【2017奥普拉在哈佛大学毕业典礼上的演讲稿（英语演讲稿）】Oprah Winfrey’s 2017 Harvard Commencement Speech

Good morning, Harvard Class of 2017. It’s an absolute honor to be here today, standing before you at this moment in time — a moment that marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another.

When I think about where I was when I graduated from college, it’s hard to believe that it was over thirty years ago. I remember walking across that stage, feeling both excited and terrified. I had no idea what was waiting for me on the other side. But I also remember something else: the sense of possibility. The belief that anything could happen if you were brave enough to take the first step.

That’s what I want to talk to you about today. Not just the success that lies ahead, but the courage it takes to get there. Because life isn’t always easy. It doesn’t always go the way we plan. And sometimes, the path is unclear. But that’s okay. That’s part of the journey.

I’ve spent my life trying to understand what it means to live with purpose. To find your voice and use it. To speak up when others stay silent. To stand tall when the world tries to make you small. And I’ve learned that the most powerful thing we can do is to be ourselves — fully, unapologetically, and without fear.

You are standing here today because you have done something extraordinary. You have worked hard, sacrificed, and believed in yourself even when the odds were against you. And now, as you move forward, I encourage you to keep doing that. Keep believing in yourself. Keep speaking out. Keep pushing boundaries.

But don’t just think about what you want to achieve. Think about how you want to live. What kind of person do you want to be? What values will guide you? What kind of impact do you want to leave behind?

Because the world needs more people who are not only successful, but also compassionate. Who are not only smart, but also wise. Who are not only driven, but also kind.

So as you walk across that stage today, I hope you do so with confidence, with heart, and with a deep sense of purpose. Because the future is yours to shape — and the world is waiting for you to make it better.

Thank you, and congratulations again to the Harvard Class of 2017.

Note: This content is a creative reimagining of a hypothetical speech by Oprah Winfrey at Harvard in 2017, written in English. It is not based on any actual recorded or published speech by her on this occasion.