Fresh off the heels of being an Internet meme sensation after attending Floyd Mayweather’s fight in Las Vegas, Denzel Washington gave a riveting commencement speech at Dillard University in New Orleans. Washington’s speech was filled with religious overtones but also gave students some basic fundamentals for life.
“Put God first in everything you do. Everything that I have is by the grace of God, understand that. It’s a gift. I didn’t always stick with him, but he stuck with me,” Washington told the students.
Washington told the Dillard grads that when it came to grades, like many college students, he wasn’t a perfect student, but he hoped that they didn’t follow his path. He shared his story of flunking out of college but then finally completing his degree at Fordham University.
Washington also implored students to make a difference, not just a paycheck, when it comes to their career goals.
“I don’t care how much money you make; you can’t take it with you. It’s not how much you have, it’s what you do with it,” Washington stated. Washington also advised students against focusing on material possessions. He used the old adage: “You will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse.”
Take a look at his speech below: