You cannot win your life. And like improv, you cannot win your life.
speech graduation humility
Stephen Colbert
Northwestern University Commencement, 2011, 2011
In life, the things that go wrong are often the very things that lead to other things going right.
speech graduation resilience
Arianna Huffington
Sarah Lawrence College Commencement 2011, 2011
If you choose to broaden your circle to include people who've had different backgrounds and life experiences, you'll learn what it's like to walk in someone else's shoes, and in the process, you'll help make this democracy work.
speech graduation empathy
Barack Obama
University of Michigan Commencement 2010, 2010
There's usually somebody else who can do your job, but there's nobody else who can be a loving child or a devoted parent.
speech graduation relationships
Susan Rice
Stanford University Commencement 2010, 2010
Empathy is at the heart of the actor's art.
speech graduation empathy
Meryl Streep
Barnard College Commencement 2010, 2010
Jeff, one day you'll understand that it's harder to be kind than clever.
speech graduation empathy
Jeff Bezos
Princeton University Commencement 2010, 2010
All the greatness you may achieve in your career doesn't amount to a whole lot if your personal life is a mess.
speech graduation balance
Jamie Hyneman
Villanova University Commencement 2010, 2010
Of all the things you do in life or all the questions you ponder, I would like you to keep kindness at the top of the list.
speech graduation empathy
Jamie Hyneman
Villanova University Commencement 2010, 2010
Find allies rather than adorers. Adorers will point out everything you do well. Allies will also be honest with you when they feel you are making mistakes or not living up to your potential.
speech graduation relationships
Marissa Mayer
Illinois Institute of Technology Commencement 2009, 2009
Always remember that the moments we have with friends and family, the chances we have to make a difference in the world — all those wonderful chances that life gives us, life also takes away. It can happen fast, and a whole lot sooner than you think.
speech graduation mortality
Larry Page
University of Michigan Commencement 2009, 2009
A new vision of the American dream that says achieving balance in your life is more important than the balance in your checking account.
speech graduation balance
Chris Gardner
UC Berkeley Commencement 2009, 2009
In the end, life is about the big and small things. The 'A' on the exam and the car-ride conversations, the game-winning touchdown and the 'Hi' in the hallway. What we view as the smaller things are the more important things.
speech graduation gratitude
Jonathan Youshaei
Deerfield High School Commencement 2009, 2009