The Last Lecture

by Randy Pausch

“An injured lion wants to know if he can still roar,” I told Jai. “It’s about dignity and self-esteem, which isn’t quite the same as vanity.”

Many people might expect the talk to be about dying. But it had to be about living.

Her casual remark was a reminder about the accidental elements that play into both our arrival into life... and our departure into death.

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”

“Never make a decision until you have to.”

“Just because you’re in the driver’s seat,” he’d say, “doesn’t mean you have to run people over.”

He encouraged creativity just by smiling at you. He loved to watch the spark of enthusiasm turn into fireworks.

I was heartbroken, but I was not deterred. I would find a way around this brick wall.

Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.

“When you’re screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, that means they’ve given up on you.”

There’s a lot of talk these days about giving children self-esteem. It’s not something you can give; it’s something they have to build.

the ultimate example of a man who knew what he didn’t know, was perfectly willing to admit it, and didn’t want to leave until he understood.

I am a leaner, but I am not a cheater.

Tenacity is a virtue, but it’s not always crucial for everyone to observe how hard you work at something.

The brick walls are there for a reason. They’re not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something.

People are more important than things.

“...The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”

Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something.

NO MATTER how bad things are, you can always make things worse. At the same time, it is often within your power to make them better.

“It’s not helpful if we spend every day dreading tomorrow,”

You can always change your plan, but only if you have one.

The most useful to-do list breaks tasks into small steps.

Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think.

Everybody loves telling stories. It’s one of the truly universal things about our species.

Give yourself permission to dream. Fuel your kids’ dreams, too. Once in a while, that might even mean letting them stay up past their bedtimes.

Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won’t make us happier.

Don’t finish someone’s sentences. And talking louder or faster doesn’t make your idea any better.

“If you wait long enough,” he said, “people will surprise and impress you.”

“But in the end,” he said, “people will show you their good side. Almost everybody has a good side. Just keep waiting. It will come out.”

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.

EXPERIENCE IS what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.

Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer.

SHOWING GRATITUDE is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.

A lot of people want a shortcut. I find the best shortcut is the long way, which is basically two words: work hard.

He changed my life. I could never adequately pay him back, so I just have to pay it forward.

Halfhearted or insincere apologies are often worse than not apologizing at all because recipients find them insulting. If you’ve done something wrong in your dealings with another person, it’s as if there’s an infection in your relationship. A good apology is like an antibiotic; a bad apology is like rubbing salt in the wound.

Proper apologies have three parts: 1) What I did was wrong. 2) I feel badly that I hurt you. 3) How do I make this better?

IF I could only give three words of advice, they would be “tell the truth.”

If you want something bad enough, never give up (and take a boost when offered). Brick walls are there for a reason. And once you get over them—even if someone has practically had to throw you over—it can be helpful to others to tell them how you did it.

When we’re connected to others, we become better people.

Sometimes, all you have to do is ask, and it can lead to all your dreams coming true.

“Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.”

“It’s not about how to achieve your dreams. It’s about how to lead your life. If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself. The dreams will come to you.”