--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you don't learn anything but self…" description: "\"If you don't learn anything but self discipline, then athletics is worthwhile.\" — Bear Bryant" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/bear-bryant-3459_athletics_if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-dis_1036040.png" --- # If you don't learn anything but self discipline, then… ![“If you don't learn anything but self discipline, then athletics is worthwhile.” quote by Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/bear-bryant-3459_athletics_if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-dis_1036040.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/bear-bryant-3459_athletics_if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-dis_1036040.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/bear-bryant-3459_athletics_if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-dis_1036040.png) > “If you don't learn anything but self discipline, then athletics is worthwhile.” [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑discipline is the core value of athletics; without it, sport lacks purpose. **In simple terms:** Discipline makes sport meaningful. Key Takeaway Prioritize self‑discipline in training. Themes sports discipline purpose teamwork Mood determined energetic Type coach motivational When to use this quote - coaching - personal fitness - school athletics Key Concepts Athletic training character building motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can you make discipline enjoyable? - What role does fun play in athletic growth? A Different Perspective Discipline alone may not inspire enjoyment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athletics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletics/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-discipline/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Worthwhile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worthwhile/) ## Related quotes > [Studying music encourages self-discipline and diligence, traits that carry over into intellectual pursuits and that lead to effective study and work habits. An association…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-e-debakey/studying-music-encourages-self-discipline-and-diligence-traits-that/) [Michael E. DeBakey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-e-debakey/) > [The most difficult thing about painting is the self-discipline. When I finish a job, I give myself a few days, but then I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hurt/the-most-difficult-thing-about-painting-is-the-self-discipline-when-i/) [John Hurt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hurt/) > [“Slower, he walked along in his thoughts and asked himself: "But what is this, what you have sought to learn from teachings and from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/slower-he-walked-along-in-his-thoughts-and-asked-himself-but-what-is/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Women must learn to find self-worth within themselves, not through others. It is important to carve out a place just for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-mosbacher/women-must-learn-to-find-self-worth-within-themselves-not-through/) [Georgette Mosbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-mosbacher/) > [Try to look at the bigger picture. The majority of people you date will not be your destination. They were meant to be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-chan/try-to-look-at-the-bigger-picture-the-majority-of-people-you-date/) [Amy Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-chan/) > [If you cut your finger,don't go to pieces over it. If some larger misfortune happens to you, refuse to let it throw you into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-malabago/if-you-cut-your-finger-don-t-go-to-pieces-over-it-if-some-larger/) [Regina Malabago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-malabago/) > [“Well, she could learn self control tomorrow. Today she wanted pizza.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/well-she-could-learn-self-control-tomorrow-today-she-wanted-pizza/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [As artists, we must learn to be self-nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/as-artists-we-must-learn-to-be-self-nourishing-we-must-become-alert/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) > [With self-awareness you grow more intelligent. In awareness you learn, in self-awareness you learn about yourself. Of course, you can only learn what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/with-self-awareness-you-grow-more-intelligent-in-awareness-you-learn/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [People should accept themselves for who they really are and be proud of that and take ownership of that first and learn that self…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-g/people-should-accept-themselves-for-who-they-really-are-and-be-proud/) [Becky G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-g/) > [“If your Soul wants to learn forgiveness in this lifetime, then you must also experience betrayal. If your Soul wants to learn self-love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mastin-kipp/if-your-soul-wants-to-learn-forgiveness-in-this-lifetime-then-you/) [Mastin Kipp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mastin-kipp/) > [“But you are never the same once you have acquired the knowledge that there is no self that will not crumble. We are told…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/but-you-are-never-the-same-once-you-have-acquired-the-knowledge-that/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [Be original, be yourself. In trying to become like someone else, we are compromising our own self being. If we are not satisfied with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/be-original-be-yourself-in-trying-to-become-like-someone-else-we-are/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [We must learn to be self-reliant and independent of schools, courts, protection and patronage of a Government we seek to end, if it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/we-must-learn-to-be-self-reliant-and-independent-of-schools-courts/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [If you have to learn it from a self-help book, you may be beyond help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-smith/if-you-have-to-learn-it-from-a-self-help-book-you-may-be-beyond-help/) [Wes Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-smith/) ## More by Bear Bryant > [Little things make the difference. Everyone is well prepared in the big things, but only the winners perfect the little things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/little-things-make-the-difference-everyone-is-well-prepared-in-the/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Set goals - high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/set-goals-high-goals-for-you-and-your-organization-when-your/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I hope to get out before they start football next year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-hope-to-get-out-before-they-start-football-next-year/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I'm no innovator. If anything I'm a stealer, or borrower. I've stolen or borrowed from more people than you can shake a stick at.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-m-no-innovator-if-anything-i-m-a-stealer-or-borrower-i-ve-stolen-or/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [It's awfully important to win with humility. It's also important to lose. I hate to lose worse than anyone, but if you never lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/it-s-awfully-important-to-win-with-humility-it-s-also-important-to/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I'm no genius, but I'm a damn good football coach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-m-no-genius-but-i-m-a-damn-good-football-coach/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I didn't have a thing to do with picking a coach, and didn't want to. But I didn't think they'd pick one I didn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-didn-t-have-a-thing-to-do-with-picking-a-coach-and-didn-t-want-to/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [The first time you quit, it's hard. The second time, it gets easier. The third time, you don't even have to think about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/the-first-time-you-quit-it-s-hard-the-second-time-it-gets-easier-the/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [If you want to coach you have three rules to follow to win. One, surround yourself with people who can't live without football. I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/if-you-want-to-coach-you-have-three-rules-to-follow-to-win-one/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Don't give up. Reach down inside of you and you'll find something left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/don-t-give-up-reach-down-inside-of-you-and-you-ll-find-something-left/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [The fun never goes out, but it changes with the years, with winning and losing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/the-fun-never-goes-out-but-it-changes-with-the-years-with-winning-and/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [I don't have any ideas; my coaches have them. I just pass the ideas on and referee the arguments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/i-don-t-have-any-ideas-my-coaches-have-them-i-just-pass-the-ideas-on/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/offense-sells-tickets-but-defense-wins-championships/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [Losing doesn't make me want to quit. It makes me want to fight that much harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/losing-doesn-t-make-me-want-to-quit-it-makes-me-want-to-fight-that/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) > [First there are those who are winners, and know they are winners. Then there are the losers who know they are losers. Then there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/first-there-are-those-who-are-winners-and-know-they-are-winners-then/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) [Explore all 130 Bear Bryant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) ## More Athletics quotes > [We want to promote the great quality of athletics - and maintain it's integrity - all over the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-juantorena/we-want-to-promote-the-great-quality-of-athletics-and-maintain-it-s/) [Alberto Juantorena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-juantorena/) > [Combining the experience of a seasoned university president with the analysis of a respected legal scholar, Derek Bok explores what he concludes are 'signs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-h-t-rhodes/combining-the-experience-of-a-seasoned-university-president-with-the/) Frank H. T. Rhodes > [There are only two options regarding commitment; you’re either in or you’re out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-riley/there-are-only-two-options-regarding-commitment-you-re-either-in-or/) [Pat Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-riley/) > [The Games have been decimated. If you take away the Eastern Bloc, you take away 50% of the medals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-pickering/the-games-have-been-decimated-if-you-take-away-the-eastern-bloc-you/) [Ron Pickering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-pickering/) > [If you have the sense of participation in sports or athletics, of being a player, then you are not really into the Zen mind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-have-the-sense-of-participation-in-sports-or-athletics-of/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [While receiving radiation treatment for a thyroid illness, I had refused to take beta-blockers - a medication that would have eased its side effects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-devers/while-receiving-radiation-treatment-for-a-thyroid-illness-i-had/) [Gail Devers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-devers/) > [Everyone is an athlete. The only difference is that some of us are in training, and some are not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-a-sheehan/everyone-is-an-athlete-the-only-difference-is-that-some-of-us-are-in/) [George A. Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-a-sheehan/) > [And with alphabetical irony Nigeria follows New Zealand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-coleman/and-with-alphabetical-irony-nigeria-follows-new-zealand/) [David Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-coleman/) > [The very advanced practitioners of martial arts never had to raise a hand. They could knock an opponent down without physically touching them, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-very-advanced-practitioners-of-martial-arts-never-had-to-raise-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [There's discussion in athletics about how sport - where they say 'SportsCenter' has ruined the fundamentals of basketball because it's - it only applauds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pfeiffer/there-s-discussion-in-athletics-about-how-sport-where-they-say/) [Dan Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pfeiffer/) > [In the game of Frisbee you throw the disk to someone else. The point of Frisbee is perfect communication. The person at the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/in-the-game-of-frisbee-you-throw-the-disk-to-someone-else-the-point/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Physical perfection, working out, adds to your spiritual perfection if that is your intent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/physical-perfection-working-out-adds-to-your-spiritual-perfection-if/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [If you get a great wife who understands the demands of someone in athletics, I think that's important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-romo/if-you-get-a-great-wife-who-understands-the-demands-of-someone-in/) [Tony Romo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-romo/) > [Few would deny that blacks have become very dominant in athletics: football, basketball, track, now dominant in tennis and dominant in golf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/few-would-deny-that-blacks-have-become-very-dominant-in-athletics/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [Participating in athletics gives all students an opportunity to learn about themselves, to compete, to negotiate with a team and learn skills that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-cardona/participating-in-athletics-gives-all-students-an-opportunity-to-learn/) [Miguel Cardona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-cardona/) [Browse all 347 Athletics quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athletics/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you don't learn anything but self discipline, then athletics is worthwhile.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bear Bryant" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-discipline-then-athletics-is/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Athletics" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-discipline-then-athletics-is/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/bear-bryant-3459_athletics_if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-dis_1036040.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/bear-bryant-3459_athletics_if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-dis_1036040.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0da/bear-bryant-3459_athletics_if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-dis_1036040.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you don't learn anything but self discipline, then athletics is worthwhile.” — Bear Bryant", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bear Bryant", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you don't learn anything but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-discipline-then-athletics-is/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/if-you-don-t-learn-anything-but-self-discipline-then-athletics-is/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```