在英国最古老的建筑物威斯敏斯特教堂旁边，矗立着一块墓碑，上面刻着一段非常著名的话：

 威斯敏斯特教堂墓志铭中文版:

 当我年轻的时候，我梦想改变这个世界；

 当我成熟以后，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；

 当我进入暮年以后，我发现我不能够改变我们的国家，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，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，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。
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   威斯敏斯特教堂墓志铭英文版：

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 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. 

 链接：
    威斯敏斯特大教堂(Westminster Abbey，又译西敏寺) 坐落在英国伦敦议会广场西南侧的威斯敏斯特大教堂，正式名称为“圣彼得联合教堂”。它最初由笃信宗教的国王“忏悔者”爱德华一世于 1050年下令修建，1065 年建成。现存的教堂为 1245 年亨利三世时重建，以后历代都有增建，直到 15 世纪末才告竣工。