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在英国最古老的建筑物威斯敏斯特教堂旁边,矗立着一块墓碑,上面刻着一段非常著名的话:
当我年轻的时候,我梦想改变这个世界;
当我成熟以后,我发现我不能够改变这个世界,我将目光缩短了些,决定只改变我的国家;
当我进入暮年以后,我发现我不能够改变我们的国家,我的最后愿望仅仅是改变一下我的家庭,但是,这也不可能。
当我现在躺在床上,行将就木时,我突然意识到:如果一开始我仅仅去改变我自己,然后,我可能改变我的家庭;
在家人的帮助和鼓励下,我可能为国家做一些事情;
然后,谁知道呢?我甚至可能改变这个世界。
威斯敏斯特教堂墓志铭英文版:
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable.As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world. |
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