My character is self-important, poorly informed, well-intentioned but an idiot. So we said, `Let's give him a promotion.'
Northwestern's alumni list is truly impressive. This university has graduated best-selling authors, Olympians, presidential candidates, Grammy winners, Peabody winners, Emmy winners, and that's just me!
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the impressive achievements of Northwestern University's alumni, showcasing pride in one's own association with such a legacy.
In this quote, Stephen Colbert humorously reflects on the illustrious accomplishments of graduates from Northwestern University, emphasizing his own place among notable figures such as authors, Olympians, and award winners. This expression of pride not only celebrates the university's legacy but also adds a personal touch that hints at self-deprecating humor, making a light-hearted yet meaningful connection between individual success and collective achievement.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a commencement speech to inspire graduates.
More from Stephen Colbert
All quotes →Luckily, a recent survey published in the American Sociological Review revealed that atheists are the least trusted group in America—less trusted, even, than homosexuals. It makes sense at least we trust the homosexuals with our hair.
And when those bombs went off, there were runners who, after finishing a marathon, kept running for another two miles to the hospital to donate blood. So, here's what I know - these maniacs may have tried to make life bad for the people of Boston, but all they can ever do, is show just how good those people are.
My father always wanted to be 'Col-bear.' He lived in the same town as his father, and his father didn't like the idea of the name with the French pronunciation. So my father said to us, 'Do what you want. You're not going to offend anybody.' And he was dead long before I made my decision.
I may be just an empty flesh terminal reliant on technology for all my ideas, memories and relationships, but I am confident that all of that everything that makes me a unique human being is still out there somewhere, safe in a theoretical storage space owned by giant, multinational corporations.
And that brings us to tonight's word: Truthiness. Now I'm sure some of the word-police, the 'wordanistas' over at Websters, are gonna say, 'Hey, that's not a word!' Well, anybody who knows me knows that I am no fan of dictionaries or reference books. They're elitist. Constantly telling us what is or isn't true, what did or didn't happen.
Similar quotes
Although spoken English doesn't obey the rules of written language, a person who doesn't know the rules thoroughly is at a great disadvantage.
Islam tells us every girl and boy should be educated. I don't know why the Taliban have forgotten it.
You have to dream. We all have to dream. Dreaming is OK. Imagine me teaching from space, all over the world, touching so many peoples lives. Thats a teachers dream! I have a vision of the world as a global village, a world without boundaries. Imagine a history teacher making history!
Free the child's potential, and you will transform him into the world.
Going back to my film education, I always have that voice in my head that's always screaming, 'Sell out!' And that's good: you want that, because it keeps you on your toes, and it's important to remember what's actually important.
Young film makers should learn how to deal with the money and learn how to deal with the power structure. Because it is like a battle.