J.K. Rowling gave the 2008 commencement address at Harvard University.
Rowling spoke at Harvard's 357th Commencement on June 5, 2008. Her address centered on the benefits of failure and the importance of imagination, arguing that difficult experiences can reveal what people truly value and can strengthen empathy for others.
The speech was later published as Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination. The illustrated edition appeared in 2015, with proceeds supporting Lumos and Harvard University's financial-aid efforts.
The title comes from the closing idea of the address, in which Rowling encouraged graduates to use their opportunities responsibly. The event is sometimes confused with other university honors connected with Rowling, including honorary degrees. Harvard's commencement speech was a public address to graduating students, while an honorary degree is a separate academic distinction.