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早安,全體教職員;各位家長、學生、親朋好友、女士先生們;還有Ryan,感謝你的費心介紹。感謝Samhat教務長-雖然我回去後得好好欣賞一下無所不在的藝術;還有Nugent校長,十分感謝你如此熱情地歡迎我。有些學生建議我稱校長為「The Nooge」(笑聲),但似乎顯得不太尊重,尤其是她在現場,因此我不會這麼做。不過別擔心,校長女士,紐約小報稱我為「Bloomy」;這還算是友善的稱呼,因此我已習以為常。(笑聲)
這是我第一次造訪肯尼恩學院,我聽說第一次來這裡時應該起立站好,在所有人面前唱校歌,讓大家噓你(笑聲);這會讓我感覺像回到紐約市(笑聲)。我很樂意這麼做;我練習了好一陣子,我知道歌詞。但今天的主角不是我,而是各位畢業生。很不幸,你們沒機會聽我大展歌喉。
我今天的工作是向畢業生致敬,但不僅是因為你們的學術成就,儘管你們確實成就非凡。如1842年畢業生Rutherford B. Hayes所言:「成功的榮耀隨著克服的阻礙而增加。」
據我所知,你們的表現十分傑出,在取得文憑的過程中克服重重阻礙。我詢問一些學生曾遇過哪些阻礙,他們說:你們克服了大一那年的豬流感;你們克服了Middle Path上的泥濘、積雪和堅冰;你們克服了應用程式不斷推陳出新的生活;早上8:10就得前往Ascension大樓上經濟課。你們克服了綜合考試;你們克服了Middle Ground咖啡館的歇業;你們克服了每週五的龍捲風警報,和每個冬季的斷電。我想今天應該不會如此;但在我看來,若真如此,實在太離譜了。但你們克服了一切,抵達終點。
然而,對另一些人來說,這也是十分特別的週末。在我分享一些將使你們終生受用的智慧話語之前,請容我談談現場另一群重要的聽眾。他們坐在你們四周,洋溢著驕傲的神情,甚至不曾想過,你們今天的成就讓他們破費多少(笑聲)。或如果你們找不到工作,不得不搬回家該怎麼辦?我指的是你們的父母和親人。何不給他們一個熱烈掌聲?他們顯然受之無愧。(歡呼聲)(掌聲)
明白自己將面對如此傑出的聽眾,我認為在今天的演講前必須做些功課。我確實希望體驗肯尼恩的生活,因此今天早上我本來想參觀「Kack」-全國名列前茅的男子及女子游泳隊誕生地;還有Jasper網球中心-即將孕育出全國男子網球隊冠軍的搖籃(歡呼聲)(掌聲)。我還打算進入傘狀樹內部;我也想參觀Pierce大樓-但避免踩上校徽,我可不想為這場演講帶來厄運。我想前往Cove餐廳,享用三角起司通心粉塊(歡呼聲)(掌聲)。
事實上,我聽說這裡的環境十分-怎麼形容?多采多姿嗎?(笑聲)我想前往Sunset Point,坐在長椅上,然後造訪南校區(South Quad)的Beta岩;但我的健康顧問建議我別坐在上面(笑聲)。最重要的是-你們能怪我嗎?我想看看Gourd-zilla(巨型南瓜)。
前來貴校前,我已計畫好做這些事。但我得坦言,我花了整個上午找停車位(笑聲)。我沒想到在貴校停車竟如此困難,我想我一直開到南區2號停車場(笑聲)。我能及時抵達這裡的唯一原因是,我在「All-Stu」(肯尼恩校園論壇)請求搭便車。
總之,我不像各位畢業生準備得如此充分。但沒關係,因為人生總是得向前看。你們即將展開人生新頁,此時最重要的並非能記得多少課程內容。因為隨著時光流逝,你將忘了大部分讀過的知識、背過的公式、分析過的研究、撰寫過的論文、參加過的考試。無論你們信不信,我已將七年級所學的拉丁語忘得一乾二淨;那是為了取得學位才修的。
這是無法避免的-任何人皆然。但重要的並非是否記得所學的知識,而是明白仍有許多事物有待學習。
你們當中有些人將繼續接受正規教育;有些人或許以後會再回學校深造;有些人或許這輩子再也不想踏進校門。無論如何,我給你們的建議是:別停下學習的腳步。
不久後,你們將正式畢業,但我希望你們終生持續學習的道路。學習能力是生命中最寶貴的資產,千萬別放棄它、千萬別低估它。
我每天研讀西班牙語;我廣泛閱讀,傾聽他人的獨到見解;最重要的是,我不恥下問。千萬別害怕問問題,這並非有損顏面之事;這象徵著誠實面對自己的智慧。
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以下為系統擷取之英文原文
“Good morning, faculty, family, students, friends – Lords and Ladies all! Ryan, thank you for that kind introduction, and thank you, Provost Samhat and President Nugent for giving me such a warm welcome today.
“Some students suggested I call the President ‘The Nooge’ – but that doesn’t seem dignified. Don’t worry, Madame President: The New York tabloids call me “Bloomy.” (And that’s when they’re being nice.)
“This is my first day at Kenyon and I’m told that when you first get here, you’re supposed to stand up and sing the college song in front of everyone – and they boo you. Well, I’m happy to do that. I’ve been practicing, I know the words – but today isn’t about me. It’s about you, the graduates. The Great Class of 2013!
“Today, I salute you, graduates – but not merely for your academic achievements, though they have been many. As Rutherford B. Hayes, Class of 1842, said: ‘The honor of success is increased by the obstacles which are to be surmounted.’
“You have done a remarkable job overcoming every obstacle on the way to your diploma – and I’ve heard about a few of them:
“You overcame swine flu freshman year. You overcame Middle Path – in mud and snow and ice. You overcame living in New-Apps and having an 8:10 A.M. economics class in Ascension.
“You survived comps. You survived the closing of Middle Ground. You survived tornado alerts every Friday – and power blackouts every winter! (I don’t suppose we’ll have one today – but, from what I understand, things get pretty wild when they do.)
“But you survived it all – and here you are.
“However, while this is a very special weekend for the graduates, before imparting some indispensable words of wisdom that you are sure to remember for the rest of your life, I’d like to say something about another important group here today.
“They are sitting out there this morning, beaming proudly and not even thinking about what it cost to get to this day or what happens if you can’t get a job and have to move back home.
“I’m talking about your parents and relatives – let’s give them a big hand. They deserve it!
“Now, knowing that there’d be such a distinguished crowd here, I felt compelled to do my research before I spoke today. I really wanted to understand the Kenyon experience.
“So this morning, I had hoped to visit the ‘Kack’ – home of the nationally ranked men’s and women’s swimming teams! And also the Jasper Tennis Center – home of the soon-to-be National Champion Men’s Tennis team!
“I had planned to go inside the upside-down tree. I wanted to walk into Pierce – and not step on the college seal. (I didn’t want to jinx this speech.)
“I wanted to head over to The Cove – and eat some Mac and Cheese wedges. (I hear the atmosphere is very, what’s the right word, colorful?)
“I wanted to go to Sunset Point and sit on a bench, then go to the Beta Rock over in South Quad – although my health commissioner back at home advised me not to sit on that.
“Most of all – and can you blame me? – I was hoping to see Gourd-zilla!
“I wanted to do all of that before coming here but instead, I spent the entire morning looking for parking!
“I had no idea how hard it is to park on this campus. I think I’m way out in South Lot 2. The only reason I made it here on time is that I sent out an ‘All-Stu’ to get a lift – and here I am.
“So: I’m not quite as prepared for today as you graduates are, but that’s okay because today is about looking forward – as you commence a new phase in your life.
“And as you do, what’s most important is not what you are able to remember from your classes.
“Over time, you will forget most of the books you read, the equations you memorized, the studies you analyzed, the papers you wrote, the tests you took.
“That’s inevitable – it happens to all of us.
“What’s important is not remembering what you’ve learned; it’s realizing how much more there still is to learn.
“Some of you will continue your formal education. Some may go back to school down the road. And some of you never want to sit in a classroom again for the rest of your lives! Regardless: don’t let your education end here.
“In a few minutes, you will become a graduate – but I hope that, for the rest of your life, you will remain a student.
“Your capacity to learn is the greatest asset you have in life. Never give it up – and never sell it short.
“Every day, I take a Spanish lesson. I read widely. I listen to people who have unique insights. And – most importantly – I ask questions.
“Don’t ever be afraid to ask a question.
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英語中最強大的字眼就是「為什麼」,因為沒有任何事物比開闊的心胸更強大。無論你選擇何種人生道路,無論是從事科學研究、技術創新、創業活動、公共服務、藝術展現或任何其他領域,都應持續學習。因為停止學習的那天,即墮落的開始。
世上有許多人已停止學習,自認無所不知。無疑地,你們已遇過其中一些,將來還會遇見更多。他們最喜愛的字眼是「不」;他們會舉出無數理由,解釋為何有些事不能做或不該做。
如果你想發揮潛能,如果你想開創更美好的世界,如果你想發揚偉大的美國夢,千萬別理會他們。別受他們影響,別成為他們的一員。
回顧2001年,當我考慮競選市長時,有人說:「放棄吧!你不可能贏,媒體會將你開膛剖肚,你對政治一無所知。」這還是我家人說的(笑聲)。但有個人對我說:「如果你對進行敗選演講已有心理準備,何不放膽一試?」這是我聽過最好的建議;我從善如流。
欲獲得成功,必須先願意接受失敗,且必須有嘗試的勇氣。如果我今天只能對所有畢業生提出一項期許,那將是:勇敢地生活。勇敢地生活,別打安全牌。我指的並非爬上水塔或在河裡游泳;或奇裝異服,讓老媽飽受驚嚇(笑聲)。我指的是勇於冒險,掌控自己的人生,別讓他人替你決定未來,別等待機會來敲門。
一位肯尼恩校友-喜劇天才Jonathan Winters,他於上個月過世-曾說:「如果你的船未進港,就游去找它。勇於將希望付諸行動,別被恐懼麻痺;勇於獨立思考,相信自我信念。」這種勇氣是人類創新和進步的核心,缺乏勇氣則是現今政治問題的核心。
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“The most powerful word in the English language is ‘Why’ – because there is nothing so powerful as an open mind. Whatever path you choose in life – whether it involves scientific discovery, technological innovation, entrepreneurial activity, public service, artistic expression, public service, or anything else – be a lifelong student.
“Because the day you stop learning is the day you start dying.
“The world is full of people who have stopped learning and who think they’ve got it all figured out. You’ve no doubt met some of them already – and you’ll meet plenty more.
“Their favorite word is ‘No.’ They will give you a million reasons why something can’t be done or shouldn’t be done.
“Don’t listen to them – don’t be deterred by them – and don’t become one of them. Not if you want to fulfill your potential – and not if you want to change the world for the better.
“Back in 2001, when I was considering running for mayor, people told me: ‘Don’t do it. You’ll never win. The media will tear you apart. You don’t know the first thing about politics.’
“And that was just my family.
“But one person said to me: ‘If you can picture yourself giving a concession speech, then why not go for it?’
“That was the best advice I received – and I followed it.
“In order to succeed, you must first be willing to fail and you must have the courage to go for it anyway.
“If I could wish one thing for all of you graduates today, it would be this: Live courageously. Live courageously. Don’t play it safe.
“I’m not talking about climbing the water tower – or swimming in the river or wearing something crazy to ‘Shock Your Mom.’
“I’m saying: Take risks – and take charge. Don’t let others decide your future for you. And don’t wait for opportunity to knock.
“A former Kenyon student – the comic genius Jonathan Winters, who died last month – once said: ‘If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it.’
“Have the courage to act on your hopes; don’t be paralyzed by your fears. Have the courage to think for yourself and to believe in your ideas.
“That kind of courage lies at the heart of human invention and progress – and the lack of it lies at the heart of our political problems today.
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去年,這座校園東北方約125英哩處,一位17歲學生在他就讀的高中餐廳裡開槍,造成3人死亡,多人重傷;這是那一兩天全國矚目的新聞。接著在匹茲堡、邁阿密、奧克蘭、塔爾沙、西雅圖、威明頓、奧羅拉、密爾沃基、德州農工大學、明尼亞波利斯、布魯克菲爾德、波特蘭陸續發生數起大規模槍擊事件。每一起槍擊事件後,華盛頓當局只是聳聳肩。接著是康乃狄克州新鎮的桑迪胡克小學槍擊事件,20名兒童及6名教職員慘遭槍殺。
為人父母的我可以告訴各位,實在無法想像自己孩子發生這種事該怎麼辦?新鎮事件發生後,歐巴馬總統和一些國會領袖終於出面說:我們必須做點什麼。我盡一切努力支持他們,督促國會採取行動,但我們的努力至今仍不足以使相關法案通過:所有購槍者必須接受背景調查。90%美國人贊成這麼做,包括超過80%的槍枝擁有者。
為什麼?為什麼我提起這件事?原因之一:這是美國發生的重大悲劇之一。原因之二:我認為歸根究柢,其中核心在於一個字-勇氣。
太多國會議員缺乏挺身而出的勇氣,對抗全國步槍協會說客甚囂塵上的極端主義觀點。他們當中許多人擔心,支持人民已達成共識的政策,將導致他們在黨內初選中受到他人挑戰,或損害他們獲得政黨高層官員提名的機會。相較於每年拯救三萬多條生命,這個代價似乎太大了。
然而,他們本應做的更好,牢記肯尼恩校友Rutherford B. Hayes(美國第19任總統)的教誨。他在就職演說中提到:「為國盡忠者,才是為黨盡忠者。」
此外,聯邦法律禁止罪犯及精神病患購買槍枝,國會卻沒有勇氣藉由全面性背景調查制度執行這條法律。結果是,每天有33名無辜者死於槍殺。自從你們四年前身為新鮮人、簽署入學誓言以來,已有超過四萬名美國人死於槍殺,幾乎和整個越戰中陣亡的美軍一樣多。
華盛頓國會不願採取行動是最糟的決定,是它至今所做最糟的決定;它不願為改變而戰。你我都不願為改變而戰,如果我們不相信自己能獲勝-這確實是你們應該思考的問題。
事實上,我相信我們遲早能獲勝,因為我相信你們。你們這一代比任何世代-至少從1960年代以來的任何世代-更勇於藉由傳播自己的價值觀和聲音,從根本上重塑社會;我見識過其中的力量多麼強大。
在紐約,年輕人的聲音-有些甚至未達投票年齡-在同性婚姻合法化過程中扮演了關鍵角色;法案在兩黨支持下順利通過。在俄亥俄州,一位共和黨參議員的兒子勇敢出櫃,使他父親改變對同性婚姻的看法,使他有勇氣說出自己的立場。
個人勇氣結合團體行動和團隊合作,足以改變世界。九年前,俄亥俄州選民通過一項憲法修正案-禁止同性婚姻。但許多年輕人挺身而出、組織動員;毫無疑問,這項法案的壽命將屈指可數。
當你們返校參加畢業十周年聚會時-希望在這之前,這項修正案已成為歷史殘渣-我已能想像那場聚會中的一些談話。有些人或許會談到,自己如何為了首位女總統的誕生而努力;有些人或許會談到,自己如何提倡永續發展計畫,使我們在對抗氣候變化的挑戰中獲勝。紐約市亦致力於這項挑戰,希望全國和全世界都能共襄盛舉。
有些人或許會談到,自己創立或就職的科技公司-希望位於紐約市-正逐漸改變人類的生活方式;有些人或許會談到,自己任職的學校正逐漸消弭我國各種族和少數族裔間存在已久的成績差距。我很高興告訴各位,紐約市在這方面已取得重大進展,但顯然尚有進步空間。
有些人或許會談到,自己正致力於根除某些疾病,這是我的慈善機構大力支持的項目之一。我預測每個人都會談到,無論你的人生足跡多麼偏遠,肯尼恩發展辦公室都有辦法將募款信送到你手中。(笑聲)
但無論你選擇何種道路,無論你前往大城或小鎮發展,千萬別忽略一件事:我國的未來掌握在你們手中;我們對你們寄予厚望。因此,我打算將我對每位雇員的勉勵留給你們:別搞砸了。(笑聲)
演講結束前,容我再補充一點。我知道現今就業市場並不景氣;別氣餒,堅持到底遲早會得到回報。如果你願意努力,將找到心儀的工作,過著幸福的生活;如果你持續努力,將持續獲得應有的機會。
我只能告訴你們,我出生於毫無背景的家庭。我寫信、打電話、敲門求職,請朋友替我留意工作機會。這或許就是為何如今,當我面試剛踏出校門的大學畢業生時,當他們告訴我整個夏季都忙著治療癌症、為中東和平努力、撰寫偉大的美國小說時,這或許會讓我留下深刻印象,但顯然我更樂於僱用的是,告訴我他整個夏季日以繼夜地在修車廠或建築公司工作,藉此支付學費或分擔家計的人。
努力是生命中無可取代的事物,如果你願意這麼做、渴望這麼做,你將有機會步步高升。
因此,今晚,當用餐時刻來臨時,享用最後一份三角起司通心粉塊,然後努力打拼。未來歲月裡,當生活不再只是餡餅、薯餅和熱狗時,請記住:持續學習、勇敢生活、比別人更努力。如果這麼做,你努力的成果將如同Gourd-zilla一樣豐碩。
恭喜各位,祝你們一帆風順。(掌聲)
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“Last year, about 125 miles northeast of this campus, a 17-year student opened fire in his high school cafeteria, killing three people and seriously wounding others.
“It was national news – for a day or two. Then came mass shootings in Pittsburgh, Miami, Oakland, Tulsa, Seattle, Wilmington, Aurora, Milwaukee, Texas A&M, Minneapolis, Brookfield, Portland.
“After each one, those in Washington just shrugged.
“Then, Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.
“20 children, six faculty members all gunned down.
“As a parent, it was just unthinkable. After Newtown, President Obama and some congressional leaders finally stood up and said: Something must be done.
“I did everything I could to support them and to push Congress to act. But our efforts weren’t enough to pass a piece of legislation – requiring background checks for all gun purchases – that 90 percent of Americans agree with including more than 80 percent of gun owners.
“Why?
“I believe it comes down to one word: courage.
“Too many members of Congress did not have the courage to stand up to the increasingly extremist view of the NRA’s Washington lobbyists.
“Many of them feared that voting for a common sense policy would lead to someone challenging them in a party primary or hurt their chances to win their party’s nomination to higher office.
“They would have done well to remember the words of Kenyon’s Rutherford B. Hayes, who said at his inaugural: ‘He serves his party best who serves his country best.’
“Instead, we have a federal law that prohibits criminals and the mentally ill from buying guns – and we have a Congress that doesn’t have the courage to enforce it through a comprehensive background check system.
“As a result, 33 innocent people are murdered with guns every day. That’s 12,000 Americans every year.
“Since you graduates first signed the Matriculation Oath as freshman, more than 40,000 Americans have been murdered with guns.
“That’s nearly as many Americans as we lost in combat during the entire Vietnam War.
“Congress’s failure to act is Washington at its worst – but I would not be fighting for change if I didn’t believe we could win.
“In fact, I believe we will win – sooner or later. Because I believe in all of you.
“Your generation – more than any other, at least since the 1960s – is reshaping society in fundamental ways by making your values known and your voices heard.
“I’ve seen how powerful that can be. In New York, the voices of young people – some of them too young to vote – played a crucial role in passing a law legalizing same-sex marriage and it passed with bi-partisan support.
“Here in Ohio, the son of a Republican senator – who had the courage to come out – led his father to change his view of gay marriage and it gave him the courage to speak out.
“Individual courage – combined with collective action and teamwork – changes the world.
“Nine years ago, voters here in Ohio passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. But because so many young people are speaking up and organizing – make no mistake: its days are numbered.
“When all of you return for your 10-year reunion – and hopefully well before – that amendment will belong to history’s scrap heap.
“I can already hear some of the conversations at that reunion.
“Some of you may be talking about how you worked on the campaign that elected our first woman president.
“Some of you may be talking about how you’ve helped pioneer sustainability initiatives that are allowing us to win the battle against climate change – which we are working hard to do in New York City.
“Some of you may be talking about the tech companies you’ve started or are working for – hopefully in New York City – which are changing the way we live our lives.
“Some of you may be talking about the schools you work in that are erasing the achievement gap that has existed for far too long between racial and ethnic groups – and I’m glad to report we’ve made important progress on that in New York City.
“Some of you may be talking about diseases you have helped to eradicate, something that I’ve strongly supported through my philanthropy.
“And I predict that all of you will be talking about how – no matter how far off the beaten path your life’s trajectory has taken you the Kenyon Development Office is still able to get its fundraising letters to you!
“But whatever path you choose – and whether it leads you to a big city or a small town, make no mistake: the future of the country is in your hands. We are counting on you.
“So I will leave you with the words I tell everyone I hire: Don’t screw it up.
“Now, before I close, let me just say: I know that today’s job market is not easy. Don’t get discouraged. Persistence always pays off, sooner or later.
“If you are willing to work hard, you will find work. And if you continue to work hard, you will find opportunities that are rewarding.
“I can only tell you that I came from a family with no connections and no contacts.
“I wrote letters. I called. I asked friends to keep their ears open for opportunities.
“That’s probably why today, if I interview a recent college grad who tells me he or she spent the summer curing cancer, bringing peace to the Middle East, and writing the Great American Novel – I’m impressed.
“But I’m more likely to hire the person who spent his or her summer working days, nights, and weekends for an auto-body shop or a construction company in order to pay tuition or help with family bills.
“There is no substitute for hard work in this life – and if you’re willing to do it, if you’re eager to do it, you’ll do just fine.
“So tonight, when it gets to be Cove o’clock, have one last Mac and Cheese, then get to work.
“And in the months and years ahead – when life isn’t all cookie pies, hash brown triangles, and market dogs – remember:
“Keep learning, live courageously, work harder than everyone else and if you do, the fruits of your labor will be as plentiful and bountiful as Gourd-zilla!
“Congratulations – and best of luck!”