The Last Lecture Quotes

Quotes

"Just because you’re in the driver’s seat … doesn’t mean you have to run people over.’’

Randy’s father, chapter 4

Randy mentions his parents numerous times and he also mentions the way they educated him. His parents, his father in particular, taught Randy that he needs to be responsible and to use his power wisely. Randy’s father, who was an influential man, tried to use the power he had to influence the life of those around him for the better and thus he got involved in various charitable actions, trying to educate the children from undeveloped countries. But Randy’s father hoped that one day Randy will do the same things and thus he tried to teach his son how to be a responsible human being who uses his power in positive ways and who doesn’t try to oppress those who are beneath him.

"if you can dream it, you can do it.’’

Walt Disney, chapter 3

The quote from above is mentioned by Randy during his lecture and represents the principle after which he guided himself through life. Despite everything he had to endure, Randy did not give up and he chose instead to have a positive attitude and outlook on life. Instead of letting himself be affected by his illness, he chose to use it as a way of growing and proving that if someone wants to do something, they will find the means to do it no matter how hard or complicated the situation is.

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.’’

Randy’s father, chapter 3

While Randy chose to be positive, he also agrees that a person must accept the fate he was given. His father thought him that in his childhood by stressing the idea that it is not always possible to choose the conditions in which a person is born or if that person has certain debilitating problems. What that person can do instead is chose how to live their lives and they can either chose to let themselves be overwhelmed by the situation or adapt and do the best they can with the possibilities they had.

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