(单词翻译:单击)
Start With Yourself
The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop1 in the Crypts of Westminister 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 decided2 to change only my country.
But it, too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight3 years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas4, 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.
在懵懂的童年时期,我们胸怀梦想,相信自己的力量可以改变世界。后来,我们渐渐长大成熟,经历了生活的艰辛,明白了世无定事,感到了自己的渺小,我们的梦想也从“改变世界”降格成“改变家庭”,最终定位成“改变自己”。但我们实在不该低估自己,因为在我们改变自己的同时也潜移默化地影响着家庭,而作为世界的一分子,从某个角度来讲,我们也正改变着世界。
1 bishop | |
n.主教,(国际象棋)象 | |
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2 decided | |
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的 | |
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3 twilight | |
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期 | |
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4 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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