02 Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
帕特里克•亨利：不自由，毋宁死

帕特里克•亨利（Patrick Henry，1736-1799）是美国独立革命时代的政治人物，为美国的开国元老之一，曾2次出任弗吉尼亚州州长。1775年3月23日，他在弗吉尼亚州里士满的圣约翰教堂发表了这篇著名的《不自由，毋宁死》演讲。

这篇演讲在美国革命的文献史上占有重要的一页，当时，北美殖民地正处于主战和主和的抉择之际，而帕特里克•亨利代表了主战派的观点。他在这场演讲中，以客观的事实驳斥主和派，说明独立战争的无可避免，并呼吁人们为自由而战。

在这篇演讲发表不到1个月之后，即4月19日，美国独立战争（1775-1783）的第一枪终于打响。帕特里克•亨利这句“Give me liberty or give me death”让美国殖民地人民热血澎湃，象征了独立战争的精神与勇气。

独立战争整整持续了8年又4个多月，美国以寡敌众，赢得胜利，从而带动了拉丁美洲殖民地的独立风潮，影响力持续到拉丁美洲独立战争（1808-1826）。

另外，美国独立战争也间接引发了法国大革命（1789-1799）。“不自由，毋宁死”这句激动人心的口号，也是法国大革命当时的流行口号。

Speaker 美国革命时期的演说家和政治家帕特里克･亨利（Patrick Henry, 1736-1799）

Time1775 年3月23日

Place 弗吉尼亚州里士满圣约翰教堂（St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia）

▣全篇收录

MP3-3

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony.

The questing before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that sirentill she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solacethemselves and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet.

Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comportswith those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort.

对于刚刚在议会上发言的杰出人士们，我比谁都更钦佩他们的爱国情操和能力。但每个人的见解各有不同，我也会坦诚直言，如果我的意见和他们相左，请见谅，我并无冒犯之意，而且现在也不是讲究客套的时候。

我们在这议会上所提出的问题，攸关国家的存亡时刻。就我个人来看，我认为这是一个不折不扣的自由与奴役的问题。这个问题事关重大，大家应该尽量各抒己见，这样我们才能够厘清真相，也才不会辜负上帝与祖国所赋予我们的重大责任。此时此刻，如果因为害怕冒犯别人而保持沉默，我认为这无异于是背叛了自己的国家，也是违背了上帝、违背了这位尘世之上的王。

议长先生，人类天性就倾向于被美好的假象所迷惑。我们倾向于蒙住眼睛、不愿正视痛苦的现实，甘愿被海妖的歌声所迷惑、落入圈套。在为自由艰苦奋斗之际，这是明智之举吗？对于如此攸关世间自由的事情，我们甘愿成为视而不见、充耳不闻的人吗？就我来说，无论内心会承受多少痛苦，我都想了解事实的真相，明白最坏的情况，然后为之做好准备。

我只有一盏明灯可以指示前路，这盏明灯就是经验，我只能依据过去的经验来判断未来。按照过去的经验来看，我想知道的是，这10年来，英国政府的所作所为到底带来了什么希望，足以让各位和议会感到欣慰？难道是他们最近接受我们请愿书时，所露出的那种狡诈的微笑？各位，别上当了，那不过是笑里藏刀。

我们不要被人偷偷卖掉了都还不知道！且让我们自问：他们接受我们的请愿书时，一副态度亲切的样子，但一方面却又在我们的土地和水域上大规模地备战，这两者如何能相称？难道是因为出于对我们的爱护与善意，所以要动用到战舰和军队吗？难道因为我们做了不愿和解的表态，所以他们要用武力来挽回我们的心吗？诸位，我们不要再自欺欺人了，那些是战争和征服的工具，是英王最后要拿出来的手段。

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I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.

And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted?

Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostratedourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne! In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.

各位，我请问你们，如果他们的目的不是要逼我们归顺，那为什么要部署军队？各位能指出他们还有什么其他可能的动机吗？在北美这一带，大英帝国还有什么敌人需要他们这样动用海陆军队吗？各位，没有其他的敌人了，他们完全是针对我们而来的，这里不可能有其他的敌人。他们是派来把我们套紧的锁链，英国政府长久以来就一直想把我们套牢。

我们要如何来对抗他们？我们还要靠辩论吗？各位，我们为此已经争吵10年了，我们还能为这个议题提出什么新的观点吗？没有什么新的观点了，我们能谈的都谈了，什么结果都没有。难道我们还要苦苦地哀求下去吗？我们还有什么方法没用过吗？

各位，我请求你们，不要再自欺欺人了。为了阻止这场即将来临的大风暴，我们能做的都做了。我们请愿过，我们抗议过，我们乞求过。我们跪在英王的御座面前，恳请他出面制止国会和内阁的暴行，但他对我们的请愿不屑一顾，我们的抗议反而换来了更多的镇压和侮辱。他们对我们的恳求置之不理，把我们从御座旁边一脚踢开。我们做的这些努力全都是白费的，我们还能沉迷于虚无缥缈的和平愿望之中吗？

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There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free——if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending——if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained——we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us!

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinelyon our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.

Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.

There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable——and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuatethe matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace——but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

已经不再有任何希望了。如果我们想获得自由——如果我们想维护那些我们为之奋斗已久的神圣权利——如果我们不愿意就这样放弃我们长久以来所献身的伟大斗争，我们曾发誓不达这光荣的目标誓不罢手——那我们就必须为之而战！诸位，让我再说一次，我们必须为之而战！我们唯一能做的，就是诉诸武力，并求助于万邦之主的上帝。

各位，他们说我们很弱小，不可能打赢这么强大的敌人。那我们何时才要强大起来？下周，还是明年？是不是要等到我们都缴械了，英国士兵可以随意驻扎我们的民房时，我们才要强大起来？我们这样犹犹豫豫、迟迟不行动，是否就会强大起来？难道我们高枕而卧，抱着虚妄不实的愿望，等到敌人捆住了我们的手脚，我们就能找到有效的御敌之策？

各位，只要我们善加运用上帝所赋予的天赐力量，我们就不是弱者。一旦数百万的人民站在自己的土地上，为神圣的自由而战，那么任何敌人都无法征服我们。

此外，各位，我们也不是孤军奋战，公正的上帝主宰着各国的命运，他将找来盟友一齐为我们而战。各位，战争的胜利并非只属于强者，也属于那些机警、主动和勇敢的人们。更何况，各位，我们已经别无选择了，就算我们软弱想退缩，我们现在也骑虎难下了。

我们已经没有退路了，除非我们甘愿投降、甘愿被奴役！用来囚禁我们的枷锁已经打造好了！波士顿的平原上已经听得到锒锒铛铛的镣铐声了，这场战争已经无可避免了——就让我们迎战吧！各位，我再说一次，就让我们来迎战吧！

各位，粉饰太平是没有用的。各位先生可以高喊“和平”——但事实上根本是毫无和平可言，因为战争已经开打了！很快地，北风就会带来作战的铿锵声响！我们的弟兄们已经奔赴战场了！我们还站在这里做什么？各位心里头所期待的到底是什么？会得到的又是什么？生命就如此可贵，和平就如此珍贵，所以甘愿被套上枷锁、甘愿被奴役？全能的上帝，请不要让这种事发生！我不知道别人会怎么做，但对我来说，不自由，毋宁死！