Nine Insightful Reminders After the Passing of John Wooden

Generosity without ego is most genuine. "You can't live a perfect day until you do something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

Character counts most of all. "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."

Our most important competition is within ourselves. "Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."

There is no substitute for a commitment to excellence. "If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"

Perseverance is paramount. "Don't let what you can't do stop you from what you can do."

We never stop learning. "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."

Without risk, there is no real gain. "If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes."

It is how we handle the challenges that define us. "Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then."

There is no substitute for a positive attitude. "Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."