Quotes for a Graduation Speech, Attributed and Sorted by Use
These quotes for a graduation speech are real and attributed, sorted by where they fit in a speech: an opening line, a line about the work behind the moment, a line about what comes next, and a closing line. Each is credited to a named source, including several from famous people whose graduation and commencement lines are the ones audiences recognize. Pick one or two, not a string of them; a speech carries more weight than a quote list.
Opening lines
A quote near the start sets the tone and buys a moment before the real speech begins.
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” — Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela
Lines about the work behind the moment
Use one of these to name what the class actually did to get here.
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” — Confucius
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” — Thomas Edison
For a fuller set on effort and persistence, see quotes for students.
Lines about what comes next
These point forward without overpromising.
“The future depends on what you do today.” — Mahatma Gandhi
“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” — Steve Jobs, Stanford commencement, 2005
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” — commonly attributed to Mark Twain, though the attribution is disputed
Closing lines
End on a short, clear line the room can carry out the door.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” — Les Brown
“Whatever you are, be a good one.” — commonly attributed to Abraham Lincoln, though the attribution is unverified
How to use a quote in a graduation speech
Use one quote well rather than several in a row. Place it where it does a job: an opening quote earns attention, a closing quote gives the audience something to leave with. Say who said it out loud, since attribution is part of the point and a misattributed line undercuts you. Then connect it to something specific about this class or this year, so the quote frames your own words instead of replacing them. If a line’s origin is shaky, either skip it or say plainly that it is often attributed to someone, which is more credible than stating a wrong source. For lines aimed at the graduates rather than the speaker, see proud graduation quotes and inspiring graduation quotes.
FAQ
What is a good quote to open a graduation speech?
Eleanor Roosevelt’s “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams” or the Dr. Seuss line from Oh, the Places You’ll Go! both set a forward-looking tone.
How many quotes should a graduation speech include?
One or two. A speech built around a single quote lands harder than one that strings several together.
What did Steve Jobs say in his graduation speech?
In his 2005 Stanford commencement address, he said, “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life,” among other lines from that speech.
Are famous graduation quotes always correctly attributed?
No. Several popular lines, including ones attributed to Mark Twain and Abraham Lincoln, have disputed or unverified sources. Say “often attributed to” when the origin is not settled.