一條浩浩蕩蕩的長江大河,有時流到很寬闊的境界,平原無際,一瀉萬里。有時流到很逼狹的境界,兩岸叢山疊嶺,絕壁斷崖,江河流于其間,回環(huán)曲折,極其險峻。民族生命的進程,其經(jīng)歷亦復如是。
人類在歷史上的生活正如旅行一樣。旅途上的征人所經(jīng)過的地方,有時是坦蕩平原,有時是崎嶇險路。老于旅途的人,走到平坦的地方,固是高高興興地向前走,走到崎嶇的境界,愈是奇趣橫生,覺得在此奇絕壯絕的境界,愈能感到一種冒險的美趣。
中華民族現(xiàn)在所逢的史路,是一段崎嶇險阻的道路。在這一段道路上,實在亦有一種奇絕壯絕的景致,使我們經(jīng)過這段道路的人,感到一種壯美的趣味。但這種壯美的趣味,沒有雄健的精神是不能夠感覺到的。
我們的揚子江、黃河,可以代表我們的民族精神,揚子江及黃河遇見沙漠、遇見山峽都是浩浩蕩蕩地往前流過去,以成其濁流滾滾、一瀉萬里的魄勢。目前的艱難境界,哪能阻抑我們民族生命的前進?我們應(yīng)該拿出雄健的精神,高唱著進行的曲調(diào),在這悲壯歌聲中,走過這崎嶇險阻的道路。要知在艱難的國運中建造國家,亦是人生最有趣味的事
專家譯文:
National Crisis vs Heroic Nation
The course of history is never smooth. It is sometimes beset with difficulties and obstacles and nothing short of a heroic spirit can help surmount them.
A mighty long river sometimes flows through a broad section with plains lying boundless on either side, its waters rolling on non-stop for thousands upon thousands of miles. Sometimes it comes up against a narrow section flanked by high mountains and steep cliffs, winding through a course with many a perilous twist and turn. A nation, in the course of its development, fares likewise.
The historical course of man’s life is just like a journey. A traveler on a long journey passes through now a broad, level plain, now a rugged, hazardous road. While a determined traveler cheerfully continues his journey upon reaching a safe and smooth place, he finds it still more fascinating to come to a rugged place, the enormously magnificent spectacle of which, he feels, is better able to generate in him a wonderful sensation of adventure.
The Chinese nation is now confronted with a rugged and dangerous section of its historical course. Nevertheless, there is also in this section a spectacle of enormous magnificence that inspires in us passers-by a delightful sensation of splendor. And this delightful sensation, however, can only be shared by those with a heroic spirit.
The Yangtse River and the yellow river are both symbolic of our national spirit. The two mighty rivers negotiate deserts and gorges until their turbid torrents surge forward with irresistible force. The present national crisis can never obstruct the advance of our national life. Let us brace up our spirits and march through this rugged, dangerous road to the tune of our solemn, stirring songs. The greatest joy of life, mind you, is to build up our country during its most difficult days.