英语美文：改变世界从改变自己开始

 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

参考例句：

• He was a bishop who was held in reverence by all.他是一位被大家都尊敬的主教。
• Two years after his death the bishop was canonised.主教逝世两年后被正式封为圣者。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 twilight   

n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期

参考例句：

• Twilight merged into darkness.夕阳的光辉融于黑暗中。
• Twilight was sweet with the smell of lilac and freshly turned earth.薄暮充满紫丁香和新翻耕的泥土的香味。

4 alas   

int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等)

参考例句：

• Alas!The window is broken!哎呀！窗子破了！
• Alas,the truth is less romantic.然而，真理很少带有浪漫色彩。