Kindness: A Commencement Speech

Commencement Speech

According to the dictionary kindness is the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. This seems quite adequate as a description, however, in our modern society, we are easily caught up in our ravels for success, for happiness, for love. Often so that we solemnly forget that leading a happy life is usually not possible without the kindness of others. It might not be possible to truly define what kindness is, even though the dictionary makes an attempt, and perhaps it is not even necessary. However, it is definitely something we notice when it goes missing. It might not be the same immediate reaction as when we lose our phones or keys, but going about in our busy lives while forgetting kindness will eventually be the ultimate regret in the pursuit for happiness. This is reflected and elaborated amiably upon by Professor George Saunders in the Commencement Address he gave in 2013 at Syracuse University, New York, where he states ones of his biggest regrets, a failure of kindness.

George Saunders is a respected professor and graduate from Syracuse University as well as a recognised author of many genres. This position and the authority it has equips him with quite a big ethos, however, his ethos can also be found in his general knowledge of life. At the time of the speech he was “some old fart, his best years behind him, who, over the course of his life, has made a series of dreadful mistakes (that would be me) […]” (p. 8, ll.3-6). His age