In fact, they can have powerful consequences. This is obviously the case with President Barack Obama’s recent address to the Muslim world in Cairo, because – mere coincidence or excellent timing? – things in the Middle East have been in flux ever since.
柏林——人们经常低估伟大的演讲，认为那不过是空话而已。实际上，这些话可以产生巨大的影响。巴拉克·奥巴马总统不久前在开罗对穆斯林世界的讲话显然就属于此类（无论是纯属巧合还是精心选择的时机），因为中东局势从此就变得动荡不安。