《威斯敏斯特大教堂无名墓碑墓志铭》

爱学习的牧言

在英国伦敦泰晤士河北岸的威斯敏斯特大教堂内，树立着一座无名墓碑，上面刻着一段发人深省的文字。

据说，许多世界政要和名人看到这块碑文时都感慨不已。有人说这是一篇人生的教义，有人说这是灵魂的一种自省。 

中文诵读

　　当我年轻的时候，我充满了想象，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。

        当我进入暮年以后，我发现我不能够改变我的国家，我的最后愿望也仅仅是改变一下我的家庭，但这也不可能。

        当我现在躺在床上，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。

英文诵读

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 inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world.