又中又英——the powers of American example.

　　Joe Biden, who was sworn in last week as the 46th president of the United States, used an expression in his inaugural speech that I really like. He was not the first American leader to use the expression. Former president Bill Clinton used it in August 2008 when he urged Americans to vote for Barack Obama. An inaugural speech is the first speech a person gives when starting a new and important job, such as president or prime minister. It is the custom of newly-elected US presidents to give an inaugural speech.
　　The expression Biden used during his inaugural speech was “And we’ll lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example”. Clinton used the same expression in a different way in 2008 when he asked Americans to support Obama. He said “People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power”. This expression can be explained in many ways. To explain it clearly, the quote needs to be separated into two parts. The part “example of our power” is easier to understand. It means the military and economic power of the US. Biden meant the US should not only use its military and economic power to lead the world. Many would consider that as bullying.
　　Biden said the power of American example was a better way to lead the world. The powers of American example are many. Electing Kamala Harris, a woman whose is also half black and half Indian, as vice president is a powerful example of American democracy. Other powers of American example are its freedoms, its system that allows immigrants of all races to become Americans, and its ability to unite and have a peaceful transfer of power despite being a politically divided country. When Clinton used the quote, he meant people all over the world are more impressed by America’s democracy, freedoms, defence of human rights, and its ability to self-reflect than by its military power.
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　　上星期宣誓就任第四十六届总统的拜登，在其就职演说（inaugural speech）中用了一个习语，我甚为喜欢。他不是首位用这个习语的美国领袖，前总统克林顿在二○○八年，呼吁美国人投票给奥巴马时，也用过这个习语。An inaugural speech即就职演说，是在一个人担任重要一职，例如总统或首相，履新时所发表的第一篇演讲。新当选的美国总统发表就职演说（inaugural speech）是个惯例。
　　拜登在其就职演说（inaugural speech）上所用的习语是“And we’ll lead not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example”（我们将领头，不仅仅是以力量为榜样，更是以榜样为力量）。克林顿二○○八年促请美国人支持奥巴马时，亦用了相同的习语，只是说法不同，他说的是“People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power”（世界各地的人总是更钦佩我们作榜样的力量，多于我们以力量作榜样）。这个习语可以有不同的解法，要清晰地解说，这句话需要分成两部份。“Example of our power”这一部份较易理解，意思就是美国的军力和经济实力。拜登的意思是，美国不应单以其军事和经济力量带领全球——许多人会认为那是一种霸权。
　　拜登说the power of American example是领导全球更好的方式。美国榜样的力量（the powers of American example）有许多，选出一半黑人、一半印度裔的女性贺锦丽为副总统，就是美国民主一个有力的示范。另一些具影响力的美国榜样（powers of American example）是它的自由，它的制度容许所有种族的新移民成为美国人，还有它得以团结的力量，即使是一个政见分歧的国家，仍能有和平的权力交接。当克林顿说这句话时，他的意思是世界各地的人是钦佩美国的民主、自由、捍衞人权，以至其自省的能力，更甚于慑服在其军事力量之下。中译：七刻
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Michael Chugani 褚简宁