"当我年轻的时候,我的想象力从没有受到过限制,我梦想改变这个世界。
当我成熟以后,我发现我不能改变这个世界,我将目光缩短了些,决定只改变我的国家。
当我进入暮年后,我发现我不能改变我的国家,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事情。然后谁知道呢?我甚至可能改变这个世界。"
这是一段著名的碑文,在伦敦闻名世界的威斯敏斯特大教堂地下室的墓碑林中,一个无名者的墓碑碑文,也是改变了南非前总统曼德拉人生的一段话,终于他也改变了他的国家。
所以,一切从改变自己做起,这个世界的一切也会因你而改变。
附英文原文:
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 ofit.
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.