More from Hillary Clinton

Everyone gets knocked down. What matters is whether you get back up and keep going.

HC

Hillary Clinton

Yale University Class Day 2018, 2018

12:34

Video starts at 12:34 — the moment this quote was spoken

The Story Behind This Quote

Clinton quotes Eleanor Roosevelt — 'You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face' — and then delivers this distillation of resilience. She acknowledges directly that yes, Yale graduates will make mistakes and will even fail, 'no matter how qualified or capable we are. Take it from me.' The line lands with the full weight of her 2016 presidential loss. She doesn't dodge it: she describes going for long walks in the woods, spending hours on Twitter, and having her fair share of Chardonnay. 'No, I'm not over it,' she says. 'I still think about the 2016 election. I still regret the mistakes I made.' The vulnerability makes the resilience message credible rather than abstract.

Collect Your Favorite Quotes

Save quotes that inspire you. Build your personal collection of wisdom in Minditly — available on both platforms.