Eric Carle closed his short but deeply felt commencement address with a final distillation of wisdom. After discussing the importance of following your inner voice, the role of luck, and the virtue of kindness, he offered this beautifully compact credo that echoed the philosophy behind his own life's work. The line captures Carle's artistic sensibility — the man who created picture books celebrated for their bold collage art and simple storytelling believed that art in all its forms was essential to a full life. His inclusion of 'stains and sunsets' alongside traditional art forms was a characteristically playful reminder that beauty can be found in the accidental and everyday, not just in galleries and concert halls. He then shared two favorite fan letters — one from a boy who wished he could visit but wasn't allowed to cross the street, and another that read, 'Our teacher made us read all of your books. Will you ever retire?' — before signing off with a warm 'Good luck.'