This week, I traveled to Chicago to deliver my final farewell address to the nation, following in the tradition of Presidents before me. It was an opportunity to say thank you. Whether we've seen eye-to-eye or rarely agreed at all, my conversations with you, the American people -- in living rooms and schools; at farms and on factory floors; at diners and on distant military outposts -- are what have kept me honest, kept me inspired, and kept me going. Every day, I learned from you. You made me a better President, and you made me a better man. 本周，我前往芝加哥向全国发表我的告别演说，沿袭了历任总统的传统。这是一次表达感谢的机会。无论我们是否意见一致，我与你们——美国人民——的对话，在客厅和学校里，在农场和工厂车间里，在餐厅和遥远的军事前哨里，始终是我保持诚实、获取灵感、继续前行的动力。每一天，我都从你们身上学习。你们让我成为了一个更好的总统，也让我成为了一个更好的人。
Over the course of these eight years, I have seen the goodness, the resilience, and the hope of the American people. I've seen neighbors looking out for each other as we rescued our economy from the worst crisis of our lifetimes. I've hugged cancer survivors who finally know the security of affordable health care. I've seen communities like Joplin rebuild from disaster, and cities like Boston show the world that no terrorist will ever break the American spirit. 在这八年里，我看到了美国人民的善良、坚韧与希望。我看到邻居们在我们将经济从有生以来最严重的危机中拯救出来时互相扶持。我拥抱过终于享受到平价医疗保障的癌症幸存者。我看到像乔普林这样的社区从灾难中重建，像波士顿这样的城市向世界证明没有任何恐怖分子能击垮美国精神。
I've seen the hopeful faces of young graduates and our newest military officers. I've mourned with grieving families searching for answers, and found grace in a Charleston church. I've seen our scientists help a paralyzed man regain his sense of touch, and our wounded warriors walk again. I've seen our doctors and volunteers rebuild after earthquakes and stop pandemics in their tracks. I've learned from students who are building robots and curing diseases and who will change the world in ways we can't even imagine. 我看到了年轻毕业生和我们最新一批军官充满希望的脸庞。我与悲痛中寻求答案的家庭一同哀悼，在查尔斯顿的教堂中找到了恩典。我看到我们的科学家帮助一位瘫痪男子重获触觉，我们受伤的战士重新站了起来。我看到我们的医生和志愿者在地震后重建家园，在流行病蔓延时将其遏制。我从学生们身上学到了很多，他们制造机器人、攻克疾病，将以我们无法想象的方式改变世界。
I've seen the youngest of children remind us of our obligations to care for our refugees, to work in peace, and above all to look out for each other. 我看到最年幼的孩子们提醒我们，我们有义务关爱难民、为和平而努力，最重要的是彼此照顾。
That's what's possible when we come together in the hard, slow, sometimes frustrating, but always vital work of self-government. But we can't take our democracy for granted. All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the work of citizenship. Not just when there's an election, not just when our own narrow interest is at stake, but over the full span of a lifetime. If you're tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life. If something needs fixing, lace up your shoes and do some organizing. 当我们共同投身于自治这项艰难、缓慢、有时令人沮丧但始终至关重要的工作时，这一切都是可能的。但我们不能将民主视为理所当然。我们所有人，无论党派，都应全身心投入公民的事业。不仅仅是在选举期间，不仅仅是当我们自身的狭隘利益受到威胁时，而应贯穿我们的一生。如果你厌倦了在互联网上与陌生人争论，试着在现实生活中与一个人交谈。如果有什么需要修复的，系好鞋带，去做一些组织工作。
If you're disappointed by your elected officials, then grab a clipboard, get some signatures, and run for office yourself. 如果你对你选出的官员感到失望，那就拿起剪贴板，收集一些签名，自己去竞选公职。
Our success depends on our participation, regardless of which way the pendulum of power swings. It falls on each of us to be guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we've been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences, we all share the same proud title: Citizen. 我们的成功取决于我们的参与，无论权力的钟摆向哪个方向摆动。我们每个人都有责任成为民主的守护者；承担起我们被赋予的这一令人振奋的使命，不断努力改善我们这个伟大的国家。因为尽管我们外表各异，但我们都拥有同一个骄傲的身份：公民。
It has been the honor of my life to serve you as President. Eight years later, I am even more optimistic about our country's promise. And I look forward to working along your side, as a citizen, for all my days that remain. 能以总统身份为你们服务，是我一生的荣耀。八年后，我对我们国家的前景更加乐观。我期待着在余下的岁月里，作为一名公民，与你们并肩努力。
Thanks, everybody. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. 谢谢大家。上帝保佑你们，上帝保佑美利坚合众国。
