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Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.
Woody Hayes
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Interpretation

What this quote means

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.

Themes

EarnRespectValueChildrenHard Work

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about self-discipline and respect for achievements.

More from Woody Hayes

I'm not trying to win a popularity poll. I'm trying to win football games.
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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.
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The minute I think I'm getting mellow, I'm retiring. Who ever heard of a mellow winner?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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