奥巴马每周电视讲话：总统呼吁继承9.11曾经失去的财富（03）

In the face of terrorism, how we respond matters.

面对恐怖主义，我们有办法应对。

We cannot give in to those who would divide us.

我们不能屈服于图谋分裂我们的人。

We cannot react in ways that erode¹ the fabric² of our society.

我们不能以腐蚀我们社会组织的方式行动。

Because it's our diversity, our welcoming of all talent, our treating of everybody fairly— no matter their race, gender³, ethnicity, or faith

由于我们的多元化、广纳贤才、公平对待每个人，而无论其种族、性别、民族或信仰，

that's part of what makes our country great.

这些才使我们的国家如此的伟大。

It's what makes us resilient.

这使我们坚韧不拔。

And if we stay true to those values, we'll uphold the legacy⁴ of those we've lost, and keep our nation strong and free.

如果我们忠于这些价值观，继承我们曾经失去的财富，美国就能保持强大和自由。

God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

上帝祝福你，上帝保佑美利坚合众国。

1 erode   

v.侵蚀，腐蚀，使...减少、减弱或消失

参考例句：

• Once exposed,soil is quickly eroded by wind and rain.一旦暴露在外，土壤很快就会被风雨侵蚀。
• Competition in the financial marketplace has eroded profits.金融市场的竞争降低了利润。

2 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。

3 gender   

n.（生理上的）性，（名词、代词等的）性

参考例句：

• French differs from English in having gender for all nouns.法语不同于英语，所有的名词都有性。
• Women are sometimes denied opportunities solely because of their gender.妇女有时仅仅因为性别而无法获得种种机会。

4 legacy   

n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西

参考例句：

• They are the most precious cultural legacy our forefathers left.它们是我们祖先留下来的最宝贵的文化遗产。
• He thinks the legacy is a gift from the Gods.他认为这笔遗产是天赐之物。