Change is the law of life and those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
改变是生命的法则,那些只看过去或现在的人,一定会错过未来。
这是约翰·肯尼迪的经典名言,告诉我们改变永远存在,如果只有学会改变才能顺应潮流迎接未来。但是想改变世界的人很多,想改变自己的却很少。如果你也有同样的问题,请看下面这段碑文。
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.
译文
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。