编者注:在伦敦闻名世界的威斯敏斯特大教堂地下室的墓碑林中,有一块名扬世界的墓碑。其实这只是一块很普通的墓碑,粗糙的花岗石质地,造型也很一般。但每一个到过威斯特敏斯特大教堂的人,他们可以不去拜谒那些曾经显赫一世的英国前国王们,可以不去拜谒那诸如狄更斯、达尔文等世界名人们,却没有人不来拜谒这一块普通的墓碑,长久以来,其上的碑文深深震撼着一代又一代后人。
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 death bed, I suddenly realize:
If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family. From their in spiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world.