獲諾貝爾文學(xué)獎(jiǎng)的演說(shuō)辭

Nobel Prize Address for Literature

溫斯頓·倫納德·斯賓塞·丘吉爾 / Winston L. S. Churchill 溫斯頓·倫納德·斯賓塞·丘吉爾（1874—1965），英國(guó)傳記作家、歷史學(xué)家和政治家，生于牛津附近的布萊尼姆宮。1893年考入桑德斯特陸軍軍官學(xué)校，1895年，以少尉軍銜編入皇家第四騎兵團(tuán)。1945年，在反法西斯勝利前夕，因保守黨在大選中失敗，丘吉爾失去首相職位。其后，他用6年時(shí)間完成了六卷本《第二次世界大戰(zhàn)回憶錄》。1951年，保守黨在選舉中獲勝，丘吉爾77歲高齡再次出任首相。1955年因年事高辭職退休，專(zhuān)心撰寫(xiě)四卷本《英語(yǔ)民族史》。1965年1月因腦溢血辭世。

Pre-reading Activities

Before you read this article, think over the questions below.

What do you know about Winston Churchill as a British prime minister or a winner of Nobel Prize？ Do you know anything about his personality？

The roll on which my name has been inscribed represents much that is outstanding in the world’s literature of the twentieth century. The judgment of the Swedish Academy is accepted as impartial, authoritative and sincere throughout the civilized world. I am proud but also awestruck at your decision to include me. I do hope you are right. I feel we are both running a considerable risk, and that I do not deserve it. But I shall have no misgivings if you have none.

Since Alfred Nobel died in 1896 we have entered an age of storm and tragedy. The power of man has grown in every sphere except over himself. Never in the field of action have events seemed so harshly to dwarf personalities. Rarely in history have brutal facts so dominated thought or has such a widespread individual virtue found so dim a collective focus. The fearful question confronts us: Have our problems got beyond our control? Undoubtedly we are passing through a phase where this may be so. Well may we humble ourselves and seek for guidance and mercy.

We in Europe and the western world who have planned for health and social security, who have marveled at the triumphs of medicine and science, and who have aimed at justice and freedom for all, have nevertheless been witnesses of famine, misery, cruelty and destruction before which pale the deeds of Attila and Janghiz Khan. And we who, first in the League of Nations and now in the United Nations, have attempted to give an abiding foundation to the peace of which men have dreamed so long, have lived to see a world marred by cleavages and threatened by discords even graver and more violent than those which convulsed Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire.

It is upon this dark background that we can appreciate the majesty and hope which inspired the conception of Alfred Nobel. He has left behind him a bright and enduring beam of culture, of purpose, and of inspiration to a generation which stands in sore need. This world-famous institution points a true path for us to follow. Let us, therefore, confront the clatter and rigidity we see around us with tolerance, variety and calm.

The world looks with admiration and indeed with comfort to Scandinavia, where three countries, without sacrificing their sovereignty, live united in their thought, in their economic practice, and in their healthy way of life. From such fountains new and brighter opportunities may come to all mankind. These are, I believe, the sentiments which may animate those whom the Nobel Foundation elects to honor, in the sure knowledge that they will thus be respecting the ideals and wishes of its illustrious founder.