Oprah Winfrey Delivers Commencement Speech at Agnes Scott College‬‬: 'You're Nothing If You're Not the Truth'

Oprah Winfrey had some words of wisdom for students who graduated from college today.

The 63-year-old media proprietor and talk show host delivered her heartfelt commencement address at Agnes Scott College on Saturday (May 13) in Decatur, Ga.

“You’re nothing if you’re not the truth,” Oprah told the crowd. “I’ve made a living, I’ve made a life – I’ve made a fortune, really – all good! – from being true to myself. If I can leave you with any message today: The biggest reward is not financial benefits, though it’s really good, you can get a lot of great shoes! Those of you who have a lot of shoes know having a closet full of shoes doesn’t fill up your life. Living a life of substance can. Substance through your service.”

“I want you to work in your own way to change the world in respectful conversations with others,” she went on. “I want you to enter every situation aware of its context, open to hear the truth of others and most important, open to letting the process of changing the world change you. That is the spirit of constructive engagement.”

“You will get nowhere without a spiritual practice,” she added. “[That's] not necessarily religion. … Maybe it’s music, or dancing or just time for yourself to feed and nurture your own spirit.”

“I had to learn to feel with others, which is what it means to be compassionate,” she shared. “I feel with you. It means not only am I able to walk in your shoes, my heart beats with yours. I see myself in you.” (via The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and CNN)

To watch the speech, visit AJC.com.