John Wooden Quotes
Born: October 14, 1910
John Wooden, the legendary UCLA basketball coach, transcended sports to become a revered philosopher of life and leadership. Known as the Wizard of Westwood, his unparalleled success—ten NCAA championships in twelve years—was rooted not in winning, but in his profound Pyramid of Success. Wooden taught that true greatness came from relentless effort, character, and the quiet dignity of doing one’s best. His wisdom, drawn from his Indiana farm upbringing and decades of mentorship, resonates because it speaks to universal truths: the importance of preparation, integrity, and finding joy in the journey. His quotes remain a timeless compass for anyone seeking purpose, resilience, and a life well-lived.
John Wooden Quotes (72)
"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful."
— John Wooden"If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes."
— John Wooden"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"
— John Wooden"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming."
— John Wooden"Passion is momentary; love is enduring."
— John Wooden"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
— John Wooden"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen."
— John Wooden"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
— John Wooden"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."
— John Wooden"It's not so important who starts the game but who finishes it."
— John Wooden"Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life."
— John Wooden"Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books - especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day."
— John Wooden"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts."
— John Wooden"Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you."
— John Wooden"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
— John Wooden"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
— John Wooden"Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be."
— John Wooden"Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone."
— John Wooden"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."
— John Wooden"Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then."
— John Wooden"Never mistake activity for achievement."
— John Wooden"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."
— John Wooden"It isn't what you do, but how you do it."
— John Wooden"The most important thing in the world is family and love."
— John Wooden"Discipline yourself, and others won't need to."
— John Wooden"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
— John Wooden"A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment."
— John Wooden"Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability."
— John Wooden"We can have no progress without change, whether it be basketball or anything else."
— 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