Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun.
Randy PauschRead
I was hugely impressed... was 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. That's heroic to me. I wish every grad student had that attitude.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of humility and the desire to learn, portraying these traits as heroic.
Randy Pausch's quote celebrates the virtue of recognizing one's limitations in knowledge and the courage to seek understanding. He admires those who, rather than pretending to know everything, acknowledge what they do not know and actively work to learn more, suggesting that this mindset is particularly valuable in the academic realm. Pausch wishes for all graduate students to adopt this attitude, as it fosters growth, humility, and a deeper appreciation for knowledge.
In practice
During a graduation speech to inspire students to embrace lifelong learning.
Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun.
I'm attempting to put myself in a bottle that will one day wash up on the beach for my children.
It's hard to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer - people who get it don't live long enough.
Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want
Cancer didn't change me at all. I know lots of people talk about the life revelation. I didn't have that.
I think that we all stand on the dartboard of life. Roughly 30,000 people a year are going to catch a dart labeled pancreatic cancer, and that's unfortunate. It's not what I would have chosen. But I in no way feel like I deserved it.
It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure.
I know that my books are worthy, which is separate from me.
The mid-day sun is too much for most eyes; one is dazzled even with its reflection. Be careful that too broad and high an aim does not paralyze your effort and clog your springs of action.
Ignorance is not a simple lack of knowledge but an active aversion to knowledge, the refusal to know, issuing from cowardice, pride, or laziness of mind.
As for disappointing them I should not so much mind; but I can't abide to disappoint myself.
Never ask people about your work.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.