I wish there was a way to know you're in the good ol' days before you've actually left them. Good ol' days are marked by relatively high levels of foolishness. Case in point: college.
speech graduation gratitude
Ed Helms
Cornell University Commencement 2014, 2014
It's okay to not really know what you're doing, and just trust your gut. Make the best judgment you can. There's not going to be a syllabus assigned to you.
speech graduation courage
Alexis Ohanian
Carthage College Commencement 2014, 2014
Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But family, health, friends, and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will never be the same.
speech graduation balance
James Patterson
University of Florida Commencement 2013, 2013
As important as freedom of expression is — and it most surely is — so too it is important to know what it is we want to express, and why.
speech graduation wisdom
Judith Butler
McGill University Honorary Doctorate Address 2013, 2013
The first steps toward non-violence, which is surely an absolute obligation we all bear, is to begin to think carefully and to ask others to do the same.
speech graduation empathy
Judith Butler
McGill University Honorary Doctorate Address 2013, 2013
Each moment is a procession from the future into the past and the sweet spot is always the present. Live in that sweet spot. Be present.
speech graduation balance
Wynton Marsalis
University of Vermont Commencement 2013, 2013
This is not preparation for life. This is life.
speech graduation wisdom
Wynton Marsalis
University of Vermont Commencement 2013, 2013
Life is a struggle with uncertain outcomes. Nonetheless, the natural world remains the substrate on which we must build our existence.
speech graduation nature
Stephen R. Kellert
University of Western Sydney Commencement 2013, 2013
Your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving. Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now.
speech graduation empathy
George Saunders
Syracuse University Convocation 2013, 2013
Do all the other things, the ambitious things — travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love — but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.
speech graduation empathy
George Saunders
Syracuse University Convocation 2013, 2013
A peaceful world means a compassionate world. If you respect others' life, you love others — how can a person who has that kind of motivation use force to eliminate them? Impossible.
speech graduation empathy
Dalai Lama
Tulane University Commencement 2013, 2013
Real happiness has very much to do with our emotion, not money. Everybody wants a happy life, happy family, happy community. So please pay some attention about our inner value.
speech graduation gratitude
Dalai Lama
Tulane University Commencement 2013, 2013