Woody Hayes Quotes

Around here, no one deserves anything. You have to earn it.

I never felt entitled to anything. I'm the hardest worker I know.

It is a waste of money to help those who show no desire to help themselves.

That's the way I got along in life. I don't ever remember being particularly jealous of anybody, because I figured if I can't do it myself, I don't deserve to get it.

I've earned everything I have; that's the attitude.

I want to earn it, I don't want anything given to me.

I really believe that you have to earn things. I don't feel comfortable unless I have worked really hard.

I've had smarter people around me all my life, but I haven't run into one yet that can outwork me. And if they can't outwork you, then smarts aren't going to do them much good. That's just the way it is. And if you believe that and live by it, you'd be surprised at how much fun you can have. “Any time you give a man something he doesn't earn, you cheapen him. Our kids earn what they get, and that includes respect.

Self-respect leads to self-discipline.

Don't ask for respect. Earn it.

I take pride in everything I do. I don't want to be handed anything. I want to earn it.

For me, you don't ever want to be defined by the color of your skin. You want to be defined by your work ethic, the person that you are, your character, your personality. That's what I've tried to go out and do.

I just think it is important that you realize, that you're the best in the world. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican or whether you're libertarian or whatever, you are the best. And we should not ever forget that. And when somebody does not do the job, we got to let them go.

And the greatest lesson that mom ever taught me though was this one. She told me there would be times in your life when you have to choose between being loved and being respected. Now she said to always pick being respected.

I think these days a lot of the younger generation feels that the world owes them something. But you've got to get off your backside and you've got to do all the crap stuff, too.

Don't feel entitled to anything you didn't sweat and struggle for.

If you want something you can have it, but you have to do some work. It's the ethic my mother brought me up with.

I am not a father who wants to give his kids everything. They have to earn it.

Respect for self is the beginning of cultivating virtue in men and women.

I am a firm believer in if you can't get it the old fashioned way, you don't need it.

The willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self-respect springs.

I intentionally built a business that has absolutely nothing to do with appearance.

You must be worthy of the best, but not more worthy than the rest.

Every man is the son of his own works.

Work alone is noble.