Chief Justice Roberts speaks to 9th grade graduation class
In June, 2017, the graduation class at Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire was host to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts who was invited to address the ninth-grade graduation class. His son was a member of the class. Although a private boarding school, Roberts told the students they were privileged to attend the school, but not “to act like it.” Excerpts from his speech speak volumes in today’s society.
“From time to time in the years to come, I hope you will be treated unfairly so that you will come to know the value of justice. I hope that you will suffer betrayal, because that will teach you the importance of loyalty. Sorry to say, but I hope you will be lonely from time to time, so that you don’t take friends for granted.”
“I wish you bad luck—again, from time to time—so that you will be conscious of the role of chance in life, and understand that your success is not completely deserved, and that the failure of others is not completely deserved, either.”
“And when you lose, as you will, from time to time, I hope every now and then your opponent will gloat over your failure as a way for you to understand the importance of sportsmanship. I hope you will be ignored, so you know the importance of listening to others. And I hope you will have just enough pain to learn compassion.”
We’ll leave it at that. Nothing further needs to be said.
Photo via YouTube
