John Keating (00:00):
Now, Mr. Pitts, it's a rather unfortunate name. Mr. Pitts, where are you? Mr. Pitts, will you open your hymnal to page 542. Read the first stanza of the poem you find here.
Mr. Pitts (00:16):
To the virgins, to make much of time?
John Keating (00:22):
Yes. That's the one. Somewhat appropriate, isn't it?
Mr. Pitts (00:28):
"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old time is still a flying, and this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying."
John Keating (00:36):
Thank you, Mr. Pitts. "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may." The Latin term for that sentiment is Carpe Diem. Now, who knows what that means?
Mr. Meeks (00:49):
Carpe Diem. That's "seize the day".
John Keating (00:52):
Very good. Mr.-
Mr. Meeks (00:52):
Meeks.
John Keating (00:53):
Meeks. Another unusual name. "Seize the day." "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may." Why does the writer use these lines?
Speaker 4 (01:05):
Because he's in a hurry.
John Keating (01:06):
No. Ding! Thank you for playing anyway. Because we are food for worms, lads. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day going to stop breathing, turn cold, and die.
(01:25)
I'd like you to step forward over here and peruse some of the faces from the past. You've walked past them many times. I don't think you've really looked at them. They're not that different from you, are they? Same haircuts. Full of hormones, just like you. Invincible, just like you feel. The world is their oyster. They believe they're destined for great things, just like many of you. Their eyes are full of hope, just like you. Did they wait until it was too late to make from their lives even one iota of what they were capable?
(02:04)
Because you see, gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen. Carpe. You hear it? Carpe Diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.