Saturday 28 November 2015

Mr. Keating's "Seize the Day" Speech

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may, old time is still aflying, and this same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be dying. (Mr. Keats, Dead Poets Society)

English teacher Mr. Keating, played by Robin Williams in the movie Dead Poets Society, gives the following inspirational lecture to his students:

"Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.  The Latin term for that sentiment is Carpe Diem.  Now who knows what that means?  Carpe Diem.  That's seize the day.  Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.  Why does the writer use these lines?  Because we are food for the 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.  

Now I would like to step forward over here and peruse some of the faces from the past.  You have walked past them many times.  I don't think you've really looked at them.  They're not very different form you,are they?  Same haircuts, full of hormones, just like you.  Invincible, just like you feel.  The world is your oyster.  They believe they are 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?  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.  Do you hear it?  [He whispers.] Carpe.  Carpe.  Carpe Diem.  Seize the day, boys.  Make your lives extraordinary."  








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