Graduation Quotes 2016: 20 Inspirational Sayings From Celebrities And World Leaders For Commencement

Whether you're penning a valedictorian speech or searching for a saying to write in a pal's yearbook, look no further. Celebrities, writers, technology gurus, lawmakers and others have been speaking at commencement ceremonies for decades, and they've probably already summed up your feelings about graduation.

If you're looking for some inspiration for the big day, take some time to read through these famous quotes about growing up and trying new things. These 20 sayings were collected from Quote Garden, Goodreads, Seventeen and the Muse:

"Do all the other things, the ambitious things — travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love, make and lose fortunes, swim naked in wild jungle rivers (after first having it tested for monkey poop) — but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness. Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial." — George Saunders

"There are no shortcuts to any place worth going." — Beverly Sills

"Try not to worry so much about what you are going to do with your life. You are already doing what you are going to do with your life, and judging by your gowned-ness, you’re doing all right." — John Green

"Understand that one day you will have the power to make a difference, so use it well." — Mindy Kaling

"You don't ever have to do anything sensational in order to love or to be loved. The real drama of life (that which matters most) is rarely centerstage or in the spotlight. In fact, it has nothing to do with IQs and honors and the fancy outsides of life. What really nourishes our souls is the knowing that we can be trusted, that we never have to fear the truth, that the foundation of our very being is good stuff." — Fred Rogers

"I really believe that how good you are at the beginning of anything you try is not a good indicator of how good you can become." — Capt. Mark Kelly

"Don’t be trapped by dogma, which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice, heart and intuition." — Steve Jobs

"It’s your turn. And the good news is, you’re ready. And when your journey seems too hard, and when you run into a chorus of cynics who tell you that you’re being foolish to keep believing or that you can’t do something, or that you should just give up, or you should just settle — you might say to yourself a little phrase that I’ve found handy these last eight years: Yes, we can." — Barack Obama

"Hitch your wagon to a star." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Just because you don't know what you want yet, it doesn't mean that there's nothing to want.” — Emily Henry

"I hope if you find yourself on one path but longing for something else, you find a way to get there. And if that isn’t right, try again. Try until you find something that stirs your passion, a job that matters to you and matters to others. It’s a luxury to combine passion and contribution. It’s also a clear path to happiness." — Sheryl Sandberg

"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." — Henry Ford

"Be compassionate to everyone. Don't just search for whatever it is that annoys and frightens you — see beyond those things to the basic human being. Especially see the child in the man or woman. Even if they are destroying you, allow a moment to see how lost in their own delusion and suffering they are." — Alice Walker

"Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude." — Ralph Marston

“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don't let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.” — Jim Carrey

"My favorite animal is the turtle. The reason is that in order for the turtle to move, it has to stick its neck out. There are going to be times in your life when you’re going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges; and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and meet them." — Ruth Westheimers

"Now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. Make good art." — Neil Gaiman

"You can't plan a script. The beauty of improvisation is you're experiencing it in the moment. If you try to plan what the next line is supposed to be, you're just going to be disappointed when the other people on stage with you don't do or say what you want them to do, and you'll stand there frozen … Be in this moment. Now, be here in this moment." — Dick Costolo

"You are educated. Your certification is in your degree. You may think of it as the ticket to the good life. Let me ask you to think of an alternative. Think of it as your ticket to change the world." — Tom Brokaw

"The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse." — Edward Koch