J.K. Rowling spoke at the Harvard Commencement in June 2008. Below is her insightful speech:
J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement from Harvard Magazine on Vimeo.
Here are some of the best quotes:
“Failure removes the inessentials.” – J.K. Rowling
“Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.” – J.K. Rowling
“The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity.” – J.K. Rowling
“What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.” – Plutarch
“If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless; if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped change.” – J.K. Rowling
“We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already. We have the power to imagine better.” – J.K. Rowling
“As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.” – Seneca
For the entire transcript, go here.
When have you seen failure as a benefit?
When have you seen the power of imagination?
