11 Inspirational Graduation Speech Quotes

Best words of wisdom to motivate you to move forward.

Wise Words - The best graduation speeches encourage you to reflect on past accomplishments and turn a hopeful eye toward the future. Here, some of the best quotes that will motivate you to move forward — whether your graduation day is a distant memory or coming up soon. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel
Michelle Obama @ Dillard University (2014) - “You all have opportunities and skills and education that so many folks who came before you never could have dreamed of. So just imagine the kind of impact that you're going to make. Imagine how you can inspire those around you to reach higher and complete their own education.”   (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Shonda Rhimes @ Dartmouth College (2014) - “Ditch the dream and be a doer, not a dreamer. Maybe you know exactly what it is you dream of being, or maybe you're paralyzed because you have no idea what your passion is. The truth is, it doesn't matter. You don't have to know. You just have to keep moving forward. You just have to keep doing something, seizing the next opportunity, staying open to trying something new. It doesn't have to fit your vision of the perfect job or the perfect life. Perfect is boring and dreams are not real. Just ... do.”  (Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)Christian Louboutin @ Fashion Institute of Technology (2014) - “Speak up and take risks. What's the worst that can happen? You'll learn something that you didn't know before. Ask a lot of questions. Don't be afraid. Calmly give your opinions — don't wait to be asked. For me, it wasn't that I was confident; I wasn't. I was just really naive. I never thought it wouldn't work. I still don't think my crazy ideas won't work, and if they don't work, oh well. I'll do something else.”   (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

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Wise Words - The best graduation speeches encourage you to reflect on past accomplishments and turn a hopeful eye toward the future. Here, some of the best quotes that will motivate you to move forward — whether your graduation day is a distant memory or coming up soon. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel

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