The Denzel Washington Shrine — In His Words
Quotes & Wisdom
Denzel Washington does not just act. He speaks. His commencement speeches have been viewed millions of times. His interviews carry the weight of four decades of earned wisdom. The man speaks and the world takes notes.
Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.
You've got to take risks. You will fail at some point in your life. Accept it. You will lose. You will embarrass yourself. You will suck at something. There is no doubt about it.
But when you fall, fall forward.
The Complete Collection
Organized by theme. Motivation. The Craft. Life. Faith.
“Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success. You’ve got to take risks. You will fail at some point in your life. Accept it. You will lose. You will embarrass yourself. You will suck at something. There is no doubt about it.”
University of Pennsylvania Commencement, 2011
“Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. So keep moving. Keep growing. Keep learning.”
Dillard University Commencement, 2015
“Do what you have to do, to do what you want to do.”
The Great Debaters press tour
“I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you’re prepared for it.”
Interview, early 2000s
“You pray for rain, you gotta deal with the mud too. That’s a part of it.”
Interview
“Without commitment, you’ll never start. But more importantly, without consistency you’ll never finish.”
Speech
“Don’t just aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference.”
Dillard University Commencement, 2015
“If you don’t fail, you’re not even trying.”
Interview
“I’d be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I’d been given. I’d be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.”
Interview
“Goals on the road to achievement cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency.”
Speech
“Acting is just a way of making a living. The craft is something I take very seriously.”
Inside the Actors Studio
“I made a commitment to completely cut out drinking and anything that might hamper me from getting my mind and body together. And the next movie I releasing, I was nominated for an Academy Award.”
Interview
“In any profession it gets to be a grind. In baseball, you’ve got to grind through 162 games. In acting, you’ve got to grind through 400 takes.”
Interview
“My mother used to tell me, ‘Man gives the award, God gives the reward.’ I don’t need another plaque.”
60 Minutes Interview
“Put God first in everything you do. Everything that I have is by the grace of God. Understand that. It’s a gift.”
BET Awards Speech
“True desire in the heart for anything good is God’s proof to you sent beforehand to indicate that it’s yours already.”
Commencement Speech
“At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or what you’ve accomplished. It’s about what you’ve done with those accomplishments. It’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
“I’m not in competition with anybody but myself. My goal is to beat my last performance.”
Interview
“You’ll never see a U-Haul behind a hearse. You can’t take it with you. The Egyptians tried it — they got robbed.”
Commencement Speech
“Dreams without goals remain dreams and ultimately fuel disappointment. On the road to achieving your dreams, you must apply discipline but more importantly, consistency.”
NAACP Image Awards
“I think the point is to be in the mystery, not to know every answer. That’s living.”
Interview
“Nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nelson Mandela said, ‘There is no passion to be found playing small.’”
University of Pennsylvania, 2011
“I’d rather have a million dollars in my character than in my bank account.”
Speech
“The chances you take, the people you meet, the people you love, the faith that you have. That’s what’s going to define you.”
Speech
“Hard work works. Working really hard is what successful people do.”
Interview
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions About the Quotes
What is Denzel Washington’s most famous quote?
"Fall forward" from his 2011 University of Pennsylvania commencement speech is his most widely shared quote. It encapsulates his philosophy: failure is not the opposite of success, it is a component of it. The speech has been viewed millions of times.
Does Denzel Washington give motivational speeches?
Yes. Denzel is one of the most sought-after commencement speakers in America. His speeches at the University of Pennsylvania (2011) and Dillard University (2015) are considered among the greatest commencement addresses ever delivered.
What does 'ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship' mean?
Denzel is saying that comfort is more dangerous than difficulty. When things are hard, you fight. When things are easy, you become complacent. The quote is a call to stay hungry, stay disciplined, and never mistake comfort for achievement.
Is Denzel Washington religious?
Yes. Denzel Washington is a devout Christian and frequently references his faith in speeches and interviews. He has spoken about nearly becoming a preacher. His faith informs his work ethic and his gratitude for his career.
Where can I watch Denzel Washington’s commencement speeches?
His most famous speeches are widely available on YouTube. The 2011 University of Pennsylvania address and the 2015 Dillard University address have been viewed millions of times and are considered essential viewing for anyone seeking motivation.
Does Denzel Washington practice what he preaches?
Absolutely. Four decades of consistent excellence. 2 Oscars. 10 nominations. A Tony. He has never stopped working, never stopped improving, never mailed in a performance. The quotes are not motivational platitudes. They are descriptions of how he has lived his life.
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