Priscilla Chan Quotes

Powerful Priscilla Chan for Daily Growth

About Priscilla Chan

Priscilla Chan, an accomplished philanthropist, medical researcher, and educator, was born on February 24, 1985, in Braintree, Massachusetts. Raised by Vietnamese immigrants, her parents instilled in her the values of hard work, education, and service to others. These principles would become the cornerstone of Chan's life. Chan pursued her undergraduate studies at Stanford University, where she majored in Materials Science and Engineering. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder of Facebook. Despite their high-profile relationship, Chan continued to focus on academics, earning a spot in the highly competitive Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology (HST) graduate program. In 2015, Chan and Zuckerberg announced the creation of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), a philanthropic organization aimed at advancing human potential and equality. Through CZI, they have made significant contributions to various sectors, including science, education, housing affordability, and justice and opportunity. In the realm of medical research, Chan's most notable work is the Biohub, a collaborative effort between CZI, UC Berkeley, Stanford University, and UCSF, aimed at curing diseases like cancer, HIV, and Alzheimer's. This project reflects her deep-rooted passion for science and her desire to improve human health. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Chan is also known for her book "The Path Forward: Our Mission to Live in a World Where Everyone Has a Chance," co-authored with Zuckerberg. The book outlines their vision for a more equitable society and serves as a guide for others who wish to make a positive impact on the world. Priscilla Chan continues to be an inspiring figure, combining her academic prowess, philanthropic efforts, and personal values to create meaningful change in the world. Her story serves as a testament to the power of education, hard work, and a commitment to making the world a better place for all.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The greatest lesson that a day in medicine has taught me is that every day is a gift and connection is the source of true joy."

This quote by Priscilla Chan highlights the profound impact of her medical career on her perspective of life. It suggests that each day, particularly within the context of medicine, can be precious and unpredictable, making them valuable gifts. Moreover, she emphasizes that connection – with patients, colleagues, or loved ones – is a crucial source of joy in life. This insight underscores the power of human relationships and empathy in creating meaning and fulfillment in our lives.


"We have to make the most out of our time here because it's an extraordinary privilege to be alive right now."

This quote by Priscilla Chan underscores the value and significance of life, emphasizing that being alive in the present moment is a unique opportunity and honor. It encourages us to seize each day as a chance to make a positive impact and live our lives to their fullest potential. The urgency behind her words serves as a reminder to embrace experiences, learn, grow, and contribute to society, recognizing that time is limited but our potential for greatness is not.


"You have the power to create change, to disrupt the ways things have been, and we should use that power thoughtfully and lovingly."

This quote by Priscilla Chan encourages individuals to recognize their potential for positive impact in society. She urges us to challenge the status quo with intelligence and empathy, emphasizing that change is not only possible but expected when harnessed responsibly and compassionately. In essence, she calls upon each person to use their power wisely and kindly to bring about a more just and equitable world.


"It is our collective and individual moral responsibility to act on climate change with the urgency that it requires."

This quote emphasizes the shared ethical obligation to address climate change promptly. It implies that every person, as well as society as a whole, has a duty not only to recognize the threat of global warming but also to take decisive action to mitigate its impact. The "urgency" mentioned underscores the need for immediate action, suggesting that procrastination or inaction on this critical issue is unacceptable.


"The future of our world depends on our ability to listen, connect, and empathize with each other — regardless of race, religion, or political belief."

This quote emphasizes the importance of understanding, compassion, and unity among diverse groups of people in shaping a better future for humanity. It suggests that bridging divides based on racial, religious, and political differences is crucial to ensuring global peace, cooperation, and progress. The implication is that empathy and meaningful connection foster mutual respect, tolerance, and collaboration, which are vital to overcoming challenges like inequality, conflict, and climate change. In essence, the quote highlights the role of empathy in fostering a more inclusive, harmonious, and resilient world.


My public school teachers did a great job of saying, 'Check this out. You're qualified for this. You should explore these opportunities.' They're the ones who said, 'You know, apply to Harvard. You might be a good fit here.'

- Priscilla Chan

Good, Here, Public School, Qualified

There are many philanthropists who we admire and have learned a great deal from, including mentors like Bill and Melinda Gates and peers like Cari Tuna and Dustin Moskovitz.

- Priscilla Chan

Deal, Tuna, Including, Philanthropists

Sharing our experience with pregnancy was incredibly important because we realized how challenging and difficult that was, and there are really dark moments where you think you're alone.

- Priscilla Chan

Think, Realized, Difficult, Pregnancy

We hope that others will also commit to giving generously and starting young.

- Priscilla Chan

Young, Will, Generously, Starting

When I began my practice, I said I'm going to be a pediatrician that really thinks about and understands a child's educational trajectory.

- Priscilla Chan

Practice, Began, Educational, Trajectory

We'll be investing in basic science research with the goal of curing disease.

- Priscilla Chan

Science, Goal, Disease, Curing

We have Beast, our Hungarian sheep dog. And he is so talented. He's so smart. He knows his daily schedule. He has an extracurricular activity. He goes herding. He herds sheep. And we've been told that he's quite gifted.

- Priscilla Chan

Activity, Been, Herding, Hungarian

We've invested in Newark's children, the schools and teachers, and these are long-term bets that need a number of years to really pan out. We've seen and learned how important it is to listen to the community and really get a sense of what they need and want. And it's a long journey.

- Priscilla Chan

Years, Seen, Newark, Pan

We live in Palo Alto, which has, fortunately, one of the greatest school districts in the country.

- Priscilla Chan

Which, School Districts, Alto

We try to stick pretty close to what our goals are and what we believe and what we enjoy doing in life - just simple things.

- Priscilla Chan

Enjoy, Doing, Pretty, Goals

It takes a long time to get good at something, so it's important to begin as early as possible so that we can improve and begin to see the compounding benefits of the work over time.

- Priscilla Chan

Work, Benefits, Over, Compounding

Luck is not scalable. Luck is not a national strategy.

- Priscilla Chan

Luck, National, Strategy

My identity, I felt, was so distinct. I felt very much like an outsider. My family didn't have the same rituals that everyone else seemed to have.

- Priscilla Chan

Like, Very, Everyone Else, Outsider

I just think that philanthropy is a fancy way to say that you care about others and that you want to serve others. And that's been a part of me for as long as I can remember.

- Priscilla Chan

Think, Fancy, Been, Philanthropy

Mama showed me that I didn't have to change just because someone else saw things differently. She showed me that having differences is normal and that I didn't have to be afraid of the differences in all of us.

- Priscilla Chan

Change, Normal, Having, Mama

My parents believed in the power of education.

- Priscilla Chan

Education, Parents, Power, Believed

You - and I have to remind myself of this - are capable beyond your wildest imagination.

- Priscilla Chan

Myself, Capable, Your, Remind

I think it's a shame when people don't see the funny, thoughtful Mark that I know. He is incredibly sensitive and really cares about what other people need and want and really wants to be able to make someone else's day. And that's the Mark that I see.

- Priscilla Chan

Shame, Other, I Think, Mark

I am a simple creature.

- Priscilla Chan

Simple, I Am, Am, Creature

I bossed my middle sister around all the time.

- Priscilla Chan

Time, Middle, Around, Sister

Education is an incredibly personal issue for me. If you're the first generation to go to college, sometimes you don't realize your potential until others point it out.

- Priscilla Chan

College, Generation, Issue, Potential

Teach for America has helped us understand what works and what doesn't.

- Priscilla Chan

Teach, Understand, Works, Helped

If bad things happen to you as a kid, it's hard for you to succeed as an adult.

- Priscilla Chan

Bad, Happen, Bad Things, Things Happen

We - the current generation - have a moral responsibility to make the world better for future generations.

- Priscilla Chan

Generation, World, Better, Current

I actually had a lot of very smart peers.

- Priscilla Chan

Very, Actually, Lot, Smart

I'd love a job at Facebook.

- Priscilla Chan

Love, Job, Facebook

We are all more capable than we could ever imagine or admit to.

- Priscilla Chan

More, Imagine, Ever, Admit

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