You can spend your life tripping on yourself. You can also spend your life tripping yourself up. Get out of your own way.
speech graduation self discovery
Suzan-Lori Parks
Mount Holyoke College Commencement 2001, 2001
There will be times when knowing things won't matter as much as how scary the situation is. When that happens, you'll have to decide whether or not to get into the wheelbarrow.
speech graduation courage
Mark S. Lewis
University of Texas Commencement 2000, 2000
Because my parents fled in time, I escaped Hitler. Because of America's generosity, I escaped Stalin. Because of the vision of the Truman-Marshall generation, I have been privileged to live my life in freedom. Millions have still never had that opportunity.
speech graduation gratitude
Madeleine Albright
Harvard University Commencement 1997, 1997
Idealism is not a paralyzing but a liberating force, and to strive for principles, even if the journey is never completed, is to tap a vast source of energy.
speech graduation purpose
Tom Brokaw
Connecticut College Commencement 1996, 1996
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. Don't give up when you still have something to give.
speech graduation perseverance
Brian J. Dyson
Georgia Tech Commencement 1996, 1996
The only way sexism can truly harm you is if you get used to it. Don't ever get used to it.
speech graduation courage
Callie Khouri
Sweet Briar College Commencement 1994, 1994
Fantasizing, projecting yourself into a successful situation is the most powerful means there is of achieving personal goals.
speech graduation ambition
Leonard A. Lauder
Connecticut College Commencement 1989, 1989
At all costs try to avoid granting yourself the status of the victim. No matter how abominable your condition may be, try not to blame anything or anybody. The moment you place blame somewhere, you undermine your resolve to change anything.
speech graduation resilience
Joseph Brodsky
University of Michigan Commencement 1988, 1988
When you get knocked down — which is plenty often — you get right up in a hurry, just as quickly as you can.
speech graduation resilience
Woody Hayes
Ohio State University Commencement 1986, 1986
When you get knocked down — which is plenty often — you get right up in a hurry. Then you get your strength in the huddle. You get it by going back and running that play together with your teammates. That 'together' is the thing that gives you the buildup to get ready to go again.
speech graduation resilience
Woody Hayes
Ohio State University Commencement 1986, 1986
We don't need to accept this state of affairs and all the other increasingly imposed limitations of our society without a fight.
speech graduation independence
Meredith Monk
Sarah Lawrence College Commencement 1985, 1985
Because you are human beings you are going to meet failure. You are going to meet disappointment, injustice, betrayal, and irreparable loss. You will find you're weak where you thought yourself strong.
speech graduation failure
Ursula K. Le Guin
Mills College Commencement 1983, 1983