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It was just this week that Mark Zuckerberg’s Harvard acceptance video went viral. And, the Harvard dropout was there 12 years later to give a commencement speech to the Class of 2017. And, people did patiently hear every word he had to say, see every gesture he made, live every pause he took.
In an elaborate and eloquent speech, Mark delivered dreams to billions of people. Just like his site, even he connected with a lot of people and gave them a dream to dream. Here are the 10 best quotes from Zuckerberg’s address at Harvard’s 366th commencement.
1. That self-deprecating humour.
“Let’s face it, you accomplished something I never could. If I get through this speech today, it’ll be the first time I actually finish something here at Harvard.”
2. Mark even pointed out how the movie got it wrong that FaceMash was a big thing that led upto Facebook.
“My best memory from Harvard is meeting Priscilla. I had just launched this prank website Facemash, and the ad (administrative) board wanted to ‘see me’. Everyone thought I was going to get kicked out. My parents drove up here to help me pack my stuff. My friends threw me a going-away party. Who does that? As luck would have it, Priscilla was at that party with her friends. And we met in line for the bathroom in the Pfoho Belltower (a dorm), and in what must seem like one of the all-time most romantic lines, I turned to her and said: ‘I’m getting kicked out in three days, so we need to go on a date quickly.’”
3. He shared the key to one’s happiness.
“Purpose is that sense that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, that we are needed, that we have something better ahead to work for. Purpose is what creates true happiness.”
4. A very crucial message, there. Indeed, one needs to develop a thicker skin if s/he needs to succeed.
“It’s good to be idealistic. But be prepared to be misunderstood. Anyone working on a big vision will get called crazy, even if you end up right.”
5. Mark urged all to take a leap, start something and understand that every action has consequences.
“In our society, we often don’t do big things because we’re so afraid of making mistakes that we ignore all the things wrong today if we do nothing. The reality is, anything we do will have issues in the future. But that can’t keep us from starting.”
6. Citing J.K.Rowling and Beyoncé’s examples and his own too.
“The greatest successes come from having the freedom to fail.”
7. That’s his vision behind the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
“We can all make time to give someone a hand. Let’s give everyone the freedom to pursue their purpose — not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because when more people can turn their dreams into something great, we’re all better for it.”
8. As every world leader or an influencer says, ‘The change starts with you’. So, Zuckerberg too asked all to embrace that, but in his own words.
“Change starts local. Even global changes start small — with people like us. In our generation, the struggle of whether we connect more, whether we achieve our biggest opportunities, comes down to this — your ability to build communities and create a world where every single person has a sense of purpose.
9. He shared the secret formula of success with all!
“Let me tell you a secret: no one does when they begin. Ideas don’t come out fully formed. They only become clear as you work on them. You just have to get started.”
10. And, concluded with his speech with an anecdote, a congratulatory message, and an after-thought.
“We’ve all started lifelong friendships here, and some of us even families. That’s why I’m so grateful to this place. Thanks, Harvard.”
Wasn’t it something? Well, you can watch the entire speech here.
When Mark speaks, people listen!
Source: Harvard University
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