据说是
古希腊一位皇帝，也有说是一位英国圣公会主教，还有
无名氏的说法
在英国最古老的建筑物
威斯敏斯特教堂旁的墓碑上面刻着话：
“当我年轻的时候，我梦想改变这个世界；当我成熟以后，我发现我不能改变这个世界，我于是将目光缩短了些，决定只改变我的国家；当我进入暮年以后，我发向我不能够改变我的国家，我的最后愿望便仅仅是改变我的家庭，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，我可能会改变我的家庭；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。”
Legend has it that these words are written on the tomb of a bishop, buried in the crypts of Westminster Abbey in London:
"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 realise, 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."
"Just don't give up on trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong.".