据说伦敦威斯敏斯特大教堂有一块墓碑的碑文震撼人心

  据说伦敦威斯敏斯特大教堂有一块墓碑的碑文震撼人心:

  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 Ishortened 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.

  翻译成中文是:

  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,然后以身作则,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。

  故海点评:

  这篇碑文的核心思想——改变自己,改变家庭,进而改变世界。和中国儒家核心思想——推己及人,修身齐家治国平天下如出一辙。

  来源:国学读书网整理自网络