Have you ever been moved by inspirational graduation speeches? Maybe a graduation you attended or a speech you watched online inspired you, challenged your perceptions, or made you feel ready to go do something important…
Inspirational graduation speeches often make us laugh, bring up emotions (dare we say make us cry?), and make us feel like we can make a difference. When one of these tidbits of graduation advice strikes the right chord in your brain and heart, you may just carry it with you forever.
Many famous bits of graduation advice have become so famous that they are ubiquitous in our culture. Two great examples from famous graduation speeches are:
- "If I could give you one piece of advice, this is it: Wear Sunscreen." A piece of graduation advice commonly attributed to the author Kurt Vonnegut and the director Baz Luhrmann. Many sources agree that neither said it, but rather, a columnist for the Chicago Tribune named Mary Schmich.
- "I find the harder I work, the luckier I get." A quote from Thomas Jefferson so often quoted in graduation speeches that one could buy a t-shirt with the quote printed on it.
Whether you are attending a graduation ceremony or prepping to speak at one as you embark on your next journey in life, keeping these captivating words from famous and inspirational graduation speeches can feed your motivation. They will help you navigate your path. Let them serve as a source of empowerment as you move forward toward your goals and stay focused on your unwavering belief in yourself.
Countdown to the Most Inspirational Graduation Speeches Of All Time
#13
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in bed with a mosquito.”
~ Bette Reese, American officer and pilot
#12
“Check your ego at the door and start checking your gut instead.”
~ Oprah Winfrey, talk-show host and empire builder
#11
“The unfortunate yet truly exciting thing about your life is that there is no core curriculum. The entire place is an elective.”
~ Jon Stewart, comedian, writer, producer, media critic
#10
“If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of payments.”
~ Earl Wilson, baseball player
#9
“You get to make your own luck. 80% of success in your career will come from just showing up. The world is run by those who show up…not those who wait to be asked.”
~ Steve Blank, entrepreneur
#8
“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.”
~ Will Rogers, actor, humorist and social commentator
#7
“Have the wisdom to recognize the best in others while always demanding the best from yourself.”
~ Madeleine Albright, first female U.S. Secretary of State
#6
“If your uniform isn't dirty, you haven't been in the game.”
~ Ben Bernanke, former Chairman of the Federal Reserve
#5
“Don’t let your fears overwhelm your desire… you will never know what you’re capable of unless you try.”
~ Sheryl Sandberg, Former COO of Facebook
#4
“Follow your passion, stay true to yourself, never follow someone else’s path, unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path… then by all means you should follow that.”
~ Ellen DeGeneres. Comedian, Talk-show Host, Celebrity
#3
“I’ve seen a generation eager, impatient even, to step into the rushing waters of history and change its course.”
~ Former President Barack Obama
#2
“Life has no remote. Get up and change it yourself.”
~ Mark A. Cooper, Bestselling Author of Young Adult Spy Novels
[This next one doesn’t get a ranking, and we’re not even sure it’s from a graduation speech, but we figured no blog would be complete without advice from a frog:
“And once you get that map out, you won’t be able to refold it no matter how smart you are. So forget the map, roll down the windows, pull over, and picnic with a pig whenever you can. And if you can help it, never fly as cargo.”
~ Kermit the Frog, social commentator and expert on being green
Without further adieu. Drum roll, please. Here is our top graduation speech. One that surpassed U.S. Presidents, Nobel Prize winners, and influential philosophers - even Oprah!
The best line came from none other than Ireland’s pride and joy, the rock legend Bono. This just shows that you can make a difference in people’s lives, no matter which career you choose.
#1
“This is the time for bold measures, and this is the country, and you are the generation… That degree of yours is a blunt instrument – go forth and build something with it.”
~ Bono, singer, musician, businessman and philanthropist
Graduation is a milestone filled with excitement, hope, and nostalgia. Amidst the celebrations, inspirational graduation speeches often provide nuggets of wisdom that resonate with us long after the ceremony ends. Sometimes, a single memorable line can strike a chord, inspiring us as we embark on the excitement yet uncertainty that comes with this next chapter of our lives.
Our hope is that these 13 graduation speeches have served to motivate, entertain, and guide you. From humorous insights to profound advice, these quotes are perfect for anyone looking to reflect on their journey and find inspiration. Now, go out and build something, change history, picnic with a pig, and always wear sunscreen.
Envision by WorldStrides was built to help students make the world their classroom. From experiential learning to career exploration to leadership development, we facilitate programs that offer real-world experiences.
Learn more about our programs and start your journey with Envision today!
background-image: a building with the American flag in front of it