Randolph Frederick Pausch (October 23, 1960 – July 25, 2008) was an American professor of computer science, human–computer interaction, and design at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls aren't there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want things.
Find the best in everybody, no matter how long you have to wait for them to show it
I'm dying, and I'm having fun.
You will need to find your passion. Don't give up on finding it because then all you're doing is waiting for the Reaper.
We've placed a lot of emphasis in this country on the idea of people's rights. That's how it should be, but it makes no sense to talk about rights without also talking about responsibilities.
What he said was: "You obviously don't know where the bar should be, and you're only going to do a disservice by putting it anywhere. " And boy was that good advice. Because what he said was, you obviously don't know where the bar should be, and you're only going to do them a disservice by putting it anywhere.
Apologies are not passfail.
Get a feedback loop and listen to it. . . When people give you feedback, cherish it and use it.
What is the most appropriate thing to say to a friend who was about to die. He answered:”tell your friend that in his death, a part of you dies and goes with him. Whenever he goes, you also g. He will not be alone".
Remember how quickly our field [computer science] changes. That's why you want to focus on learning things that don't change: how to work well with other people, how to carefully assess a client's real - as opposed to perceived - needs, and things like that.
Never lose the child like wonder. It’s just too important. It’s what drives us. Help others.
I was hugely impressed. . . was the ultimate example of a man who knew what he didn't know, was perfectly willing to admit it, and didn't want to leave until he understood. That's heroic to me. I wish every grad student had that attitude.
I know that people in research labs can do miraculous things if they're given the resources.
A coach yells at the kid he thinks can improve but the coach will not yell at the kid who heshe knows won't.
The key question to keep asking is, Are you spending your time on the right things? Because time is all you have.
Never give up: There are certain times that you think, 'OK, you have beaten me down to my knees. And now the challenge is, I am on my knees and you keep on beating me down. And the question is, are you going to keep beating me all the way to the ground or will I find a way to struggle my way back on to my feet.
You can't control the cards you're dealt, just how you play the hand.
It's not about how to achieve your dreams, it's about how to lead your life,. . . If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself, the dreams will come to you.
Develop a good filing system.
Believe nothing a man tells you and everything he shows you". . . . (Taken from a farewell video from a dying father to his infant daughter on dating)