John Wooden quotes

“If I am through learning, I am through.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

“I don't believe in praying to win.”

— John Wooden

“I'm not going to say I was opposed to the Vietnam War. I'm going to say I'm opposed to war. But I'm also opposed to protests that deny other people their rights.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

“If I were a young coach today, I would be extremely careful in selecting assistants.”

— John Wooden

“You can do more good by being good than any other way.”

— John Wooden

“I'm glad I was a teacher.”

— John Wooden

“No one can really honestly be the very best, no one.”

— John Wooden

“Be prepared and be honest.”

— John Wooden

“Ability is a poor man's wealth.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

“Passion is momentary; love is enduring.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

“The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.”

— John Wooden

“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.”

— John Wooden

“I found golf was too time consuming, but I did enjoy it.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

“I think permitting the game to become too physical takes away a little bit of the beauty.”

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

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

— John Wooden

“You can lose when you outscore somebody in a game. And you can win when you're outscored.”

— John Wooden

“I don't believe in fate.”

— John Wooden

“I'm not afraid to die.”

— John Wooden