The best way to make people feel that you're listening to them is to listen to them.
Sal Khan
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Commencement 2012, 2012
If everyone is special, then no one is. If everyone gets a trophy, trophies become meaningless.
David McCullough Jr.
Wellesley High School Commencement 2012, 2012
Make failure your friend, but not a habit. First of all, I'm not sure survival is such a bad plan.
Benno Schmidt
University of Missouri-Kansas City Commencement 2012, 2012
In time you will find it easy to assume that you deserve the extra cookie. For all I know, you may. But you'll be happier, and the world will be better off, if you at least pretend that you don't.
Michael Lewis
Princeton University Baccalaureate 2012, 2012
We're all going to get cancelled one day. So do the show you want to do.
Phil Rosenthal
Hofstra University Commencement 2011, 2011
We have stone-age emotions, medieval institutions, and godlike technology. These three stanchions of current civilization explain why we are constantly in trouble.
Edward O. Wilson
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Commencement 2011, 2011
There's a lesson in this: never start out asking for someone you'd eventually settle for.
Terry Teachout
Rollins College Hamilton Holt School Commencement 2011, 2011
Don't treat your heart like an action figure wrapped in plastic and never used.
Amy Poehler
Harvard College Class Day 2011, 2011
When given the choice between fame and glory, take glory. Glory has a way of sneaking up on fame and stealing its lunch money later anyway.
Rachel Maddow
Smith College Commencement 2010, 2010
Don't expect your ship to come in unless you sent one out.
Douglas Smith
DeVry University Commencement 2010, 2010
The earth couldn't afford to send any recruiters or limos to your school. It sent you rain, sunsets, ripe cherries, night blooming jasmine, and that unbelievably cute person you are dating. Take the hint.
Paul Hawken
University of Portland Commencement 2009, 2009
You can't climb the ladder of success with your hands in your pockets.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
University of Southern California Commencement 2009, 2009