Quotes by Michael Jordan

You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.
– Michael Jordan
I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.
– Michael Jordan
I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results.
– Michael Jordan
If you're trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I've had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
– Michael Jordan
To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate.
– Michael Jordan
Don't be afraid to fail. Be afraid not to try.
– Michael Jordan
When I was playing before I retired, I never really understood the appreciation and the respect that people gave me. People had treated me like a god or something, and that was very embarrassing.
– Michael Jordan
When I lose the sense of motivation and the sense to prove something as a basketball player, it's time for me to move away from the game.
– Michael Jordan
Ultimately, if you can say that I'm a bad owner and we're winning championships, I can live with that. But if we're not making the playoffs and we're spending and losing money, then I have to look in the mirror and say maybe I'm not taking the necessary steps to doing what it takes to run an organization.
– Michael Jordan
The game of basketball has been everything to me. My place of refuge, place I've always gone where I needed comfort and peace. It's been the site of intense pain and the most intense feelings of joy and satisfaction. It's a relationship that has evolved over time, given me the greatest respect and love for the game.
– Michael Jordan
The game is my wife. It demands loyalty and responsibility, and it gives me back fulfillment and peace.
– Michael Jordan
The best evaluation I can make of a player is to look in his eyes and see how scared they are.
– Michael Jordan
Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.
– Michael Jordan
My attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength.
– Michael Jordan
Limits, like fear, is often an illusion.
– Michael Jordan
Just play. Have fun. Enjoy the game.
– Michael Jordan
In college I never realized the opportunities available to a pro athlete. I've been given the chance to meet all kinds of people, to travel and expand my financial capabilities, to get ideas and learn about life, to create a world apart from basketball.
– Michael Jordan
In any investment, you expect to have fun and make money.
– Michael Jordan
If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.
– Michael Jordan
I'd like to be settled into somewhat of a normal life. Somewhat. I know it's never going to be completely normal.
– Michael Jordan
I wasn't really a work conscious type of person.
– Michael Jordan
I want to wake up every day and do whatever comes in my mind, and not feel pressure or obligations to do anything else in my life.
– Michael Jordan
I want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges.
– Michael Jordan
I hope the millions of people I've touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude.
– Michael Jordan
I can't speak for the future. I have no crystal ball.
– Michael Jordan
I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.
– Michael Jordan
Gambling is legal and betting is legal, for what I bet.
– Michael Jordan
For a competitive junkie like me, golf is a great solution because it smacks you in the face every time you think you have accomplished something. That to me has taken over a lot of the energy and competitiveness for basketball.
– Michael Jordan
Even when I'm old and grey, I won't be able to play it, but I'll still love the game.
– Michael Jordan
Be true to the game, because the game will be true to you. If you try to shortcut the game, then the game will shortcut you. If you put forth the effort, good things will be bestowed upon you. That's truly about the game, and in some ways that's about life too.
– Michael Jordan
As athletes, we're used to reacting quickly. Here, it's 'come, stop, come, stop.' There's a lot of downtime. That's the toughest part of the day.
– Michael Jordan
Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.
– Michael Jordan