Steve Jobs' Commencement Speech: Apple Founder Speaks To Stanford Graduates (VIDEO)

A commencement address that Steve Jobs gave to Stanford University's class of 2005 has gained renewed interest with the announcement on Wednesday of the Apple founder's resignation from the company he co-founded and helped grow into one of the most successful brands in the world.

Jobs, who never finished college, shared with the graduates what he learned from three major life events: dropping out of Reed College after one semester ("It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back, it one of the best decisions I ever made,"); getting fired from Apple in 1985 ("It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life,"); and being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004 ("Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.")

He concludes the speech by sharing with the graduates a phrase that he first saw on the back of the final issue of The Whole Earth Catalogue when he was the age of the graduates: "Stay hungry. Stay foolish."

"And I have always wished that for myself," Jobs says, "And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish."

The commencement speech has become a classic, and the version uploaded by Stanford University in 2008 has been viewed nearly 5 million times.

Earlier this summer, Raisa Bogatyreva, the Ukrainian defense secretary, was accused of plagiarizing the speech.

WATCH: Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford University Commencement Address:

Comments

[patykins2]

06:34 AM on 08/28/2011

I hope Steve Jobs is okay. He's been the most incredible entrepreneur of our generation and his companies, the most important in the last century. . If he is ill, I wish him love and happiness as long as he has left. Our family had one of those first apple computers. I think back on how all my kids learned to love computers from that 80's box. Thanks Steve for everything. And look my kid Danny up on the other side when it is your time to go. He'd love meeting you.

[Vic22]

04:40 PM on 08/26/2011

Its funny to me that companies started by people like Steve Jobs, or Mark Zuckerberg, or Sergey Brin and Larry Page (both who went to state schools, although Michigin is very highly regarded), only seem to recruit those who have done everything right, followed rules to a T, and graduated from the top 10 schools

[theveggiedude]

09:43 PM on 08/26/2011

It isn't that way when they begin. I noticed at several places I have worked for, that as soon as they begin to break free of the 'startup mode', a person like me would never had been hired, because the bar had been raised. Then I realize how lucky I was to be at the right place at the right time. It is sad, because a bloke like me helped get them off the ground with hard work, and now all of a sudden we are not any good now. I'm 10 weeks from my computer degree, so things will be a bit better for me going forward.

[nishioka]

02:11 AM on 08/27/2011

I'm not sure what the connection is since you mentioned Sergey Brin and Larry Page. Both of them have a master's degree Stanford. That sounds exactly like somebody who did everything right, followed rules to a T, and graduated from a top 10 school.

[layman]

10:38 AM on 08/26/2011

College isn't really that important, if you have a brilliant brain.

[pablitop]

09:08 AM on 08/26/2011

Great speech.

[v eyepete]

05:48 AM on 08/26/2011

Enough with this Steve Jobs worship already! I'm sick of this taking space on the front page when there is actual real news being ignored.

[buddhistMonkey]

08:03 AM on 08/26/2011

((( "I'm sick of this taking space on the front page when there is actual real news being ignored." )))

The most recent articles in your comment history are "Al Pacino Thanks Rappers for Loving 'Scarface'," and "Sarah Jessica Parker's Poster Begging To Be Photoshopped." Is that what you mean by "actual real news?"

[gdkzen]

09:40 AM on 08/26/2011

Nicely done.

[realpragmatist]

09:14 AM on 08/26/2011

Sir (or Miss), this needs a mention at least once on the first page when it happens. What is more American than the life and success of Steve Jobs against all odds? Other important news stories also need mention ALONG with this story at least once. I hope you also agree.

[MRB55]

03:22 AM on 08/26/2011

His comments about death are true and I'm sure mean a lot to him. A few years ago I had a close call and also thought I was going to die. My feelings and fears and plans for the day or next were my first thought each morning and a motivating force through out the day. But all can quickly be forgotten if you let go. Steve didn't let go!

[FZliveson]

03:19 AM on 08/26/2011

Steve Jobs' address inspires me at least once a month, when I watch it

[realpragmatist]

09:11 AM on 08/26/2011

Good idea. I am saving this speech to watch it whenever I need confidence and inspiration.

[gcali57]

03:01 AM on 08/26/2011

Some call him an arrogant, ego driven man... i saw an inspirational speech from an intelligent, soft spoken man- good luck Steve.

[Axekick]

04:05 AM on 08/26/2011

I always called him very similar. Unfortunately falling victim to Apple vs. PC, iPhone vs. Android, shutting him out as a foe due to differing opinions of technology. What I've seen and read if him in the past few days leaves me feeling ashamed and regretful. I always knew he was incredibily intelligent, artful and inspirational but never knew to what degree.

I too sincerely wish him and his loved ones the very best.

[crayola 08b]

08:14 AM on 08/26/2011

thanks, axekick, for admitting that. alot of people can't. and as an apple fanboy myself one thing i've noticed over the years is that many apple haters are totally ignorant not just of apple's history but the history of computing in the last 40 years in general, and the role steve and apple played in making personal computers, regardless of platform, ubiquitous. unfortunately it seems like it's taken steve's stepping down for people to do a little homework and find out that a big deal isn't being made about him because he created the iPod; these accomplishments go back decades and helped shape everything that's happening now in the world of personal computing.

[realpragmatist]

09:11 AM on 08/26/2011

It is wonderful that you are open minded and sincere, not to mention honest. If you think about the things Steve Jobs accomplished multiple times, leave alone once what he accomplished initially at Apple (which would qualify him by itself as a great entrepreneur) you would realize that he is one of the greatest creative minds and entrepreneurs, the stuff that the case studies in the best business schools are made of. We can't all be like him, but we can take inspiration from him to guide us in our lives to achieve success and satisfaction in our own small way.

[SnapShots]

02:48 AM on 08/26/2011

Entrepreneurs give some of the best speeches you'll ever hear.

[realpragmatist]

08:37 PM on 08/25/2011

The speech is so simple, yet so brilliant and effective. Thank you for everything Steve Jobs.

[irishinohio]

08:35 PM on 08/25/2011

Jobs says, "And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish."

This from the mouth of one of the biggest Corporations in the World.
There's some hope....well... there was in 2005...

[Wellington Mwerenga]

08:14 PM on 08/25/2011

Right to the point

[mariana st]

07:24 PM on 08/25/2011

an amazing and inspiring story!!!!