"Don’t be afraid to be a fool. Remember, you cannot be both young and wise. Young people who pretend to be wise to the ways of the world are mostly just cynics. Cynicism masquerades as wisdom, but it is the farthest thing from it. Because cynics don’t learn anything. Because cynicism is a self-imposed blindness, a rejection of the world because we are afraid it will hurt us or disappoint us. Cynics always say no. But saying yes begins things. Saying yes is how things grow. Saying yes leads to knowledge. "Yes" is for young people. So for as long as you have the strength to, say yes."
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Comedians from the United StatesTelevision personalitiesProducers from the United StatesActors from Washington, D.C.Hampden–Sydney College alumni
Original Language: English
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Sources
Knox College commencement address (3 June 2006)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stephen_Colbert
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Stephen Colbert
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