Obama, Barack, 1961- -- Inauguration, 2009; Presidents -- United States -- Inaugural addresses
They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle
us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its
prudent use, our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force
of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.
We are the keepers of this legacy.
Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that
demand even greater effort, even greater cooperation and understanding
between nations.
We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to is people, and forge a hard earned
peace in Afghanistan.
With old friends and former foes we will work tirelessly to lessen the
nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet.
We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense,
and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and
slaughtering innocents, we say to you now, that our spirit is stronger,
and cannot be broken.
You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you!
[long pause for applause]
For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness.
We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and
non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every
end of this Earth, and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war
and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger, and more
united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass,
that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve, that as the world grows smaller,
our common humanity shall reveal itself, and that America must play its role
in ushering in a new era of peace.
To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and
mutual respect.
To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their
societies' ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you
can build, not what you destroy.
[pause for applause]
To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit, and the silencing
of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will
extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.
[pause for applause]
To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your
farms flourish and let clean waters flow, to nourish starved bodies, and feed
hungry minds, and to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we
say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our
borders, nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect.
For the world has changed, and we much change with it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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