I do not choose to be a common person.

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security.

I do not wish to be a kept citizen,

humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk,

to dream and to build,

to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;

I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence;

the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia.

I will not trade my freedom for beneficence

nor my dignity for a handout.

I will never cower before any master

nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid;

to think and act for myself;

to enjoy the benefit of my creations;

and to face the world boldly and say:

“This, with God’s help, I have done.”

我不愿做一个平庸普通人。

只要力所能及，我有权活出不凡。

我追寻机遇，而非安稳；

我不愿做依附国家供养的人，

在庇护中变得卑微、麻木。

我甘愿承担审慎考量过的风险，

心怀梦想、躬身创造，

坦然经历失败，也全力奔赴成功。

我绝不拿奋斗的动力换取施舍；

比起毫无波澜的安稳度日，我更偏爱充满挑战的人生；

比起乌托邦式死气沉沉的平静，我更享受达成目标的热血激荡。

我不会用自由换取恩惠，

更不会用尊严换取救济。

我永不在强权面前畏缩，

绝不向任何胁迫低头。

挺直脊梁、骄傲无畏，是我与生俱来的底色；

独立思考、自主行动，独享自己创造的一切成果；

终有一日，我将坦荡面向世界，自豪宣告：

“承蒙上天眷顾，这一切，由我亲手铸就。”