Quotes By John Wooden

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

I'd be satisfied just coaching in high school. I turned down a number of colleges when I was teaching in South Bend, Indiana, before I went into the service. I honestly believe that if I hadn't enlisted in the service, I would never have left high school teaching. I'm sure I would have never left.

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

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

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

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.

I'm glad I was a teacher.

Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

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

I think the teaching profession contributes more to the future of our society than any other single profession.

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

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

It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.

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

Young people need models, not critics.

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

Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone.

Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.

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.

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

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

I'm not afraid to die.

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

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

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

Well, if you're true to yourself you're going to be true to everyone else.

The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.

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

Success is peace of mind, which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.