Wisdom from the Hardwood

Much of what I have learned in life, I learned in the context of being around coaches trying to get young men to compete effectively.  Here are the most important words of wisdom from the hardwood that I have heard.


"Confrontation simply means meeting the truth head-on." Coach Mike Krzyzewski

"It is not that will to win that is most important, but the will to prepare to win that is." Coach Bobby Knight

"The strong take from the weak, but the smart take from the strong." Coach Pete Carril

"You haven't taught until they have learned." Coach John Wooden


There are obviously many others that can be drawn for other basketball coaches, but also from other sports as well as other human endeavors.  What are your favorite quotes that attempt to communicate basic truths and inspire individuals to discovery their competitive advantage?

Comments

[Brian Pitt]

Didn't want to get too intellectual; but here are two of my favorites relating to competitiveness and purpose:

"We shall not grow wiser until we realize that much that we have done was very foolish."

(Friedrich Hayek)

"Being black does not free you from becoming a responsible individual."

(Lawrence Fishburne)

[Lewis]

The secret of winning football games is working more as a team, less as individuals. I play not my 11 best, but my best 11. Knute Rockne

[Lewis]

I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.
- Thomas Jefferson

[Rafe Champion]

"Dont die with the music in you" the title of a book by Wayne Bennett, most successful current rugby league coach.
http://www.dotlit.qut.edu.au/reviews/die.html

'Bennett gives readers the chance to adopt a winning attitude that is applicable to all areas of life. A child of a broken home and the father of two disabled children, Wayne's own stories are filled with a truth and integrity that is nothing short of inspirational. He shares his wisdom on subjects such as mateship, self confidence, discipline and family values, and throughout the text endeavours to put across a message he believes is applicable to everybody. "Not everyone in sport can win. For some the only prize can be the character they have built within. It can also be the greatest prize of all."'

[Rafe Champion]

"Winning starts on Monday" said by rugby league coach Jack Gibson, when games were mostly played on Sunday.