Motivational Speeches That Stand the Test of Time

If you’re looking for life advice, don’t take it from us, take it from them — some of the greatest artists, academics, visionaries, novelists, and cultural icons of the 21st century. Simon & Schuster’s collection of letters contains countless nuggets of wisdom for people in all stages of life.

“The path to moments of greatness in your life will be paved, in part, with your spectacular failures,” writes “Hamilton” icon Leslie Odom Jr. in his stirring memoir. In an interview with Shondaland.com, Odom shares that he wrote this book as a kind of commencement speech for all the different ways we graduate in life: from college, as well as into careers, serious relationships, and parenthood. The Broadway star’s words are a motivating reminder that “the work you put in when no one is watching will matter far more than the work you do when the cameras are rolling.”

“You are not special.” It’s a blunt message, to be sure, and perhaps a little off-putting. However, as evidenced by its millions of views on YouTube, it’s exactly what the world needed to hear. McCullough made this proclamation to the graduating class of Wellesley High in 2012. Rather than pressuring kids to stand out, he argues that it’s more important to encourage them to be themselves and work to make the world a little bit better.

“Go and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here.” Neil Gaiman encouraged the class of 2012 to get creative in his commencement address at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts. Read his full speech, and remember what Neil says: “If you’re making mistakes, it means you’re out there doing something.”

The wisdom from commencement speeches often applies regardless of whether you’re about to graduate. This anthology offers a wide selection of speeches given by some of the greats, including David Foster Wallace, Barbara Kingsolver, Michael Lewis, and Jonathan Safran Foer. While each offers their own unique advice based on their life stories, they all share a universal message of hope for the future.

True happiness comes not from having the right answers, but from asking the right questions. So, as a new graduate, you’re probably wondering: What are the right questions? That’s where Ryan’s book, based on his popular commencement speech given to Harvard’s class of 2016, can help. His five simple prompts promise profound answers, a new way of perceiving yourself and the world around you, and ultimately a more fulfilling life.

Karr’s speech to the graduating class of Syracuse University in 2015 generated a lot of buzz, and was praised as one of the most memorable speeches in recent years. It’s a well-worn art to give a commencement speech, but so few leave such a powerful impression as this.

Keegan died too young, only a few days after her college graduation, but she left behind the treasure of her writing with this posthumous collection of tender, starry-eyed essays and short stories. Keegan wrote the title essay for her class of 2012’s commencement, and it was published in the graduation issue of the Yale Daily News.

One of the most common questions new graduates ask is “What now?” Hence the title of Patchett’s acclaimed 2009 commencement address. The author of “The Dutch House” and “Bel Canto” offers inspiration and solace for grads (and anyone at a crossroads, unsure of what lies ahead): “Sometimes not having any idea where we’re going works out better than we could possibly have imagined.”

Vonnegut, literary icon and witty commencement speaker, wrote one of the best novels of his generation, “Slaughterhouse-Five.” While Vonnegut never graduated from college himself, his delight and pride in celebrating those who do achieve this milestone shines in his beloved commencement addresses, collected here.

Congratulations to the Class of 2022! Ursula K. Le Guin, Howard Zinn, Isabel Wilkerson, Wynton Marsalis, Barbara Kingsolver, Noam Chomsky, Toni Morrison, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and more celebrate your accomplishments and cheer you on with their inspiring commencement speeches.