《獨立宣言》新譯 節選——翻譯：鄭經衛

《獨立宣言》新譯 節選

鄭經衛翻譯

我們相信以下的表述是一條顛撲不滅的真理：在我們共同被造物的主建造時，每一個人都是平等的，造物主賦予天下蒼生幾項不容旁人覬覦的權利，這就是生存權、追求獨立與自由的權利、以及追求幸福的權利。

為了保證以上各項權利的落實，這些原本平等的人，在彼此之間構築了政府，授予政府適度的權力，並同意由政府來管理這些授權者。

無論具體時間或方式為何，如果任何政府開始妨礙普羅大眾實現這些權利，那麼百姓當然有權更換或廢棄舊的政府，並以一個新的政府取而代之。

這種時候，無論是新政府賴以存在的價值觀還是其權力的授受方式，都必須服從一個大原則：就是要最大限度地保證普羅大眾的安全和幸福。

審慎地說，我們的確不應該因著那些無關痛癢或暫時性的原因，而隨便推翻長期存在的政府。同時經驗也告訴我們，只要還有一線忍耐的可能，百姓還是情願忍受他們習以為常的政府形式，也不願立刻著手糾正錯誤推翻政府。

然而，接踵而來的濫權和強取豪奪，已經充分表明政府是死心塌地要把人民置於其專制暴政之下。那麼這種時候，人民不僅有權力、甚至有義務去推翻此類如狼似虎的政府，因為這將是他們未來安全的保障。

這就是我們北美殖民地的故事：過去我們默默地耐心忍受了各種苦難，但現在我們發現，我們必須馬上採取行動擯棄迄今為止的政府形態。現在英國王座上的那個國王，他本人的發跡就是一系列巧取豪奪的結果，而他所有的目的、就是想把北美各州置於他獨裁的魔爪之下。面對這朗朗乾坤，我們願秉筆直錄這些事實，來證明我們行動的必要性。

declaration of independence

（Excerpts)

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 they are among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among them, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed. 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, 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than t right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. 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. 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. The history of the present King of Great Britain is usurpations, all having in direct object tyranny over these States. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

《獨立宣言》新譯 節選——翻譯：鄭經衛

鄭經衛，日語本科，經濟學碩士，任職世界前500強企業20年，大宗商品交易專家，獨立經濟人。現定居美國洛杉磯。洛杉矶“郑氏杯”围棋赛与“郑氏杯”少儿赛创办人。