Start With Your Self

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in the crypts of Westminster 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 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 family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now as I lay 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.

中文：

这段话号称印在威斯特敏斯特大教堂（Westminster Abbey）的墓碑林（英国皇室，牛顿，都在这儿）的一个厮的墓碑上:

当我年轻的时候，我的想象力从没有受过限制，我梦想改变这个世界。

当我成熟的时候，我发现我不能够改变这个世界，我将目光缩短了些，决定只改变我的国家。

当我进入暮年之后，我发现我不能够改变我的国家，我的最后愿望仅仅是改变一下我的家庭，但是，这也不可能。

当我现在躺在床上时，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，我可能能为国家做一些事情；然后，谁知道呢？我可能、甚至改变这个世界。

搞成功学的、或者文学女青年们，都经常引用这典故。不过似乎那地方根本没这么个墓碑，换句话说这不过是又一个编造出来的（形容词，自己填）谎言。呵呵，是不是大煞风景？

不过我倒是觉得，这段话到底从哪儿、怎么来的根本无所谓，甚至它在文字和内涵的双重意义上到底是鸡汤还是扯淡，也无关紧要。

我们的选择是什么、是不是去做了，这才是真格的。