Address on Declaration of War against Germany

對德宣戰講辭
September 3, 1939
1939 年 9 月 3 日

In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our history, I send to every household of my peoples,
both at home and overseas, this message, spoken with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as
if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself.
For the second time in the lives of most of us, we are at war. Over and over again, we have tried to
find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But
it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our allies, to meet the
challenge of a principle which, if it were to prevail, would be fatal to any civilised order in the world.
It is the principle which permits a state, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its treaties and
its solemn pledges; which sanctions the use of force, or threat of force, against the sovereignty and
independence of other states. Such a principle, stripped of all disguise, is surely the mere primitive
doctrine that might is right; and if this principle were established throughout the world, the freedom
of our own country and of the whole British Commonwealth of Nations would be in danger. But far
more than this – the peoples of the world would be kept in the bondage of fear, and all hopes of settled
peace and of the security of justice and liberty among nations would be ended.
This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and
of the world’s order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge.
It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who
will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm, firm, and united in this time of trial. The
task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield.
But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God. If one and
all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with
God’s help, we shall prevail.
May God bless and keep us all.
 在這個重大時刻，或許是最能決定我們歷史命運的時刻，我要向每個家庭的每
一個人，無論你們身在國內或海外，傳遞這項訊息。我要以同等的關切向每一個人
演說，彷彿我可以跨過各位的家門，親自向各位說話一樣。

在我們絕大多數人的人生中，這是第二次遭遇戰禍。一次又一次，我們不斷尋
求以和平方式解決我們與當前敵人的歧見。然而，一切都徒勞無功。我們被迫加入
這場衝突。因為我們與我們的盟國必須面對一項原則的挑戰，如果這項原則獲勝，
那麼全世界的文明秩序將會就此終止。

這是一項任由自私追求權力之國家無視條約與神聖誓言的原則；它允許以武力
或武力威脅來打擊其他國家的主權與獨立。一旦除去所有的偽裝，這項原則就純粹
只是權力即公理的原始教條；如果這項原則可以放之四海皆準，則我們的國家與所
有大英國協國家的自由都將遭受危險。更有甚者——全世界的民眾都將遭受恐懼
的奴役，國與國之間穩定和平與維持正義與自由的希望也將破滅。

我們面對的是終極的爭議。為了我們珍惜的一切，也為了世界的秩序與和平，
無法想像我們能拒絕面對這項挑戰。

為了此一崇高目的，我現在要呼籲國內民眾與海外人民，共同為我們的宗旨而
奮鬥。我要求大家在這個充滿試煉的時刻保持冷靜、堅定與團結。這項任務將是艱
困的，前方將是一片陰暗，而戰爭不再只局限於戰場。但當我們看到正確的事時，
我們只能做正確的事，並且以崇敬的心將我們的宗旨獻給上帝。如果我們所有的人
都能決心堅守正確的方向，隨時準備做出任何必要的付出或犧牲，那麼在上帝幫助
下，我們必能獲得勝利。

願上帝祝福與保護我們所有的人。