Skip To Content

    17 Life Lessons Oprah Learned From Doing "Master Class"

    The queen of all media reveals the Master Class words of wisdom — from Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Nicks, and others — that have struck a chord deep within her.

    Over the more than three decades of her career, Oprah Winfrey has shared more than a few inspirational quotes with her rapt audience, transforming lives and people's outlook on the world. But what words of wisdom have resonated with Winfrey herself?

    To answer that question, BuzzFeed asked the OWN chairman and CEO to mine past seasons of Oprah's Master Class, which returns for a fourth season on Sunday, May 11, at 10 p.m. on OWN, to come up with her favorite life lessons.

    "What we've learned from 'The Masters,' as I call them, is that everybody has a story and there's something to be learned from every experience," Winfrey said. "When we were dreaming up the idea of OWN, I wanted to create a series where we would be able to offer some of the most iconic artists of our time a chance to share what they know for sure about being human. And I'm proud to say we have been very fortunate to have gotten some of the biggies to share their life lessons."

    She added, "It was difficult to choose, but here are some of my favs ... maybe they are exactly what you need to hear right now to inspire you to follow your dream, whatever they may be, and stay on your path."

    Justin Timberlake

    “You’re not meant to do what is easy. You’re meant to challenge yourself."

    Lenny Kravitz

    “Love when you really don’t even feel like it. It’s not about your mood and how you feel, it’s about the commitment to love.”

    Jon Bon Jovi

    “Anytime that you think you’ve hit the top of the mountain, the truth of the matter is you've just reached another mountain, and it's there to climb over again.”

    Jay Z

    “Knowing who you are, that’s the foundation of everything great.”

    Stevie Nicks

    "Here's the truth — I know this for sure — we are not defined by the challenges in our lives, but how we face them.”

    Jane Fonda

    “Many decades it took me to learn to not be afraid of saying how I feel, and to allow my vulnerabilities to show — we are not meant to be perfect, we’re meant to be whole.”

    Tom Brokaw

    “Don’t be afraid to do something unconventional, to take a chance, to risk something.”

    Diane Sawyer

    "Just wake up curious."

    Morgan Freeman

    "Follow your own muse. Always."

    Ted Turner

    “If you treat people with dignity, respect, and friendliness, you can turn enemies into friends and the enemy is nothing but a friend in disguise.”

    Susan Sarandon

    “Be as authentic in your life as you can. And as truthful as you can.”

    Goldie Hawn

    “The beauty of getting older is the surprise of what else you can do to make the world a better place with the wisdom that you've accrued over those years.”

    Alicia Keys

    “Follow it [your light] and know it’s going to lead you where you’re meant to go.”

    Diahann Carroll

    “Nobody can make you extremely happy but you.”

    Grant Hill

    “You constantly want to push yourself and challenge yourself. And through competition ... you’re discovering more about yourself.”

    Reba McEntire

    “There's a lot of power in putting it out in the universe. It's telling your subconscious mind, ‘This is what's gonna happen.’"

    Maya Angelou

    “My grandmother told me, 'When you get, give. When you learn, teach.’ These are lessons to live by.”

    The fourth season of Oprah's Master Class premieres this Sunday, May 11, at 10 p.m. on OWN.