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Jensen Huang's Graduation Speech: 'I Wish You Pain and Suffering'

By Jensen Huang · Mindset & Career · 1 min read

Most commencement speakers wish graduates happiness. Jensen Huang wished them suffering instead.

Key Points

Passion connected to happiness misses the point entirely
Nothing great was ever easy to build. Suffering is the price of greatness.
Joy doesn't have to define a good day. Loving the mission is what matters.

I wish upon you greatness. Which by my way of saying it, I wish upon you plenty of pain and suffering.

Follow Your Passion. But Here's What's Missing.

Everyone says follow your passion. People hear that and think passion equals happiness. Jensen Huang says that's incomplete.

When you build something great, you won't enjoy every day. Some days are miserable. Some years are miserable.

Passion doesn't mean happiness. It means endurance.

Not Every Day Brings Joy

Huang doesn't love every day of running NVIDIA. He's not happy about the company every year. But he loves the company every single second.

There's a difference between loving the mission and enjoying the work. The first is required. The second is a bonus.

He's not happy every day. He loves the company every second.

The Price of Greatness

Nothing great was easy to build. You have to suffer. Struggle. Push through things that make you want to quit.

That's not a bug. That's the process. The suffering is what makes the achievement meaningful.

Nothing great was ever easy. The suffering IS the process.

The Standing Ovation

Huang ended his speech with five words that got a standing ovation. 'I wish upon you greatness.' Then the twist.

'Which by my way of saying it -- I wish upon you plenty of pain and suffering.' The crowd erupted.

Greatness = pain and suffering. The crowd stood and cheered.