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Quotes from John Wooden

Love is the most important thing in the world. Hate, we should remove from the dictionary.
~ 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 most important thing in the world is family and love.
~ John Wooden
I'm glad I was a teacher.
~ John Wooden
We can have no progress without change, whether it be basketball or anything else.
~ John Wooden
No one can really honestly be the very best, no one.
~ John Wooden
I think permitting the game to become too physical takes away a little bit of the beauty.
~ John Wooden
Although I wanted my players to work to win, I tried to convince them they had always won when they had done their best.
~ John Wooden
I always tried to make clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we are on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere.
~ John Wooden
Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts.
~ John Wooden
Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.
~ John Wooden
You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.
~ John Wooden
Young people need models, not critics...
~ 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
Don't mistake activity with achievement.
~ John Wooden
The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching.
~ John Wooden
If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?
~ John Wooden
The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.
~ John Wooden
Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.
~ John Wooden
Never make excuses. Your friends don't need them and your foes won't believe them.
~ John Wooden
Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference.
~ John Wooden
Be true to yourself. Make each day your masterpiece. Help others. Drink deeply from good books. Make friendship a fine art. Build a shelter against a rainy day. Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.
~ 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
It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.
~ John Wooden