Short

The best definition I have ever heard of a vocation is that it's the place where your great joy meets the world's great need.

It just doesn't pay to be a jerk. Kindness, respect, and all that good stuff — it just goes a long way.

What's just as important as having a plan is being able to adapt. A lot of the best things I've experienced are things I never knew or never expected or knew to prepare for.

For many of you, this may be your proudest achievement. I don't believe that. Class of 2012, your proudest moments are the ones you've yet to come across.

The positive revolutions are not going to be caused by generals and politicians. They are going to be caused by innovators like you.

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.

Don't ever feel boxed into a single career or pursuit. Remain curious. Explore every axis, on every front, in the battle to make a difference.

Own those qualities of youthful recklessness. They give us the power to achieve incredible things, whether in our careers, in public service, in our communities, or around the world.

Be proud of this new generation. They aren't like you, but they are what America now needs.

Do what you love. Find a way to get paid for it. And if you ever have the luxury of multiple job offers, don't make the decision based on salary alone.

You cannot tell yourself where things would lead. Finding what you want to do next is a job, and like any job, you have to put in the hours.

You leave this school as well-armed for battle as anyone is. Now you actually have to go do it.