Negligence of its regulations,inattention to its recommendations, if not disobedience to its authority,not only in individuals but in States, soon appeared with their melancholy consequences_universal languor,jealousies and rivalries of States, decline of navigation and commerce,discouragement of necessary manufactures, universal fall in the value of lands and their produce,contempt of public and private faith, loss of consideration and credit with foreign nations,and at length in discontents,animosities, combinations,partial conventions,and insurrection,threatening some great national calamity.
对法规的忽视，对其可取之处的无睹，即使尊重其权威，但对个人及各州，也必须带来令人沮丧的后果。各州的意志消沉，妒嫉和反叛，航海与商业的衰落，必需品的减少，对外信誉与重要性的丧失，最终在不满，怨恨，偏见及反叛中，给国家带来巨大的灾难。
In this dangerous crisis the people of America were not abandoned by their usual good sense,presence of mind,resolution,or integrity.
在这场严重的危机中，美国人民继续保持着它的善意、镇定、刚毅和韧性，
Measures were pursued to concert a plan to form a more perfect union,establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity,provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare,and secure the blessings of liberty.
他们寻求制定计划以及形成一个更加和谐的联邦，建立司法体系，保证国内和平，维护商业，促进普遍的福利，保障自由，
The public disquisitions,discussions,and deliberations issued in the present happy Constitution of Government.
公开的论辩，讨论在当前良好的宪政之下得以发行。
Returning to the bosom of my country after a painful separation from it for ten years, I had the honor to be elected to a station under the new order of things,
在外艰辛漂泊十年之后，重新回到祖国的怀抱，即当选为总统，
and I have repeatedly laid myself under the most serious obligagions to support the Constitution.
我始终认为维护宪法是最神圣的义务。
The operation of it has equaled the most sanguine expectations of its friends, and from an habitual attention to it,satisfaction in its administration,and delight in its effects upon the peace,order,prosperity, and happiness of the nation I have acquired an habitual attachment to it and veneration for it.
它的实施是拥宪派最大的期盼，在对它的持续关注中，满意于它的实施，欣慰于它对和平、秩序、繁荣，及国家幸福的影响，我业已满怀喜爱之意，崇敬之情。
What other form of government,indeed,can so well deserve our esteem and love?
确实，还有什么其他形式的政体，值得我们如此尊敬和热爱呢？
There may be little solidity in an ancient idea that congregations of men into cities and nations are the most pleasing objects in the sight of superior intelligences, but this is very certain,that to a benevolent human mind there can be no spectacle presented by any nation more pleasing, more noble,majestic,or august,than an assembly like that which has so often been seen in this and the other Chamber of Congress, of a Government in which the Executive authority,as well as that of all the branches of the Legislature,are exercised by citizens selected at regular periods by their neighbors to make and execute laws for the general good.
古代有一种很不严密的观念认为，人类聚集而形成城市和国家，是最令具有卓越见识的人感到愉悦的目标。但无可置疑的是，在善良的人们看来，任何国家所显示的情景，都不比这里和另一议院所经常见到的集会更令人喜悦，更高尚庄严，或者说更令人敬畏，政府的行政权和国会各个机构的立法权，是由同胞们定期选出的公民来行使的，其目的是为公众利益而制定和执行法律。
Can anything essential,anything more than mere ornament and decoration,be added to this by robes and diamonds?
难道官袍和钻石能为此增添实质性的东西吗？
Can authority be more amiable and respectable when it descends from accidents or institutions established in remote antiquity than when it springs fresh from the hearts and judgments of an honest and enlightened people?
难道它们不就是一些装饰品吗？难道因运而生或通过远古制度而继承的权力，会比诚实而卓识的人民按自己的意愿和判断而产生的权力更可亲可敬吗？
For it is the people only that are represented.
因为这样的政府唯一代表的是人民。
It is their power and majesty that is reflected,and only for their good, in every legitimate government,under whatever form it may appear.
它的各个各法机构，无论表现为何种形式，反映的都是人民的权利和尊严，并且只为人民谋利益。
The existence of such a government as ours for any length of time is a full proof of a general dissemination of knowledge and virtu7 throughout the whole body of the people.
像我们这样的政府，不论其将存在多久，都是对知识和美德在全人类传播的充分证明。
And what object or consideration more pleasing than this can be presented to the human mind?
难道还有比这更令人喜悦的目标或构想能奉献给人类观念吗？
If national pride is ever justifiable or excusable it is when it springs,not from power or riches, grandeur or glory,but from conviction of national innocence,information,and benevolence.
如果说民族自豪感历来无可非议和情有可原，那么，这种自豪感必定不是来自权势和财富，不是来自豪华和荣耀，而是来自坚信民族的纯真、见识和仁爱。
来源:可可英语 http://www.kekenet.com/Article/200910/86500.shtml