Quotes from Randy Pausch

I'm sorry. It's my fault. How do I make it right?

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.

Put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others.

Never make a decesion until you have to". He'd also warn me that even if I was in a position of strenght, whether at work or in a relationship, I had to play fair. "Just because you're in the driver's seat, doesn't mean you have to run people over.

Never make a decision until you have to.

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.

Engineering isn't about perfect solutions; it's about doing the best you can with limited resources.

Fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals. You've got to get the fundamentals down because otherwise the fancy stuff isn't going to work.

Have something to bring to the table, because that will make you more welcome.

Throughout my academic career, I'd given some pretty good talks. But being considered the best speaker in the computer science department is like being known as the tallest of the Seven Dwarfs.

Proper apologies have three parts: 1) What I did was wrong. 2) I feel badly that I hurt you. 3) How do I make this better?

there should be some lessons learned and how you can use the stuff you hear today to achieve your dreams or enable the dreams of others. And as you get older, you may find that "enabling the dreams of others" thing is even more fun.

Coach Graham rode you pretty hard, didn't he?" he said. I could barely muster a "yeah." That's a good thing," the assistant told me. When you're screwing up and nobody says anything to you anymore, it means they've given up on you.

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand. If I don't seem as depressed or morose as I should be, sorry to disappoint you.

It's not about the cards you're dealt, but how you play the hand.

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".

Just because you're in the driver's seat, doesn't mean you have to run people over.

No job should, be beneath us. And if you can't(or won't) sort mail, Where is the proof that you can do anything?

My coach knew there was only one way to develop (self esteem): You give children something they can't do, they work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the process.

If you're going to have childhood dreams you should have great parents who let you pursue them and express your creativity

Kids need to know their parents love them. Their parents don't need to be alive for that to happen.

But I want her to grow up knowing that I was the first man ever to fall in love with her. I'd always thought the father/daughter thing was overstated. But I can tell you, sometimes, she looks at me and I just become a puddle.

There are more ways than one to measure profits and losses.