03 All Men Are Created Equal A人生来平等A
——亚伯拉罕·林肯在葛底斯堡的演说
Abraham Lincoln，16th President of the USA
Gettysburg National Cemetery, November 19th，1863
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
八十七年以前，我们的祖先在这片大陆上建立了一个国家，它起源于自由，致力于一种理念，即所有人都是生来平等的。
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war.
当前，我们正在进行一场巨大的内战，我们受到考验，究竟这个国家，或任何一个有这种主张和这种信仰的国家，是否能长久存在。
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
我们聚集到这里，开辟出那个战场上的一小部分土地作为为国家的生存而牺牲自己生命的人的永久眠息之所。我们这样做，是十分合情合理的。
But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground.
可是，就更深一层意义而言，我们是无法献出这片土地的——无法使它成为圣地——也不能把它变为人们的景仰之所。
conceive[kənˈsiːv]v.怀孕；构思；以为；持有
例 It was then that I conceived the notion of running away.
就在那时我产生了逃跑的念头。
dedicate[ˈdedɪkeɪt]v.致力；献身；题献
例 She dedicated her life to helping the poor.
她毕生致力于帮助穷人。
proposition[prɒpəˈzɪʃ（ə）n]n.提议，建议；命题
例 The proposition is so clear that it needs no explanation.
观点十分明确，无须解释。
endure[ɪnˈdjʊə]v.忍耐；容忍
例 I can’t endure that woman.
我对那个女人忍无可忍。
altogether[ɔltəˈgɛðɚ]adv.完全地；总共；总而言之
例 I don’t altogether agree with you.
我并不完全同意你的意见。
proper[ˈprɒpə]adj.适当的，专属的，高尚的
例 The reels of film were not in the proper order.
电影胶片卷盘的顺序弄错了。
consecrate[ˈkɒnsɪkreɪt]v.供神用，使神圣，奉献……
例 He was consecrated Archbishop last year.
他于去年就任大主教之圣职。
hallow[ˈhæləʊ]v.供神用，使神圣，奉献……
例 Dedicate it, consecrate it, hallow it, and then God will bless it.
把它献给神，当作祭物分别为圣献给神，然后，神就赐福给你了。
①Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
这个句子中有两个结构“Four score and seven years”和“be dedicated to sth.”，表示“87年”和“献身于，致力于……”。Score本身有“二十”的意思。
例……three score and ten, i.e.70
七十
China will continue to be dedicated to international cooperation in this area.
中国将继续致力于加强在该领域的国际合作。
②Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.
这个句子中有一个结构“be engaged in sth.”，表示“参加……”。同义词组还有be involved in……。
例 I engaged him in conversation.
我让他加入了谈话。
1.To be is to do！
活着就是奋斗！
2.Sometimes you have to be your own hero.
有时候，你必须做自己的英雄。
3.Have the faith for a better tomorrow.
要相信明天会更好！
4.Curiosity killed the cat.
好奇会惹祸。（俚语）
5.They are really childhood sweethearts.
他们真是青梅竹马。