--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've never been a follower, but I've been…" description: "\"I've never been a follower, but I've been an admirer.\" — Lou Williams" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c35/lou-williams-6438_admirer_i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been_417544.jpg" --- # I've never been a follower, but I've been an admirer. ![“I've never been a follower, but I've been an admirer.” quote by Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c35/lou-williams-6438_admirer_i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been_417544.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c35/lou-williams-6438_admirer_i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been_417544.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c35/lou-williams-6438_admirer_i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been_417544.jpg) > “I've never been a follower, but I've been an admirer.” [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker values admiration over blind conformity, preferring to forge their own path while respecting others. **In simple terms:** Admire without following. Key Takeaway Be original, respect others. Themes individualism admiration leadership Mood reflective determined Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - team dynamics - creative work Key Concepts self‑direction role model Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance independence with teamwork? - When is admiration more valuable than imitation? A Different Perspective May limit collaboration if taken to extremes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [The difference between an admirer and a follower still remains, no matter where you are. The admirer never makes any true sacrifices. He always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-difference-between-an-admirer-and-a-follower-still-remains-no/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The first follower is actually an underestimated form of leadership in itself. … The first follower is what transforms a lone nut into a leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-sivers/the-first-follower-is-actually-an-underestimated-form-of-leadership/) [Derek Sivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-sivers/) > [One thing I am is a leader and if I'm not allowed to lead, then I have to follow. So then I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-davis/one-thing-i-am-is-a-leader-and-if-i-m-not-allowed-to-lead-then-i-have/) [Baron Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-davis/) > [I have implicit faith in Sun Yat-sen, not because I am his blind follower, but because he really arouses the deepest respect in everybody.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiang-kai-shek/i-have-implicit-faith-in-sun-yat-sen-not-because-i-am-his-blind/) [Chiang Kai-shek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiang-kai-shek/) > [I'm just a follower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sia/i-m-just-a-follower/) [Sia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sia/) > [Learn How To Be Leader Not A Follower Because Being A Follower Sometimes Lead You Into Something Good Or Bad...So Be Independent Not Dependent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/out-spoken/learn-how-to-be-leader-not-a-follower-because-being-a-follower/) Out Spoken > [“Katika maisha, kila mtu ni kiongozi na ni mfuasi pia kutegemeana na hali. Kiongozi hatakiwi kuwa na kiburi, wala hatakiwi kuwa na roho yenye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/katika-maisha-kila-mtu-ni-kiongozi-na-ni-mfuasi-pia-kutegemeana-na/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [I'm a strong follower of hydrotherapy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-ripley/i-m-a-strong-follower-of-hydrotherapy/) [Alice Ripley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-ripley/) > [Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/innovation-distinguishes-between-a-leader-and-a-follower/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do not Speak for Anyone. Just let them know their Right to Speak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vineet-raj-kapoor/do-not-speak-for-anyone-just-let-them-know-their-right-to-speak/) [Vineet Raj Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vineet-raj-kapoor/) > [Try not to be like everyone else because then youll just be a follower. Go out of your way to be different! Different means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/try-not-to-be-like-everyone-else-because-then-youll-just-be-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've always been a rule-follower. Even when I was a kid, I tried to do everything by the book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-curtis-chapman/i-ve-always-been-a-rule-follower-even-when-i-was-a-kid-i-tried-to-do/) [Steven Curtis Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-curtis-chapman/) > [Growing up, I never was a big follower of the Dodgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-ethier/growing-up-i-never-was-a-big-follower-of-the-dodgers/) [Andre Ethier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-ethier/) > [It is better to be nothing than a follower of other painters. The wise man has said when one follows another one is always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-camille-corot/it-is-better-to-be-nothing-than-a-follower-of-other-painters-the-wise/) [Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-camille-corot/) > [“I am neither a philosopher nor a thinker, but simply follower of my own thoughts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-f-moonzajer/i-am-neither-a-philosopher-nor-a-thinker-but-simply-follower-of-my/) [M.F. Moonzajer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-f-moonzajer/) ## More by Lou Williams > [I'm an Atlanta guy. I think Philly knows that. But I've adopted Philly as my second home, and they've embraced me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-m-an-atlanta-guy-i-think-philly-knows-that-but-i-ve-adopted-philly/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I didn't realize I was that short!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-didn-t-realize-i-was-that-short/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I don't make a decision till I see fit. That's why I'm so effective. My mind isn't predetermined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-don-t-make-a-decision-till-i-see-fit-that-s-why-i-m-so-effective-my/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [When it comes down to playoff basketball, it's attention to detail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/when-it-comes-down-to-playoff-basketball-it-s-attention-to-detail/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I was raised in the NBA. I've seen some guys stay and I've seen a lot go. I've watched James Harden be a rival…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-was-raised-in-the-nba-i-ve-seen-some-guys-stay-and-i-ve-seen-a-lot/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I like to lead by example. I like to lead by my actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-like-to-lead-by-example-i-like-to-lead-by-my-actions/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [It's one of those things I have been able to do - play well with my teammates and getting others involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/it-s-one-of-those-things-i-have-been-able-to-do-play-well-with-my/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [As I get older I'm seeing the game clearer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/as-i-get-older-i-m-seeing-the-game-clearer/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I thought I was pretty average height. And then it just clicked to me - 'Yo, you're undersized.' I guess when I got older…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-thought-i-was-pretty-average-height-and-then-it-just-clicked-to-me/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I've always been a guy to try to create contact; create scoring opportunities based off the free throw line and being aggressive in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-ve-always-been-a-guy-to-try-to-create-contact-create-scoring/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [When you play in Toronto you feel like you're playing overseas. We can't wait to go on the road sometimes just to be in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/when-you-play-in-toronto-you-feel-like-you-re-playing-overseas-we-can/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I'm conscious of my turnovers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-m-conscious-of-my-turnovers/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I'm kind of arrogant and cocky when I play... It's kind of weird. It's like I have split personalities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-m-kind-of-arrogant-and-cocky-when-i-play-it-s-kind-of-weird-it-s/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I think my assist numbers dropped off in Toronto with the way we were built. We played a lot of isolation basketball. I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-think-my-assist-numbers-dropped-off-in-toronto-with-the-way-we-were/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) > [I watched myself get drafted by myself. I walked out of my own draft party because I was a little frustrated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-watched-myself-get-drafted-by-myself-i-walked-out-of-my-own-draft/) [Lou Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) [Explore all 99 Lou Williams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/) ## More Admirer quotes > [Admirers can be a tremendous force for conservatism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-eno/admirers-can-be-a-tremendous-force-for-conservatism/) [Brian Eno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-eno/) > [I'm an admirer of Guardiola's work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerardo-martino/i-m-an-admirer-of-guardiola-s-work/) [Gerardo Martino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerardo-martino/) > [Followers means: Fans/Admirer/Kidnaper/Stalker/Killer ..so choose wisely if you want to end up nicely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/migzylou/followers-means-fans-admirer-kidnaper-stalker-killer-so-choose-wisely/) [Migzylou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/migzylou/) > [I've been an admirer of Helen Mirren for a long time. As I get older, I find myself admiring older women who have poise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-haden-church/i-ve-been-an-admirer-of-helen-mirren-for-a-long-time-as-i-get-older-i/) [Thomas Haden Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-haden-church/) > [My mother was a Bloomsbury figure: a great friend of TS Eliot, Duncan Grant, Vanessa Bell. My grandmother, Mary Hutchinson, gave her life to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-rothschild/my-mother-was-a-bloomsbury-figure-a-great-friend-of-ts-eliot-duncan/) [Jacob Rothschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-rothschild/) > [I became a huge Reagan admirer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bannon/i-became-a-huge-reagan-admirer/) [Steve Bannon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bannon/) > [I am an admirer of haiku, and I'm a great admirer of Japanese literature in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-flanagan/i-am-an-admirer-of-haiku-and-i-m-a-great-admirer-of-japanese/) [Richard Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-flanagan/) > [“She shall be my queen, and I her most ardent admirer and protector. A new standard of love shall be established for the ages.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-mull/she-shall-be-my-queen-and-i-her-most-ardent-admirer-and-protector-a/) [Brandon Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-mull/) > [Gay and costly apparel directly tends to create and influence lust… The fact is plain and undeniable, it has the effect both on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/gay-and-costly-apparel-directly-tends-to-create-and-influence-lust/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [Haters are just confused admirers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-bieber/haters-are-just-confused-admirers/) [Justin Bieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-bieber/) > [I think it takes a very generous and tolerant non-famous partner to stick with the famous person, especially if s/he wasn't famous when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-sneed/i-think-it-takes-a-very-generous-and-tolerant-non-famous-partner-to/) [Christine Sneed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-sneed/) > [Among other pleasing errors of young minds is the opinion of their own importance. He that has not yet remarked, how little attention his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/among-other-pleasing-errors-of-young-minds-is-the-opinion-of-their/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [People want to consume what you're putting out there, and you can create a really strong following of fans and admirers, and people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-kroll/people-want-to-consume-what-you-re-putting-out-there-and-you-can/) [Nick Kroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-kroll/) > [“The Marquis believed himself to be hardened against flattery. He thought that he had experienced every variety, but he discovered that he was mistaken:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/the-marquis-believed-himself-to-be-hardened-against-flattery-he/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [When I began writing in the mid-1960s, I thought it was not important for readers to know whether I was male or female. Also,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-konigsburg/when-i-began-writing-in-the-mid-1960s-i-thought-it-was-not-important/) [E. L. Konigsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-konigsburg/) Browse all 182 Admirer quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've never been a follower, but I've been an admirer.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lou Williams" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been-an-admirer/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Admirer" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been-an-admirer/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c35/lou-williams-6438_admirer_i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been_417544.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c35/lou-williams-6438_admirer_i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been_417544.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c35/lou-williams-6438_admirer_i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been_417544.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've never been a follower, but I've been an admirer.” — Lou Williams", "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": "Lou Williams", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-williams/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've never been a follower, but...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been-an-admirer/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-williams/i-ve-never-been-a-follower-but-i-ve-been-an-admirer/#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 } } ] } ```