雙語 | 臨別贈言：美國總統寫給繼任者的親筆信

06-24

左起，喬治·布希總統、候任總統巴拉克·奧巴馬、喬治·布希總統、比爾·柯林頓總統和吉米·卡特總統，2009年1月。Doug Mills/The New York Times

「批評指責會洶湧而至。」

「The critics will rage.」?

「做你認為正確的事所帶來的純粹的快樂，是難以言表的。」?

「The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible.」?

這些是喬治·W·布希(George W. Bush)和比爾·柯林頓(Bill Clinton)在給他們的繼任者的離別信中所寫的話。

Those are the words of Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton in parting letters to their successors.

總統給人們選出來替代他們的人留言，是一項悠久的傳統，奧巴馬在周四，也就是他卸任總統職位的前夜致這個國家的感謝信中，也提到了這一傳統。

The notes from presidents to the person elected to replace them are part of a long tradition, one Barack Obama alluded to in his thank you message to the nation on Thursday, the eve of his stepping down as president.

以下是這些信的全文，包括老喬治·布希(George Bush)總統給柯林頓的告別信，後者幾個月前出現在社交媒體上。

Below is the full text of the letters, as well as the note from the elder President George Bush to Mr. Clinton, which was shared on social media months ago.

喬治·W·布希致巴拉克·奧巴馬的信。via George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

喬治·W·布希總統致奧巴馬總統

From President George W. Bush to President Obama

2009年1月20日

Jan. 20, 2009

親愛的貝拉克，

Dear Barack,

祝賀你成為我們的總統。你剛剛打開了自己人生中一個極為美妙的篇章。

Congratulations on becoming our President. You have just begun a fantastic chapter in your life.

很少人能有幸體會你現在所感到的責任。也很少有人能明白此時此刻的激動和你將面臨的挑戰。

Very few have had the honor of knowing the responsibility you now feel. Very few know the excitement of the moment and the challenges you will face.

你會遇到十分艱難的時刻。批評指責會洶湧而至。你的「朋友」會讓你失望。但你會有給你安慰的萬能的上帝、愛你的家人，還有為你打氣的國人，包括我。不管發生什麼，你現在所領導的民眾的品德和同情會給你鼓舞。

There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your 「friends」 will disappoint you. But, you will have an Almighty God to comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me. No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you now lead.

上帝保佑你。

God bless you.

謹上，

Sincerely,

比爾·柯林頓總統致喬治·W·布希的信。via George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum

柯林頓總統致布希總統

From President Clinton to President Bush

2001年1月20日

January 20, 2001

親愛的喬治，

Dear George,

今天，你帶著能賦予一位美國公民的最大的榮耀，開啟了最偉大的征程。

Today you embark on the greatest venture, with the greatest honor, that can come to an American citizen.

就像我一樣，你非常幸運，能在這樣一個時期領導我們的國家。這裡正經歷深刻而且基本上是正面的改變，一些老的問題必須再次得到解答，不只是關於政府的角色，還關於我們國家的本質。

Like me, you are especially fortunate to lead our country in a time of profound and largely positive change, when old questions, not just about the role of government, but about the very nature of our nation, must be answered anew.

你領導著一群驕傲、正派且善良的民眾。從今天開始，你就是我們所有人的總統。我向你致敬，祝你獲得成功，獲得無窮的幸福。

You lead a proud, decent, good people. And from this day you are President of all of us. I salute you and wish you success and much happiness.

你現在肩負的擔子是巨大的，但往往會被誇大。做你認為正確的事所帶來的純粹的快樂，是難以言表的。

The burdens you now shoulder are great but often exaggerated. The sheer joy of doing what you believe is right is inexpressible.

我的祝福與你和你的家人同在。祝你成功。

My prayers are with you and your family. Godspeed.

致上，比爾

Sincerely, Bill

第一位喬治·布希總統致柯林頓總統

From the First President George Bush to President Clinton

1993年1月20日

Jan. 20, 1993

親愛的比爾，

Dear Bill,

剛才走進這間辦公室時，我依然像四年前一樣感到驚奇與崇敬。我知道你也會有這樣的感覺。

When I walked into this office just now I felt the same sense of wonder and respect that I felt four years ago. I know you will feel that, too.

我希望你在這裡獲得巨大的幸福。有些總統描述的那種孤獨感，我從來不曾感到。

I wish you great happiness here. I never felt the loneliness some Presidents have described.

會有一些十分艱難的時刻，如果同時受到你認為並不公平的指責，會讓這些困難變得更加難以克服。我不是一個太會提建議的人；但千萬不要為那些批評感到灰心，不要因此偏離你的軌道。

There will be very tough times, made even more difficult by criticism you may not think is fair. I』m not a very good one to give advice; but just don』t let the critics discourage you or push you off course.

讀到這封信時，你已經成為了我們的總統。我祝福你。也祝福你的家人。

You will be our President when you read this note. I wish you well. I wish your family well.

現在，你的成功就是我們國家的成功。我在為你加油。

Your success now is our country』s success. I am rooting hard for you.

祝你好運——喬治

Good Luck — George

本文作者是NIRAJ CHOKSHI

翻譯：常青