“Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there”

“Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

“I believe ability can get you to the top,” says coach John Wooden, “but it takes character to keep you there.… It’s so easy to … begin thinking you can just ‘turn it on’ automatically, without proper preparation. It takes real character to keep working as hard or even harder once you’re there. When you read about an athlete or team that wins over and over and over, remind yourself, ‘More than ability, they have character.' ”

“Talent will get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.”

“Gaily, if you can't demonstrate the ability to keep her alive, then I will take over her care and get you a dog instead." - Newt”

“At the banquet table of nature, there are no reserved seats. You get what you can take, and you keep what you can hold. If you can't take anything, you won't get anything, and if you can't hold anything, you won't keep anything. And you can't take anything without organization.”