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
We went to the moon to explore it, but in fact, we discovered Earth for the first time.
speech graduation science
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Rice University Commencement 2013, 2013
Your diploma is really not a ticket to show off what you know. You know what it really is? It's permission to admit to yourself how much you still have yet to learn.
speech graduation humility
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Rice University Commencement 2013, 2013
There is no solution to a problem that does not embrace all that we have created as a species.
speech graduation creativity
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Rice University Commencement 2013, 2013
The person under 25 is less a rough draft than a finely honed instrument, tailor-made for one of life's greatest periods of challenge and change.
speech graduation growth
Ronan Farrow
Dominican University of California Commencement 2012, 2012
They didn't fail less. They rescued more.
speech graduation resilience
Atul Gawande
Williams College Commencement 2012, 2012
Success comes to the prepared mind. Success is not like rain that falls from the sky equally upon everyone. Success is what you reap when you sow with passion and optimism.
speech graduation passion
Ahmed Zewail
Caltech Commencement 2011, 2011
The soft power of science has the potential to reshape global diplomacy—and at significantly lower expense than that needed for use of the hard power of military involvement.
speech graduation science
Ahmed Zewail
Caltech Commencement 2011, 2011
Without hard work, we are not entitled to a good life—and without compassion, we will not attain the good life in a world-majority population of have-nots.
speech graduation discipline
Ahmed Zewail
Caltech 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.
speech graduation science
Edward O. Wilson
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Commencement 2011, 2011
Go forth. Think. Save the world.
speech graduation science
Edward O. Wilson
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Commencement 2011, 2011
We're all strapped in, seated together on a gigantic ball whirling around the sun at 67,000 miles per hour, nested in a galaxy hurtling through the depths of space and time at 1.3 million miles per hour.
speech graduation wonder
Kirk Schneider
San Francisco State University Commencement 2010, 2010