J.K. Rowling Speaks at Harvard Commencement

"Rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life". An honest and heartfelt Commencement Speech,one of the best I ever heard.

"There is an expire date for blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction." -JK Rowling. Thank you ma'am.

I first listened to this speech when I was fresh out of college, seeing the world from a naive lens. Now 10 years later, after I've failed epically in major aspects of life, I come back to this video again. This time, I cried over the fact that I haven't lost my love for the world. I actually love it more than ever.

"I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I REALLY was." Life-changing!

I think I was blown more away by the sincerity and humility with which she spoke than her speech itself- and the speech itself is already quite the gem.

I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I felt warm and I felt fear. You inspire me, I'm watching this in a moment of failure and hardship in my life, and I assure you, I won't give up, I will try and fail and keep trying until I get better and stronger. Thank you Rowling, you are truly a great person.

What a speech. Brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. "Rock bottom became a solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life" is such an inspiring statement.

Worth spending four years at Harvard for this speech ! There was magic in the manner she wove her words.

Her speaking sounds like her writing come to life. It's amazing.

There's a reason why the woman is worth almost a billion dollars for her words.

She’s one of the most well spoken and authentically profound women I’ve ever witnessed. She comes from humble beginnings and simply wants to make a difference and she was able to do so. I’m so happy she made it through to the other side.

It's been 13 years since she delivered this address and yet every word holds true even today..sheer brilliance..I am sure people would be looking this up in the distant future too since what she said is timeless and universal.

I love how she carried herself with humour and a look of confidence, even though she was completely terrified.

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

That made me cry, seriously we need more good people like her.

This is one of the most important, honest and beautiful speeches I have ever heard. I try to listen to this speech, several times, each year. Thank you JK Rowlings for this speech and your life. You have taught millions, so much. You are compassionate, empathetic, eloquent, hard working and a brilliant speaker and writer. "If you choose to use your status and influence, to raise your voice on behalf with those who have no voice, if you choose to identify the powerful, but also with the powerless. We carry all the power within ourselves. We have the power to imagine better". Thank you for your honest and this speech. From Alberta, Canada-Thank you.

Delivered with class, wisdom and intelligence. Inspirational.

Very disappointed in you, Joanne.

I have watched this replay many times more than 10 years ago. Also recommended to others. Rowling was reading from a transcript but it didn't take away the impact of the speech on the audience. Truly a great writer!

This speech is part of our syllabus in Telangana, India (OU) degree college, for nearly 12-24 marks. Really impressive speech.