If you really want to shock the world, unleash your kindness.
speech graduation empathy
Brad Meltzer
University of Michigan Commencement 2024, 2024
Use your fear. Harness it. Let them underestimate you. In the end, don't vanquish your critics — prove them wrong.
speech graduation courage
Brad Meltzer
University of Michigan Commencement 2024, 2024
I learned not to be disillusioned by failure, not to be burdened by perfection, and not to be intimidated by greatness.
failure resilience perseverance
John McEnroe
Stanford University Commencement, 2023
Measure your success by how much you evolve, not necessarily how much you win.
growth wisdom self discovery
John McEnroe
Stanford University Commencement, 2023
Embrace your inexperience and keep taking leaps forward.
courage growth resilience
Mark Rober
MIT Commencement 2023, 2023
Feel whatever you feel, all that you feel, and then keep going.
speech graduation resilience
Idina Menzel
University of Pennsylvania Commencement 2023, 2023
Channel your emotion into determination. Find exhilaration in the repetition. And put all of yourself into this role of a lifetime.
speech graduation passion
Idina Menzel
University of Pennsylvania Commencement 2023, 2023
You are more than one thing. You are more than many things. You are everything.
speech graduation authenticity
Idina Menzel
University of Pennsylvania Commencement 2023, 2023
You are not your circumstance. Where you start out in life doesn't have to determine where you'll end up or just how far you can go. Only you can determine your distance.
speech graduation perseverance
Alma Adams
Clinton College Commencement 2023, 2023
Limitations set by yourself give you boundaries to respect. But limitations set by others give you boundaries to bust through.
speech graduation independence
Michelle Yeoh
Harvard Law School Class Day 2023, 2023
The effort is optional, but the truth is sacred, unalterable, chiseled into the stone of the foundation of our republic.
speech graduation responsibility
Tom Hanks
Harvard University Commencement 2023, 2023
Never be ashamed of trying. Effortlessness is a myth. The people who wanted it the least were the ones I wanted to date and be friends with in high school. The people who want it the most are the people I now hire to work for my company.
speech graduation passion
Taylor Swift
New York University Commencement 2022, 2022