簡介
《獨立宣言》的全稱為《美國獨立宣言(United States Declaration of Independence)》，為美國最初的十三個殖民地宣布脫離英國獨立的正式文件。其原件收藏于美國華盛頓特區(qū)的“美國國家檔案館”內(nèi)，供大眾參觀。
《獨立宣言》沒有設置章節(jié)標題，但實際上，這篇文章敘述了如下幾個部分：首先闡明了美國立國的哲學根基；接著列舉了英王喬治三世及殖民地官僚系統(tǒng)的惡毒和對殖民地人們的迫害；最后鄭重宣布脫離英國而獨立。
托馬斯·杰斐遜起草了《獨立宣言》的第一稿，而后富蘭克林等人進行了潤色；在其基礎上，大陸會議(Continental Congress) 做了進一步的辯論和修改，最終通過。1776年7月4日，《獨立宣言》由第二次大陸會議于費城批準，而這一天則成為美國的“獨立紀念日”。
《獨立宣言》簽署之地
這是美國最核心的立國文書之一，其中諸多理念被寫入美國憲法，更被后世的人們無數(shù)次引用：如林肯的《葛底斯堡演說》、馬丁·路德·金的《我有一個夢想》，等等；好萊塢電影《當幸福來敲門》也以一個平常人“追尋幸福的權(quán)利”的主題講述了動人的故事。
這份“吁請世界的最高正義”的《美國獨立宣言》，原文僅1300余詞，卻深刻影響了世界。它的主張正氣凜然，文字鏗鏘有力，同時有著優(yōu)美的文學張力，是了解世界歷史及英文之美的經(jīng)典篇章。值得認真閱讀。
本文所選音頻版本的朗讀者涵蓋了美國的著名明星，包括邁克爾·道格拉斯、凱文·史派西、凱西·貝茨，等等。
《獨立宣言》全文
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them,
在有關(guān)人類事務的發(fā)展過程中，當一個民族必須解除其和另一個民族之間的政治聯(lián)系，并在世界各國之間依照自然法則和自然神明，取得獨立和平等的地位時，
a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
出于對人類公意的尊重，必須宣布他們不得不獨立的原因。
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
我們認為下面這些真理是不言而喻的：造物者創(chuàng)造了平等的個人，并賦予他們?nèi)舾刹豢蓜儕Z的權(quán)利，其中包括生命權(quán)、自由權(quán)和追求幸福的權(quán)利。
— That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
為了保障這些權(quán)利，人們才在他們之間建立政府，而政府之正當權(quán)力，則來自被統(tǒng)治者的同意。
— That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,
任何形式的政府，只要破壞上述目的，人民就有權(quán)利改變或廢除它，并建立新政府；
laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
新政府賴以奠基的原則，得以組織權(quán)力的方式，都要最大可能地增進民眾的安全和幸福。
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes;
的確，從慎重考慮，不應當由于輕微和短暫的原因而改變成立多年的政府。
and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
過去的一切經(jīng)驗也都說明，任何苦難，只要尚能忍受，人類都寧愿容忍，而無意廢除他們久已習慣了的政府來恢復自身的權(quán)益。
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
但是，當政府一貫濫用職權(quán)、強取豪奪，一成不變地追逐這一目標，足以證明它旨在把人民置于絕對專制統(tǒng)治之下時，那么，人民就有權(quán)利，也有義務推翻這個政府，并為他們未來的安全建立新的保障。
— Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
這就是這些殖民地過去逆來順受的情況，也是它們現(xiàn)在不得不改變以前政府制度的原因。
The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.
當今大不列顛國王的歷史，是一再損人利己和強取豪奪的歷史，所有這些暴行的直接目的，就是想在這些邦建立一種絕對的暴政。
To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
為了證明所言屬實，現(xiàn)把下列事實向公正的世界宣布。
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
他拒絕批準對公眾利益最有益、最必要的法律。
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
他禁止他的總督們批準急需和至關(guān)重要的法律，要不就把這些法律擱置起來暫等待他的同意；一旦這些法律被擱置起來，他就完全置之不理。
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
他拒絕批準允許將廣大地區(qū)供民眾墾殖的其他法律，除非那些人民情愿放棄自己在立法機關(guān)中的代表權(quán)；但這種權(quán)利對他們有無法估量的價值，只有暴君才畏懼這種權(quán)利。
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
他把各地立法機構(gòu)召集到既不方便、也不舒適且遠離公文檔案保存地的地方去開會，其唯一的目的是使他們疲于奔命，順從他的意旨。
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
他一再解散各殖民地的議會，因為它們堅定果敢地反對他侵犯人民的各項權(quán)利。
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
在解散各殖民地議會后，他又長時間拒絕另選新議會。但立法權(quán)是無法被取消的，因此這項權(quán)力已經(jīng)回到廣大人民手中并由他們來行使；其時各邦仍然險象環(huán)生，外有侵略之患，內(nèi)有動亂之憂。
He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
他竭力抑制各殖民地增加人口，為此，他阻撓《外國人歸化法律》的通過，拒絕批準其他鼓勵外國人移居各邦的法律，并提高分配新土地的條件。
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
他拒絕批準建立司法權(quán)力的法律，藉以阻撓司法公正。
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
他控制了法官的任期、薪金數(shù)額和支付，從而讓法官完全從屬于他個人的意志。
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.
他建立多種新的衙門，派遣蝗蟲般多的官員，騷擾我們?nèi)嗣?，并蠶食民脂民膏。
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
在和平時期，未經(jīng)我們立法機關(guān)的同意，他就在我們中間駐扎常備軍。
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.
他使軍隊獨立于民政權(quán)力之外，并凌駕于民政權(quán)力之上。
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
他同一些人勾結(jié)，把我們置于一種與我們的體制格格不入、且不為我們的法律認可的管轄之下；他還批準這些人炮制的假冒法案，來到達下述目的：
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
在我們這里駐扎大批武裝部隊；
For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
用假審訊來包庇他們，使那些殺害我們各邦居民的謀殺者逍遙法外；
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
切斷我們同世界各地的貿(mào)易；
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
未經(jīng)我們同意便向我們強行征稅；
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury:
在許多案件中剝奪我們享有陪審團的權(quán)益；
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses:
編造罪名把我們遞解到海外去受審。
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies.
在一個鄰近地區(qū)廢除英國法律的自由制度，在那里建立專橫政府，并擴大它的疆界，企圖使之迅即成為一個樣板和得心應手的工具，以便向這里的各殖民地推行同樣的專制統(tǒng)治；
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
取消我們的特許狀，廢除我們最寶貴的法律，并且從根本上改變了我們的政府形式；
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
中止我們自己的立法機構(gòu)，宣稱他們自己在任何情況下都有權(quán)為我們立法。
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
他宣布我們已不在他的保護之下，并向我們開戰(zhàn)，從而放棄了這里的政權(quán)。
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
他在我們的海域大肆掠奪，蹂躪我們的海岸，焚燒我們的市鎮(zhèn)，殘害我們?nèi)嗣竦纳?/span>
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
此時他正在運送大批外國傭兵來完成屠殺、破壞和肆虐的勾當，這種勾當早就開始，其殘酷卑劣甚至在最野蠻的時代也難出其右。他完全不配做一個文明國家的元首。
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
他強迫在公海被他俘虜?shù)奈覀兊墓裢滠?，反對自己的國家，成為殘殺自己朋友和親人的創(chuàng)子手，或是死于自己朋友和親人的手下。
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
他在我們中間煽動內(nèi)亂，并且竭力挑唆那些殘酷無情的印第安人來殺掠我們邊疆的居民。眾所周知，印第安人的作戰(zhàn)方式是不分男女老幼，一律格殺勿論。
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.
在這些壓迫的每一階段中，我們都曾用最謙卑的言辭請求救濟，但我們一再的請求所得到的答復卻是一再的傷害。
A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
這樣一個君主，在其品行已打上了可以看作是暴君行為的烙印時，便不配做自由人民的統(tǒng)治者。
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us.
我們不是沒有顧念我們英國的弟兄。我們一再警告過他們，他們的立法機關(guān)企圖把無理的管轄權(quán)橫加到我們的頭上。
We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here.
我們也提醒過他們，我們移民并定居來這里的狀況。
We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity,
我們曾經(jīng)呼喚他們天生的正義感和俠肝義膽，
and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence.
我們懇切陳詞，請他們念在同文同種的份上，棄絕這些必然會破壞我們彼此關(guān)系和往來的無理掠奪。
They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity.
對于這種來自正義和基于血緣的呼聲，他們卻也同樣置若罔聞。
We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
迫不得已，我們不得不宣布和他們分離。我們會以對待其他民族一樣的態(tài)度對待他們：戰(zhàn)時是仇敵，平時是朋友。
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled,
因此，我們，集合在大陸會議下的美利堅聯(lián)合邦的代表，
appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare,
為我們各項正當意圖，吁請全世界最崇高的正義：以各殖民地善良人民的名義并經(jīng)他們授權(quán)，我們極為莊嚴地宣布，
That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States,
這些聯(lián)合殖民地從此成為、而且是名正言順地成為自由和獨立的國家；
that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown,
它們解除效忠英國王室的一切義務，
and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;
它們和大不列顛國家之間的一切政治關(guān)系從此全部斷絕，而且必須斷絕；
and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce,
作為自由獨立的國家，它們完全有權(quán)宣戰(zhàn)、締和、結(jié)盟、通商
and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do.
和采取獨立國家理應采取和處理的一切行動和事宜。
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,
為了強化這篇宣言，我們懷著深信神明保佑的信念，
we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
謹以我們的生命、財富和神圣的榮譽，相互保證，共同宣誓。
