Legend has it that these words are written on the tomb of a bishop, buried in the crypts of Westminster Abbey in London:
在威斯敏特教堂一个不显眼的角落,树立着一块石碑,上面刻着一段广为传诵的碑文:
"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 realise, 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." "Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.".
在威斯敏特教堂一个不显眼的角落,树立着一块石碑,上面刻着一段广为传诵的碑文:当我年轻的时候,我的想象漫无边际,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,我将目光缩短了一些,决定改变我的国家;当我进入暮年当我年轻的时候,我的想象漫无边际,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,我将目光缩短了一些,决定改变我的国家;当我进入暮年以后,我发现我不能够改变我的国家,我最后的愿望仅仅是改变的我家庭,然而,这似乎也不可能…… 现在,我已经躺在床上,就在生命将要完结的时候,我突然意识到:如果一开始我就首先改变自己,然后,作为一个榜样,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重要的事情;就在我为国家服务的时候,我或许能因为某些意想不到的行为,改变这个世界…… 几乎每一个参观威斯敏特教堂的人,都会在这块石碑前驻足片刻,因为在这个世界上,多数人生来都平凡。这段碑文不仅给许多人以启示,而且还给人以鼓励:如果你不能做很大的事情,你可以从自己开始,先做一些小的事情----从现在开始,从平凡开始。