我分享这一天。我很自豪能成为你们毕业班上的一员。恭喜你，愿上帝保佑你。 （掌声）
结束10:37 A.M. CDT
==============================
英文原文：
https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/05/20040521-4.html
Remarks by the President at the Louisiana State University Commencement
Pete Maravich Assembly Center
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
10:21 A.M.CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Chancellor Emmert, and President Jenkins, and Chairman Ogden, members of the Congress, members of the faculty, trustees, families, distinguished guests, and members of the class of 2004. (Applause.) I want to thank you for the warm welcome. It's great to be in the -- on this wonderful campus. I'm honored to be with you on graduation day, as all of you become proud alumni of Louisiana State University. (Applause.)
As you graduate from LSU, your Chancellor is graduating to new challenges, as well. We appreciate Chancellor Emmert for his fine, steadfast leadership in making LSU one of America's flagship universities. (Applause.) This day is a tribute, as well, to the faculty of LSU, and we thank them for your skill and your dedication.
Some in this class are graduating with honors, and I congratulate all of you on an achievement that took a lot of discipline. Others may have spent a little less time in the library -- (laughter) -- a little more time keeping the stools warm down at The Chimes. (Laughter and applause.) But you earned your degree, and you, too, can leave today with high hopes. I speak with some authority here -- (laughter) -- I've seen how things can work out pretty well for a C student. (Laughter and applause.)
All of you have learned a lot here at LSU, and you learned to take your sports seriously. (Applause.) I know you're especially proud of your mighty national champs, the finest athletes to wear the LSU jersey -- the Lady Tigers of the women's track team. (Applause.) Plus you've got a pretty good football team, too. (Applause.) I know firsthand, when Coach Saban told me right there at the White House how good this team was. And I want to congratulate all the athletes here at LSU. (Applause.)
After four years of sitting through lectures, I've a feeling you're not in the mood for another one. You've probably had your fill of political speeches from Free Speech Alley. (Laughter.) So today, on your last day at LSU, I thought I would share a few important lessons that I've picked up along the way.
Let me begin with a very valuable lesson I've learned -- a lesson that has influenced my well-being -- and here it is: Listen to your mother. (Laughter and applause.) I had little choice. My Mom has a way of speaking her mind. When I paid attention, I benefitted. When I didn't, I paid the price. That's how it still works. (Laughter.)
In the world's eyes, you are now an independent adult. In your mother's eyes, you probably still have some growing up to do. You may not always agree with her advice, but I think of it this way: The first voice you heard is always worth listening to. (Applause.)
There are many moms and dads here today, and I know how some of you are feeling. It feels really good to write the last tuition check. (Laughter.) It also feels like the last 20 years or so went by awfully fast. I know you're proud of your sons and daughters, and I know they are grateful. Today we honor the parents of the class of 2004. (Applause.)
Here is another bit of advice I hope you graduates will consider, as you weigh the values and priorities of your life. Sometimes you'll hear people say that moral truth is relative, or call religious faith a comforting illusion. And when you hear talk like that, take it seriously enough to be skeptical. It may seem generous and open-minded to say that everybody, on every moral issue, is equally right. But that attitude can also be an excuse for sidestepping life's most important questions. Most people over the ages have viewed the search for moral truth as one of the main purposes of life. And they were correct.
Good societies are constructed on the conviction that there is right, and there is wrong, and we can know the difference.Our country depends on businesspeople who are honest in keeping the books, and public officials who stay true to their oath, and soldiers who put their duty above comfort, and men and women in every walk of life who conduct themselves with integrity, even when no one is watching. (Applause.)
Good lives are also constructed on moral conviction. You will find that indifferent and cynical men and women accomplish little that makes them proud. You will find that fighting injustice and evil requires a vision of goodness and truth. You will find the only way to live an honorable life is to believe in honor. For your sake and for the sake of our country, I hope you will always strive to be men and women of conviction and character. (Applause.)
As you enter professional life, I have a few other suggestions about how to succeed on the job. For starters, be on time. It's polite, and it shows your respect for others. Of course, it's easy for me to say. It's easy for me to be punctual when armed men stop all the traffic in town for you. (Laughter.)
On the job and elsewhere in life, choose your friends carefully. The company you keep has a way of rubbing off on you -- and that can be a good thing, or a bad thing. In my job, I got to pick just about everybody I work with. (Laughter.) I've been happy with my choices -- although I wish someone had warned me about all of Dick Cheney's wild partying. (Laughter.)
Let me leave you with one more lesson. Wherever life takes us, and whatever challenges we meet, each one of us has much to be grateful for. And the proper measure of response of a grateful heart is service. There's no such thing as a self-made man or woman. Everyone has had a little help along the way. It is a sign of maturity to remember our debts, and a sign of grace to pass the favor along in generosity to others. There's a wise saying: We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.
Louisiana State University has a tradition of gratitude expressed in service to community and country. Four monuments on your campus honor those from LSU who served and died in the Armed Forces. Recently, a new name was added to the War Memorial: Navy Lieutenant Scott Lamana was killed in the attack on the Pentagon on September the 11th, 2001. He died at his post. His nation honors his memory.
In the war on terror we have counted on others from LSU. With us today to receive their degrees are three young men who saw active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We thank Sergeant Cavalier, Corporal Esposito, Sergeant Jarreau for their service in the United States Marine Corps. (Applause.)
One of the finest ways to show gratitude for freedom is to defend freedom. And those who wear the uniform of our country have repaid America many times over with their selflessness and courage. That courage is needed. We live in historic times, when the will and character of America are being tested. We're at war with enemies that have many destructive ambitions, and one overriding goal: They want to spread their ideology of hatred by forcing America to retreat from the world, in weakness and fear. Yet, they're finding that Americans are not the running kind. When this country makes a commitment, we see it through. (Applause.)
We have an historic opportunity, the establishment of a peaceful and democratic Iraq at the heart of the Middle East, which will remove a danger, strike a blow against terrorism, and make America and the world more secure. We will complete the mission for which so many have served and sacrificed. And the world can be certain we will defend the freedom and security of this nation, whatever it takes. (Applause.) And the world can be certain we will never abandon our belief that freedom is the gift from the Almighty to every man and woman in this world. (Applause.)
More than 60 years ago, when America was attacked at Pearl Harbor, a senior at this university joined the Marine Corps. He was three credits short, so he didn't graduate in 1942. Instead, he found himself taking part in fierce battles at Iwo Jima and Guam, and elsewhere in the Pacific theater. Corporal Lamar Simmons returned home to Louisiana, and built a successful career running radio stations. Not so long ago, his stepson learned that LSU gives academic credit for military service, and applied for those credits on behalf of Mr. Simmons. And so a man who began his studies here in 1938 graduates with you today: Lamar Simmons, class of 2004. (Applause.)
Mr. Simmons, with my honorary degree, I guess that makes me the second-oldest member of your graduating class. (Laughter.) I speak for all of my classmates in paying tribute to this one man, and to the great generation of Americans to which he belongs. (Applause.) These Americans saw faraway conflict change their lives, and took on duties they had not asked for, and did what had to be done. They kept this country free; we are still in their debt.
As President, I've had the privilege of seeing another generation rise to its responsibilities, and show its character. I've seen the goodness and idealism of young Americans. I've seen confidence -- I've seen your confidence in yourselves, and I have confidence in you, in your generation, and in the great contributions you will make to our country.
I wish you all the best. I thank you for letting me share this day. I'm proud to be a member of your class. Congratulations, and may God bless you. (Applause.)
END 10:37 A.M. CDT
喜欢就请作者喝杯☕️吧~