I'm not trying to win a popularity poll. I'm trying to win football games.
Woody HayesRead
Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.
Interpretation
This quote highlights the importance of earning what one receives, particularly respect, to foster true value in individuals.
Woody Hayes emphasizes that giving unearned rewards to individuals diminishes their worth and value. He specifically points out that children should earn not only material possessions but also respect, which is fundamental for their self-esteem and personal growth. This philosophy promotes the notion that hard work and effort cultivate genuine respect and character.
In practice
In a motivational speech about self-discipline and respect for achievements.
I'm not trying to win a popularity poll. I'm trying to win football games.
Nobody despises to lose more than I do. That's got me into trouble over the years, but it also made a man of mediocre ability into a pretty good coach.
The minute I think I'm getting mellow, I'm retiring. Who ever heard of a mellow winner?
I don't apologize for anything. When I make a mistake, I take the blame and go on from there. I just despise to lose, and that has taken a man of mediocre ability and made a pretty good coach out of him.
The only thing even in this world is the number of hours in a day. The difference in winning or losing is what you do with those hours.
There's nothing in this world that comes easy. There are a lot of people who aren't going to bother to win. We learn in football to get up and go once more.
Controversy is only dreaded by the advocates of error.
All your scholarship, all your study of Shakespeare and Wordsworth would be in vain, if at the same time you do not build your character, and attain mastery over your thoughts and actions.
Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place.
If I meet other people and criticize their weaknesses, I rob myself of higher cognitive power. But if I try to enter deeply and lovingly into another person's good qualities, I gather in that force.
Ignorance of one's misfortunes is clear gain.
It's not necessary to tell all you know. It's not ladylike -- in the second place, folks don't like to have someone around knowin' more than they do. It aggravates them. Your not gonna change any of them by talkin' right, they've got to want to learn themselves, and when they don't want to learn there's nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.
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