Quotes by John Wooden
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Ability is a poor man's wealth.

It isn't what you do, but how you do it.

I like to spend time in the past, with the things that have been important to me.

Love is the most important thing in the world. Hate, we should remove from the dictionary.

Somebody asked me -- you know, how come it took you so long to win a national championship? And I said, 'I'm a slow learner; but you notice when I learn something, I have it down pretty good.'

Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.

I worry that business leaders are more interested in material gain than they are in having the patience to build up a strong organization, and a strong organization starts with caring for their people.

I don't think I was a fine game coach. I'm trying to be honest. I think I was a good practice coach.

Defense is a definite part of the game, and a great part of defense is learning to play it without fouling.

I seldom was ever off my seat on the bench during the game.

I was built up from my dad more than anyone else.

Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone.

I talked to the players and tried to make them aware of what was good and bad, but I didn't try to run their lives.

I am just a common man who is true to his beliefs.

There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer.

When you hurry you're more apt to make mistakes. But you have to be quick. If you're not quick you can't get things done.

I'm glad I was a teacher.

What you are as a person is far more important than what you are as a basketball player.

You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one.

Just do the best you can. No one can do more than that.

Be prepared and be honest.

If there's anything you could point out where I was a little different, it was the fact that I never mentioned winning.

All of life is peaks and valleys. Don't let the peaks get too high and the valleys too low.

I met Tiger Woods when he was younger. He's amazing -- obviously technically, but his mental approach, too. He's really something.

Just try to be the best you can be; never cease trying to be the best you can be. That's in your power.

There's as much crookedness as you want to find. There was something Abraham Lincoln said -- he'd rather trust and be disappointed than distrust and be miserable all the time. Maybe I trusted too much.

Never lie, never cheat, never steal.

Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.

I'd rather have a lot of talent and a little experience than a lot of experience and a little talent.

We can have no progress without change, whether it be basketball or anything else.

Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.

Passion is momentary; love is enduring.

It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it.

Teaching players during practices was what coaching was all about to me.

Consider the rights of others before your own feelings, and the feelings of others before your own rights.

If a player's not doing the things he should, put him on the bench. He'll come around.

Well, your greatest joy definitely comes from doing something for another, especially when it was done with no thought of something in return.

I think you have to be what you are. Don't try to be somebody else. You have to be yourself at all times.

Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life.

Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you.

If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes.

Earn the right to be proud and confident.