Don't ever forget that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.
Aaron Sorkin
Syracuse University Commencement 2012, 2012
Video starts at 13:20 — the moment this quote was spoken
The Story Behind This Quote
Near the end of his speech, Sorkin urged graduates to remember their citizenship in the world and listed the free, easy, everyday things they could do to lift the human spirit: civility, respect, kindness, character. He told them they were too good for schadenfreude, gossip, snark, and intolerance. Then he paraphrased Margaret Mead's famous observation as both a challenge and a promise. He closed by wishing them a moment — 'a moment soon' — when they really put the bat on the ball, when all else disappears and they soar with wings as eagles. 'A lofty prediction to be sure, but I flat out guarantee it.'