We can't expect someone to suddenly become an active citizen when they become an adult.

我们不能指望某人在成年后突然成为积极的公民。

I know only one way in which I could have played a meritorious part as an active citizen — by becoming a schoolmaster in some little country town, and teaching half a dozen teachable boys to love study for its own sake.

我只知道一种方法可以让我作为一名积极的公民发挥功绩——成为某个乡村小镇的校长， 并教导半打可教的男孩为了学习而热爱学习。