Steve Jobs Commencement Address at Stanford 2005(1) - Fast English Challenge

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The original text

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest
universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest
I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you.. a story.. from my life.
That's it. No big deal….
My story is about death.
When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was
your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and
since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked
myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do
today?' And whenever the answer has been 'No' for too many days in a row, I know I
need to change something.
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to
help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external
expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away
in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are
going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to
lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.