安葬于西敏寺的英国国教主教的墓志铭

我年少时，意气风发，踌躇满志，当时曾梦想要改变世界，但当我年事渐长，阅历增多，我发觉自己无力改变世界，于是我缩小了范围，决定改变我的国家。

 

但这个 目标还是太大了。

 

接著我步入了中年，无奈之余，我将试图改变的对象锁定在最亲密的家人身上。

 

但天不从人愿，他们个个还是维持原样。当我垂垂老矣，我终于顿 悟了一些事：我应该先改变自己，用以身作则的方式影响家人。若我能先当家人的榜样，也许下一步就能改善我的国家，再后来我甚至可能改造整个世界，谁知道 呢?

 

--

 

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.