"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you fail by default." Isn't that a wonderful quote?
She's everything I want to be. She's so wise and honest. I could listen to her talk all day, I would just absorb her every word. I'm going to quote Holden Caulfeild here "What really knocks me out is a book, when you're all done reading it, you wished the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it." I love you JK, you truly are an inspiration!
Brilliant speech! I'm reading HP5 right now...and loving it. Thank you for sharing this humorous, heart warming, speech. Bravo to Jo Rowling for finding herself when she lost nearly everything else!
I just graduated from the same place that she had the graduation she talks about here, I SO wish that she could have done this at Exeter! Beautiful beautiful speech.
she is so mature for person of her age...I mean I had no idea the things she endured in her early 20s. I just turned 20 and listening to her makes to realize that all the "problem" I face in life is just gifts form God to make me a much better person.
An inspiring speech that needs to be listened to by all and listened to all the way through. She espouses what humanity needs, and must understand to further itself and the planet that we live on but should live with.
"you might be driven by a fear of failure quite as much as a desire for success" fear of failure --- tat separates the really successful ppl from the ordinary ones awesome speech!
I would've loved to have her at my commencement, but youtube is good enough. Absolutely love this speech. Jo has such a way with words.. can't wait for her new book!
she has been one of the most influential ppl in my life - philosophers stone was the first book i ever read and i havent stopped since. she oppened a door for me.
I've watched this speech about 5 times and it still gives me major shivers I love her so much. This speech shows what a great person she is and always will be. Step aside Harry Potter (no matter how much I love you), J.K. Rowling is the chosen one ;)
And I absolutely love her commencement speech. It's one of the best I've ever seen before-- her voice is really powerful and gives strong message out(: I think she's one of the most inspirational people (Along with Morrie Schwartz and Randy Pausch) especially being an author and woman and being so successful(: And she always manages to add light humor into her speech which makes her all the more amazing :D
We share the same birthday and shared similar depressive experiences in that crappy room. It's amzing how you realyy aren't the only one going through a situation. I'm rising now too and I hope to gain as much pleasing rewards and success. Bring it on...life can be good I suppose
Wow normally I think speeches are pretty boring, but this is the most amazing and eloquent speech I have ever heard. JK Rowling is phenomenal. The way she talks is just so captivating, you just want to listen and hang onto every word.
This is truly an inspirational woman. I just watched this entire commencement speech, and lady brought tears to my eyes. Now I'm not a fan of Harry Potter, I am a fan of her journey. She has inspired me so much. Imagination is truly the key to saving the human race. Not everyone can change the world, but everyone has the ability to do so. It is up to you to take a stand. To get to that place, we have to through that dark place. Thank you JK Rowlings.
"It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well." ~J.K. Rowling What an accurate self-description JK!
Oh god this woman. THIS WOMAN. I love how inspiring and and simultaneously humble and hilarious she is. It's probably why she's the best thing that happened to my childhood.
This woman is pure genius. I hadn't read the Harry Potter books until recently because I had this idea that they were kiddish. But she proved me wrong. I love her story, her humour and wit. You can read HP over and over again and not feel tired. And Rowling's life story is so inspirational that anyone can learn from it. Love you Jo Rowling! You're a true inspiration!
What an inspirational woman. Listening to her speech made me want to actually read the series. I don't care that she has billions now, obviously the Potter series made her famous to people like myself but that doesn't matter. I am glad I know who she is and to hear the inspiring words she has to give.
@Trixxieheart I find the speech so deeply beautiful and accessible for any (flexible-minded or not) that I promise it won't be wasted on these graduates. They will be responsible citizens just like yourself:-) J K Rowling lost her weight in preparation for this speech and did really well....
She's freaking incredible. I don't care what anyone says, she's my inspiration. A beautiful, intellectual, funny and brilliant woman. I can't thank her enough for all she has done for my life.
can't believe i found this only now. totally spammed the comments anyway cheers to jk rowling one of the best authors ever! (gotta finish everything i want to say before hitting 'post')
what I love about JK Rowling is that the comments on her page - no matter what opinions are being stated - are all filled with complete sentences. Regardless of what's being said, it's coherent. Good reading makes good writers. Go JK!! :)
omg i love her and seriously not just becuase of the most amazing books ever written - but becuase i believe she is a good person - how much money she gives to charity and so forth. she is simply amazing. the speech was amazing and touching and funny - i want her to speak at my graduation.
"I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and decided to redirect all my energy into the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else I might have never found the determination to succeeded in the one arena, that I believed I truly belonged."- -3
She deserved this. SO MUCH. It just proves what an intelligent, amazing person she is. I truly respect her as a writer and a human being. Stephenie Meyer can piss off.
@Trixxieheart Actually, lots of Harvard graduates (particularly in these recent years) have gone on not only to typical business-focused careers but humanitarian ventures as well. I'm a Harvard grad working at a not-for-profit, have several Harvard friends in similar careers and know more that are teachers (career teachers at that, not just Teach for America two-year stints).
Big Fan of Harry Potter. I think its very cool someone finally wrote this book. "You Have A College Degree, Now What?" was released last month. Spotted it on Amazon.
@paulinotou Actually, I think the job you're referring too was the one she had when she was living in Portugal with her first husband, after the divorce she moved back to the UK and starting writing the Harry Potter books.
@jeleung there's an expiration date. As in, there comes a point where you have to take control of your own life, not blame your parents for things that go wrong.
She has it all - beauty and brains. She's seen it all - horror and poverity, love and hate, depression and most of all failure. (That's not all). She pulled herself out of poverty herself. All she wanted was to see her published books on the bookshelf in a bookstore, not knowing that it would become one of the best selling books in history. Well done!
1. Diversity in race creates a great community. 2. University is a business. If it does not create money, they can't stand and continue. 3. Tradition is important to the school. 4. Talented people deserve to be recognized and polished. Being smart can only do so much. You need to be well-rounded human being in order to reach success. University wants to teach leaders. There is a reason not admit everyone because your degree is meaningless when everyone has one such as Asia.
Развлечения
"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you fail by default."
Isn't that a wonderful quote?
My teacher is making me watch this.
same
@@ElsaM23 this gay
I was at this speech. I was not a graduate but a fan who scored tickets and it was worth sitting in the cold rain to see!!!!
She's everything I want to be. She's so wise and honest. I could listen to her talk all day, I would just absorb her every word.
I'm going to quote Holden Caulfeild here
"What really knocks me out is a book, when you're all done reading it, you wished the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it."
I love you JK, you truly are an inspiration!
One of my favorite speeches OF ALL TIME!
Brilliant speech!
I'm reading HP5 right now...and loving it.
Thank you for sharing this humorous, heart warming, speech.
Bravo to Jo Rowling for finding herself when she lost nearly everything else!
Anything written by this woman in novels or for speech, to me is gold.
I just graduated from the same place that she had the graduation she talks about here, I SO wish that she could have done this at Exeter! Beautiful beautiful speech.
You just can't help but laugh, cry and clap when you watch this video.
its oddly comforting to listen to her voice, like finding my old childhood comfort blanket.
One of the best Commencement speeches!
she is so mature for person of her age...I mean I had no idea the things she endured in her early 20s. I just turned 20 and listening to her makes to realize that all the "problem" I face in life is just gifts form God to make me a much better person.
An inspiring speech that needs to be listened to by all and listened to all the way through. She espouses what humanity needs, and must understand to further itself and the planet that we live on but should live with.
Thank you. You have made my childhood.
"you might be driven by a fear of failure quite as much as a desire
for success"
fear of failure --- tat separates the really successful ppl from the ordinary ones
awesome speech!
I would've loved to have her at my commencement, but youtube is good enough. Absolutely love this speech. Jo has such a way with words.. can't wait for her new book!
Incredibly inspirational and personal. Thank you Rowling.
Best commencement speech ever.
she has been one of the most influential ppl in my life - philosophers stone was the first book i ever read and i havent stopped since. she oppened a door for me.
Love this speech
j.k rowling is such an intelligent, humble, and gracious person! she deserves all her success. she got kids to read again too.
Wonderful!
How can ppl dislike J.K rowling and her speach?!
I've watched this speech about 5 times and it still gives me major shivers
I love her so much. This speech shows what a great person she is and always will be. Step aside Harry Potter (no matter how much I love you), J.K. Rowling is the chosen one ;)
I love that the loudest cheer is from "there IS an expiring date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction."
awesome speech
it makes me cry. she is a very good public speaker! she is so inspirational!
shes so inspirational
And I absolutely love her commencement speech. It's one of the best I've ever seen before-- her voice is really powerful and gives strong message out(: I think she's one of the most inspirational people (Along with Morrie Schwartz and Randy Pausch) especially being an author and woman and being so successful(: And she always manages to add light humor into her speech which makes her all the more amazing :D
you truly are the best person ive ever known, jo.
Amazing!
We share the same birthday and shared similar depressive experiences in that crappy room. It's amzing how you realyy aren't the only one going through a situation. I'm rising now too and I hope to gain as much pleasing rewards and success. Bring it on...life can be good I suppose
In a word: Brilliant. In wisdom, luminescent beauty and inspiration, you are truly brilliant.
I truly appreciate her (;
she is exactly the kind of person i would have expected to author the books that made my childhood
Wow normally I think speeches are pretty boring, but this is the most amazing and eloquent speech I have ever heard. JK Rowling is phenomenal. The way she talks is just so captivating, you just want to listen and hang onto every word.
Here is a women who has truly shaped my childhood, JK, I thank you
This is truly an inspirational woman. I just watched this entire commencement speech, and lady brought tears to my eyes. Now I'm not a fan of Harry Potter, I am a fan of her journey. She has inspired me so much. Imagination is truly the key to saving the human race. Not everyone can change the world, but everyone has the ability to do so. It is up to you to take a stand. To get to that place, we have to through that dark place. Thank you JK Rowlings.
"It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well." ~J.K. Rowling
What an accurate self-description JK!
Incredible.
Very eloquent speaker. I hope I can achieve that sort of grace and dignity.
This really inspires me so much. :))
Seriously the best speech I've ever heard - what an incredible lady. I'd definitely love to have lunch with her in another life.
my idol..i simply adore her..
The hard work was the ground of her success .
She's absolutely stunning.
no she was born and raised in england, she didn't move to scotland until her late 20's / early 30's.
She lives in Scotland full time now.
this was good
Oh god this woman. THIS WOMAN. I love how inspiring and and simultaneously humble and hilarious she is. It's probably why she's the best thing that happened to my childhood.
She is my one of my new heroes!
This woman is pure genius. I hadn't read the Harry Potter books until recently because I had this idea that they were kiddish. But she proved me wrong. I love her story, her humour and wit. You can read HP over and over again and not feel tired. And Rowling's life story is so inspirational that anyone can learn from it.
Love you Jo Rowling! You're a true inspiration!
She's so adorable I'm melting.
brilliant writer
Here is a women who has truly shaped my childhood, JK, I thank you
\
I am so jealous of all the students getting that speech!
love her =. she is my favorite author
J.K. ROWLING REPRESENTING.
LIKE A BOSS.
She really has her way with words
A very clever person and a talented writer. Love her humor and her brilliance. As a writer, she's one of my biggest role models!
What an inspirational woman. Listening to her speech made me want to actually read the series. I don't care that she has billions now, obviously the Potter series made her famous to people like myself but that doesn't matter. I am glad I know who she is and to hear the inspiring words she has to give.
@Brady2k10 That's a nice Ad Hominem you've got right there. Such great argumentative skills...
World's largest Gryffindor reunion. I LOVE YOU JO
@Trixxieheart I find the speech so deeply beautiful and accessible for any (flexible-minded or not) that I promise it won't be wasted on these graduates. They will be responsible
citizens just like yourself:-) J K Rowling lost her weight in preparation for this speech and did really well....
What a LEGEND!!!
inspiring... :)
She's freaking incredible. I don't care what anyone says, she's my inspiration.
A beautiful, intellectual, funny and brilliant woman. I can't thank her enough for all she has done for my life.
i like the audience laughter and the funny speech of jk rowling...great.
She's brilliant!!!! I bawled like a baby during this speech. She's so intelligent and so inspirational!! She's also really funny! lol.
I wish i was there.
can't believe i found this only now. totally spammed the comments anyway cheers to jk rowling one of the best authors ever! (gotta finish everything i want to say before hitting 'post')
what I love about JK Rowling is that the comments on her page - no matter what opinions are being stated - are all filled with complete sentences. Regardless of what's being said, it's coherent. Good reading makes good writers. Go JK!! :)
"There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction." lol yes indeed.
on a serious note.. shes brilliant.. RESPECT !!!!
@strangeinfatuation1 you took the words out of my mind!
omg i love her and seriously not just becuase of the most amazing books ever written - but becuase i believe she is a good person - how much money she gives to charity and so forth. she is simply amazing. the speech was amazing and touching and funny - i want her to speak at my graduation.
1:45 lol I love how half of the audience went like ".....what did she just say?"
I've grown up with HP series, and it made me a better person...! if there's any reason that I still believe in magic its you!
2000th like :)
i wish my school was good enough to have her there
"I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was, and decided to redirect all my energy into the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else I might have never found the determination to succeeded in the one arena, that I believed I truly belonged."- -3
I love her, Harry Potter are the best movies/books I have ever read/watched!
Even if you don't like her, this speech is amazing. :)
I love JK Rowling. More power to her!
Not only is JK Rowling a wonderful story teller, she is also a wonderful person. Very inspirational speech.
Great woman :)
Just my idol, next to Eric idle, Carl-Gustav Jung and my grandmother.
She deserved this. SO MUCH. It just proves what an intelligent, amazing person she is. I truly respect her as a writer and a human being.
Stephenie Meyer can piss off.
"there is an expiry date for blaming ur parents for steering u in the wrong direction"
@SuperBUGGzBUNNY old is gold mah friend.. ;)
@Trixxieheart Actually, lots of Harvard graduates (particularly in these recent years) have gone on not only to typical business-focused careers but humanitarian ventures as well. I'm a Harvard grad working at a not-for-profit, have several Harvard friends in similar careers and know more that are teachers (career teachers at that, not just Teach for America two-year stints).
Big Fan of Harry Potter. I think its very cool someone finally wrote this book. "You Have A College Degree, Now What?" was released last month. Spotted it on Amazon.
@videomagnet06 yes, when they meet at the end of the last book. he was explaining why harry was more worthy of the deathly hallows than himself.
@paulinotou Actually, I think the job you're referring too was the one she had when she was living in Portugal with her first husband, after the divorce she moved back to the UK and starting writing the Harry Potter books.
What a lovely woman.
@jeleung there's an expiration date. As in, there comes a point where you have to take control of your own life, not blame your parents for things that go wrong.
She has it all - beauty and brains. She's seen it all - horror and poverity, love and hate, depression and most of all failure. (That's not all). She pulled herself out of poverty herself. All she wanted was to see her published books on the bookshelf in a bookstore, not knowing that it would become one of the best selling books in history. Well done!
WIN.
bEST SPEECH EVER. LOVE HER.
thanks!
happyface:)
This woman is a legend :'D
1. Diversity in race creates a great community.
2. University is a business. If it does not create money, they can't stand and continue.
3. Tradition is important to the school.
4. Talented people deserve to be recognized and polished.
Being smart can only do so much. You need to be well-rounded human being in order to reach success. University wants to teach leaders. There is a reason not admit everyone because your degree is meaningless when everyone has one such as Asia.
I know why I love her books shes an awesome person that made me lol