Top 400 John Wooden Quotes (2024 Update)
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51. “If we fail to adapt, we fail to move forward.”

— John Wooden

52. “A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.”

— John Wooden

53. “Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly.”

— John Wooden

54. “Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable.”

— John Wooden

55. “Be observing constantly. Stay open-minded. Be eager to learn and improve.”

— John Wooden

56. “Young people need models, not critics.”

— John Wooden

57. “Never lie; never cheat; never steal. Don’t whine; don’t complain; don’t make excuses.”

— John Wooden

58. “Kindness makes for much better teamwork.”

— John Wooden

59. “Apply yourself everyday to just becoming a little bit better.”

— John Wooden

60. “If we magnified blessings as much as we magnify disappointments, we would all be much happier.”

— John Wooden

61. “Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day.”

— John Wooden

62. “It takes time to create excellence. If it could be done quickly, more people would do it.”

— John Wooden

63. “Tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember a story.”

— John Wooden

64. “All of life is peaks and valleys. Don’t let the peaks get too high and the valleys too low.”

— John Wooden

65. “A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player. Losing yourself in the group, for the good of the group, that’s teamwork.”

— John Wooden

66. “If you stay intent and your ability warrants it, you will eventually reach the top of the mountain.”

— John Wooden

67. “Adaptability is being able to adjust to any situation at any given time.”

— John Wooden

68. “Don’t whine, complain, or make excuses.”

— John Wooden

69. “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.”

— John Wooden

70. “Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone.”

— John Wooden

71. “Don’t measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.”

— John Wooden

72. “Fairness is giving all people the treatment they earn and deserve. It doesn’t mean treating everyone alike.”

— John Wooden

73. “There is no substitute for work. Worthwhile results come from hard work and careful planning.”

— John Wooden

74. “Great leaders are always out front with a banner, instead of behind with a whip.”

— John Wooden

75. “You haven’t taught until they’ve learned.”

— John Wooden

76. “If you do enough small things right, big things can happen.”

— John Wooden

77. “Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you.”

— John Wooden

78. “Never try to be better than somebody else. But most importantly, never cease trying to be the best you can be.”

— John Wooden

79. “Respect a man, and he will do all the more.”

— John Wooden

80. “You have to apply yourself each day to becoming a little better. By becoming a little better each and every day, over a period of time, you will become a lot better.”

— John Wooden

81. “The more concerned we become over the things we can’t control, the less we will do with the things we can control.”

— John Wooden

82. “Leadership is the ability to get individuals to work together for the common good and the best possible results while at the same time letting them know they did it themselves.”

— John Wooden

83. “Don’t permit fear of failure to prevent effort. We are all imperfect and will fail on occasions, but fear of failure is the greatest failure of all.”

— John Wooden

84. “Respect every opponent, but fear none.”

— John Wooden

85. “A strong leader accepts blame and gives the credit. A weak leader gives blame and accepts the credit.”

— John Wooden

86. “There are no big things, only a logical accumulation of little things done at a very high standard of performance.”

— John Wooden

87. “Practice self-discipline and keep emotions under control. Good judgment and common sense are essential.”

— John Wooden

88. “If you get too engrossed and involved and concerned in regard to things over which you have no control, it will adversely affect the things over which you have control.”

— John Wooden

89. “It’s not how big you are, it’s how big you play.”

— John Wooden

90. “Never lie, never cheat, never steal.”

— John Wooden

91. “Big things are accomplished only through the perfection of minor details.”

— John Wooden

92. “There is no more powerful leadership tool than your own personal example.”

— John Wooden

93. “The team that makes the most mistakes usually wins, because doers make mistakes.”

— John Wooden

94. “Having the courage to make decisions and take action. Never be afraid to fail. You have nothing to fear if you have prepared to the best of your ability.”

— John Wooden

95. “The importance of repetition until automaticity cannot be overstated. Repetition is the key to learning.”

— John Wooden

96. “Your reputation is what you’re perceived to be, Your character is what you really are.”

— John Wooden

97. “Promise yourself you will talk health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible. Promise to think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best in yourself and others. Promise to forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future.”

— John Wooden

98. “Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings everyday.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

100. “We will begin by learning how to tie our shoes.”

— John Wooden