Explore Quotes by John Wooden

I'm no wizard, and I don't like being thought of in that light at all. I think of a wizard as being some sort of magician or something, doing something on the sly or something, and I don't want to be thought of in that way.

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.

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 was built up from my dad more than anyone else.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My eyesight is not nearly as good. My hearing is probably going away. My memory is slipping too. But I'm still around.

I'm glad I was a teacher.

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

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.

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

Ability is a poor man's wealth.

Earn the right to be proud and confident.

When you hurry you're more apt to make mistakes. But you have to be quick. If you're not quick you can't get things done.

There's as much crookedness as you want to find. There was something Abraham Lincoln said - he'd rather trust and be disappointed than distrust and be miserable all the time. Maybe I trusted too much.

Passion is momentary; love is enduring.