Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Ego and Arrogance

Everyone has a certain amount of ego, but you must keep that ego under control. Ego is feeling confident and important, knowing you can do the job. But if you get to feeling that you are too important, that you’re indispensable, or that you can do the job without real effort and hard work, without the correct preparation, that’s arrogance. Arrogance is weakness. That’s why I like this poem:

Sometime when you’re feeling important,

Sometime when your ego’s in bloom,

Sometime when you take it for granted,

You’re the best qualified in the room.

Sometime when you feel that your going

Would leave an unfillable hole,

Just follow this simple instruction

And see how it humbles your soul.

Take a bucket and fill it with water;

Put your ...