BOOK I
book (巻) [名] a set of sheets of paper, parchment, or similar materials that are fastened together to hinge at one side
第一巻

 I mean to inquire if, in the civil order, there can be any sure and legitimate rule of administration, men being taken as they are and laws as they might be.
mean to (しようとする) [動] intend to
inquire (調べる) [動] ask about
civil order (市民社会) [名] a society of citizens
sure (確実な) [形] certain
legitimate (合法的な) [形] lawful
rule (ルール) [名] a principle or regulation governing conduct, action, procedure, arrangement, etc.
administration (統治) [名] the management of a country's affairs
men (人間) [名] an adult male human being
law (法律) [名] a rule of conduct or procedure established by custom, agreement, or authority
might (ありうべき) [助] be possible or likely
私が調べようとしているのは、市民社会において、人間をあるがままに、法律をありうべき姿として捉えた場合、確実で合法的な統治のルールが存在するかどうかである。
In this inquiry I shall endeavour always to unite what right sanctions with what is prescribed by interest, in order that justice and utility may in no case be divided.
inquiry (探求) [名] an investigation or examination
endeavour (努力する) [動] try hard to do or achieve something
unite (結びつける) [動] join or combine
right (権利) [名] a moral or legal entitlement to have or do something
sanction (認める) [動] give official permission or approval for
interest (利益) [名] money paid regularly at a particular rate for the use of money lent, or for delaying the repayment of a debt
prescribe (規定する) [動] lay down authoritatively; impose
justice (正義) [名] just behaviour or treatment
utility (有用性) [名] the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial
divide (分断する) [動] separate or be separated into parts
この探求において、私は正義と有用性が決して分断されないように、権利が認めるものと利益によって規定されるものを常に結びつけるよう努力するつもりである。

 I enter upon my task without proving the importance of the subject I shall be asked if I am a prince or a legislator, to write on politics.
enter upon (取り掛かる) [動] begin to deal with
task (仕事) [名] a piece of work to be done
prove (証明する) [動] to show or make clear the truth or existence of
importance (重要性) [名] the state or quality of being important
subject (主題) [名] the main topic of a text or speech
ask (尋ねる) [動] to put a question to
prince (王子) [名] a male member of a royal family
legislator (立法者) [名] a person who makes laws
politics (政治) [名] the activities associated with the governance of a country or area
私は、私が王子や立法者であるかどうかを尋ねられるであろう主題の重要性を証明することなく、私の仕事に取り掛かる。
I answer that I am neither, and that is why I do so.
answer (答える) [動] say or write something in reply
neither (どちらでもない) [限] not either of two people or things
that is why (それが理由である) [句] that is the reason why
私はどちらでもないと答える、そしてそれが私がそうする理由である。
If I were a prince or a legislator, I should not waste time in saying what wants doing;
waste (無駄にする) [動] use or expend carelessly, extravagantly, or to no purpose
time (時間) [名] the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole
say (言う) [動] express (something) in words
もし私が王子や立法者であったら、何をすべきかを言うのに時間を無駄にしないだろう。
I should do it, or hold my peace.
do (する) [動] perform, execute, or accomplish
hold one's peace (黙っている) [動] remain silent
私はそれをするか、黙っているだろう。

 As I was born a citizen of a free State, and a member of the Sovereign, I feel that, however feeble the influence my voice can have on public affairs, the right of voting on them makes it my duty to study them: and I am happy, when I reflect upon governments, to find my inquiries always furnish me with new reasons for loving that of my own country.
citizen (市民) [名] a person who is a member of a particular country
free (自由な) [形] not under the control or in the power of another; able to act or be done as one wishes
State (国家) [名] a politically organized body of people usually occupying a definite territory
member (一員) [名] a person who belongs to a group or an organization
Sovereign (主権者) [名] a supreme ruler
feel (感じる) [動] be aware of (something) through touch
feeble (弱い) [形] lacking physical strength
influence (影響) [名] the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself
voice (声) [名] the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song
public affairs (公務) [名] the business of government
voting (投票) [名] the expression of a choice between two or more candidates or courses of action
duty (義務) [名] a moral or legal obligation
study (研究) [動] read and understand something
happy (嬉しい) [形] feeling or showing pleasure or contentment
reflect (考える) [動] think carefully about (something)
furnish (提供する) [動] supply or provide (something)
reason (理由) [名] a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event
love (愛する) [動] feel a deep or constant affection for (someone)
私は自由な国家の市民であり、主権者の一員として生まれたので、私の声が公務に及ぼす影響がどれほど弱くても、それらに投票する権利は、それらを研究する義務を負わせていると感じている。そして、私が政府について考えるとき、私の探求が常に私の国のそれを愛するための新しい理由を私に提供してくれることを発見できることを嬉しく思う。