Author and Illustrator
Bates College, 2007
Eric Carle, a renowned writer and designer widely celebrated for his iconic children's book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," shared his creative insights and storytelling prowess during his commencement address at Bates College in 2007.
10 top life lessons by Eric Carle
- Following your dream and listening to your inner voice are essential, even if your path may seem unconventional.
- Neglecting a well-rounded education while pursuing your dream can have unforeseen drawbacks, emphasizing the importance of balance.
- Success is not guaranteed in the pursuit of your dreams; be prepared for setbacks and challenges along the way.
- Acknowledge the significant role luck plays in your journey, and be open to seizing fortunate opportunities.
- Age should not limit the pursuit of your dreams; the speaker found success in publishing their first book at the age of 39.
- Recognize the impact of others, such as a good editor, and unexpected sources of inspiration in your creative process.
- Embrace kindness as a guiding principle in your interactions with others, echoing the wisdom of Kurt Vonnegut.
- Wise advice suggests simplifying life, slowing down, and finding joy in personal connections, love, and the arts.
- Enrich your life by including various forms of art – music, paintings, theater, dance, and an appreciation for nature’s beauty.
- Cherish the simple joys, find humor in life, and appreciate amusing anecdotes that bring lightness to your journey.
Best quotes of Eric Carle‘s speech
"Be kind to others. This is the conclusion of the wise old man on top of the mountain."Video of Eric Carle‘s Commencement speech at Bates College
Commencement speech transcript
Following that dream, listening to that little voice, does not guarantee success. I must really emphasize that. Luck is an ingredient not to be overlooked
Much disqualifies me from receiving this honorary degree from Bates, or from dispensing advice to you. I was a poor student who hated school [laughter] and dropped out of high school at the age of 16. But what does qualify me to stand before you was my unerring confidence that when I grew up I would draw pictures. I was maybe 4 or 5 years old when I knew that, long before I knew the word “artist.”
Today, we call that following your dream, or listening to your inner voice. I encourage you not to silence that inner voice. At the same time, I must warn you that following your dream comes with a price. In my case, since I knew I would draw pictures, I didn’t feel the need to learn math, chemistry, Latin, etc., etc. That turned out to be a big drawback, and I regret that.
Also, following that dream, listening to that little voice, does not guarantee success. I must really emphasize that. Luck is an ingredient not to be overlooked. I was lucky; a lucky later bloomer. One day Bill Martin Jr. asked me to illustrate his Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See after he had seen one of my illustrations for an advertisement. A couple of years later, I wrote my first own book, and I was very careful not to use words. It is called 1, 2, 3 to the Zoo. At that time, I was 39 years old.
Soon afterwards, I absent-mindedly punched holes with a hole puncher into a stack of papers. The holes made me think of a bookworm, and, with the help of my good editor, the bookworm became a caterpillar. [applause] It was published when I was 40 years old. You see, a good editor, a hole puncher in good working order, and a little bit of luck take you a long way [laughter].
If I had another piece of advice to give, it would be this: Be kind to others. This is the conclusion of the wise old man on top of the mountain. Kurt Vonnegut gave the same advice: Be kind. Love your partner and tend your garden, said another philosopher toward the end of his life. Simplify, slow down, be kind. And don’t forget to have art in your life — music, paintings, theater, dance, and sunsets.
Being an author brings with it letters from his audience, and here are two of my favorites. A boy in Texas, and I live in Massachusetts, writes: “I wish I could visit you, but I’m not allowed to cross the street” [laughter]. Another of my all-time favorites: “Our teacher made us read all of your books. Will you ever retire?” [laughter]. With that, I will retire from my little speech, and good luck.