英国圣公会主教的忠告

 

在威斯敏斯特教堂地下室里，英国圣公会主教的墓碑上写着这样的一段话：

当我年轻自由的时候，我的想象力没有任何局限，我梦想改变这个世界。当我渐渐成熟明智的时候，我发现这个世界是不可能改变的，于是我将眼光放得短浅了一些，那就只改变我的国家吧。

但是我的国家似乎也是不能改变的。

当我到了迟暮之年，抱着最后一丝努力的希望，我决定要改变我的家庭，我亲近的人——但是，唉！他们根本不接受改变。

现在在我临终之时，我才突然意识到：如果起初我只改变了自己，接着我就可以依此改变我的家人，然后，在他们的激发和鼓励下，我也许就能改变我的国家，再接下来，谁又知道呢，也许我连整个世界都可以改变。

附：英文原文

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the Crypts of Westminster Abbey：

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 my self 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。