We French can do a pretty good line in talking ourselves down. Too often we indulge in defeatism and self-denigration. Our elites — those with the influence and the technical expertise to move the country forward, and the people upward — instead broadcast pessimism and resignation. Those who have the influence and the technical expertise to make the case for the reforms that are essential if the nation is to solve its social and economic crises — and set the short-term sacrifices against the long term benefits — have shied away from their responsibility.
我們法國人很擅長貶低自己。我們常常沉迷于失敗主義和自我貶損的論調。我們的精英們具備推動國家前進、激勵國民上進所需的影響力和專業能力，卻在傳播悲觀主義和聽天由命。以他們的影響力和專業能力，他們可以倡導必要的改革——法國要解決社會及經濟危機就必須進行改革——并且為長遠利益做出短期犧牲，可是他們卻逃避自己的責任。
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