Words of wisdom for 2006 grads

After four years of textbooks, study sessions, and finals, graduates don caps and gowns and listen to one last lecture. This year, graduation speakers reminded students of the importance of individualism, the joy of taking risks, and that commencement, by definition, is only a beginning. Here are some of the pearls of wisdom passed along to the Class of '06:

Stephen Colbert
Comedian
Knox College, Galesburg, Ill.

You are about to start the greatest improvisation of all. With no script. No idea what's going to happen, often with people and places you have never seen before. And you are not in control. So say "yes." And if you're lucky, you'll find people who will say "yes" back.

Now will saying "yes" get you in trouble at times? Will saying "yes" lead you to do some foolish things? Yes, it will. But don't be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the furthest thing from it. Because cynics don't learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say "no." But saying "yes" begins things. Saying "yes" is how things grow. Saying "yes" leads to knowledge. "Yes" is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say "yes."

And that's The Word.

Viggo Mortensen
Actor
St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY

Whether you see yourselves as so-called "liberals," "conservatives," or some other political persuasion – or none at all – you now, by virtue of your liberal arts education, ought to be qualified to ask intelligent questions and not be intimidated or stifled by unreasoned arguments, no matter how forcefully [they are] presented. This, of course, goes for you non-US citizen graduates as well. I'm certainly not asking anyone to run out and burn down City Hall, or to necessarily engage in any overt protest. I simply advocate your continuing to explore being involved citizens. Don't ever be afraid to ask the question, "Why?" or as most small children do, to repeat that question as many times as you receive an unsatisfactory answer. Inquiring minds are essential to a healthy society and to making an individual art out of living.

With apologies to any Latin scholars for my pronunciation, I offer the following epigram: Ducunt volentum fata, nolentum trahunt. For non-Latin scholars, that translates as: "Fate leads those who are willing. The unwilling it drags."

Gretchen Cryer
Playwright, Actress
Colorado College, Colorado Springs

So let's assume you have prepared, that you have learned your craft, you have it in your bones, you are an athlete of God. How do you keep the channel open so that new ideas can come through you, so that you can make your contribution?

Well, first of all, you need to be operating from your authentic self – not somebody else's idea of who you should be. Not your parents' idea, not society's idea, not some media-created fantasy of who you should be. You need to understand that you have a right to be who you really are, with all your strengths and foibles. You have to own your own existence, your identity. Sometimes it's really hard to be your authentic self in the face of the expectations of others. You hate to disappoint; the pressure is great. But what the world needs is you – the real you.

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