67 Michael Jordan Quotes to Motivate You to Never Give Up

Last updated on April 4, 2023

Michael Jordan (born 17 February 1963, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.) is a retired professional basketball player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time. He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before being drafted by the Chicago Bulls in 1984. Jordan won five NBA MVP awards, ten scoring titles, and six NBA championships over the course of his career. He is also a successful businessman and philanthropist, and is the owner of the Charlotte Hornets NBA franchise. Jordan's legacy as a basketball icon and cultural figure continues to inspire new generations of athletes and fans.

Top 10 Most Famous Michael Jordan Quotes

I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six 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 missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six 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.

Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen. ― Michael Jordan — Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying. ― Michael Jordan — I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying.

Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation. ― Michael Jordan — Always turn a negative situation into a positive situation.

You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them. ― Michael Jordan — You must expect great things of yourself before you can do them.

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 — 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.

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 — 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.

Don’t let them drag you down by rumors just go with what you believe in. ― Michael Jordan — Don’t let them drag you down by rumors just go with what you believe in.

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 — 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.

What is love? Love is playing every game as if it’s your last! ― Michael Jordan — What is love? Love is playing every game as if it’s your last!

15 Inspirational Michael Jordan Quotes on Life (Never Give Up)

If you quit once it becomes a habit. Never quit! ― Michael Jordan — If you quit once it becomes a habit. Never quit!

If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome. ― Michael Jordan — If you accept the expectations of others, especially negative ones, then you never will change the outcome.

I built my talents on the shoulders of someone else’s talent. I believe greatness is an evolutionary process that changes and evolves era to era. ― Michael Jordan — I built my talents on the shoulders of someone else’s talent. I believe greatness is an evolutionary process that changes and evolves era to era.

I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. ― Michael Jordan — I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come.

It’s heavy-duty to try to do everything and please everybody. My job was to go out there and play the game of basketball as best I can. People may not agree with that. I can’t live with what everyone’s impression of what I should or what I shouldn’t do.
Michael Jordan

Never say never. Because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion. ― Michael Jordan — Never say never. Because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.

I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me. Failure always made me try harder next time. ― Michael Jordan — I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it is an illusion to me. Failure always made me try harder next time.

If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life. ― Michael Jordan — If you do the work, you get rewarded. There are no shortcuts in life.

I had always set short-term goals. As I look back, each one of the steps or successes led to the next one. ― Michael Jordan — I had always set short-term goals. As I look back, each one of the steps or success led to the next one.

The problems we face didn’t happen overnight and they won’t be solved tomorrow, but if we all work together, we can foster greater understanding, positive change and create a more peaceful world for ourselves, our children, our families, and our communities.
Michael Jordan

Winning has a price and leadership has a price. ― Michael Jordan — Winning has a price and leadership has a price.

Once I made a decision, I never thought about it again. ― Michael Jordan — Once I made a decision, I never thought about it again.

My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said you never know what you can accomplish until you try. ― Michael Jordan — My father used to say that it’s never too late to do anything you wanted to do. And he said you never know what you can accomplish until you try.

I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot … when you think about the consequences, you always think of negative results. ― Michael Jordan — I never looked at the consequences of missing a big shot … when you think about the consequences, you always think of negative results.

You can practice shooting 8 hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. ― Michael Jordan — You can practice shooting 8 hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way.

The 4 Best Michael Jordan Quotes on Teamwork

There is no 'i' in team but there is in win. ― Michael Jordan — There is no 'i' in team but there is in win.

Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships. ― Michael Jordan — Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships.

If you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. ― Michael Jordan — If you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves.

There are plenty of teams in every sport that have great players and never win titles. Most of the time, those players aren’t willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the team. ― Michael Jordan — There are plenty of teams in every sport that have great players and never win titles. Most of the time, those players aren’t willing to sacrifice for the greater good of the team.

21 Michael Jordan Quotes on Hard Work and Dedication

Everybody has talent, but ability takes hard work. ― Michael Jordan — Everybody has talent, but ability takes hard work.

The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can't let yourself be beat because of lack of effort. ― Michael Jordan — The game has its ups and downs, but you can never lose focus of your individual goals and you can't let yourself be beat because of lack of effort.

Every time I feel tired while I am exercising and training, I close my eyes to see that picture, to see that list with my name. This usually motivates me to work again. ― Michael Jordan — Every time I feel tired while I am exercising and training, I close my eyes to see that picture, to see that list with my name. This usually motivates me to work again.

Champions do not become champions when they win an event, but in the hours, weeks, and months, and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely a demonstration of their championship character.

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

I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win. ― Michael Jordan — I play to win, whether during practice or a real game. And I will not let anything get in the way of me and my competitive enthusiasm to win.

Failure makes me work even harder. ― Michael Jordan — Failure makes me work even harder.

The only way to relieve that pressure is to build your fundamentals, practice them over and over, so when the game breaks down, you can handle anything that transpires. ― Michael Jordan — The only way to relieve that pressure is to build your fundamentals, practice them over and over, so when the game breaks down, you can handle anything that transpires.

Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night. ― Michael Jordan — Sometimes, things may not go your way, but the effort should be there every single night.

To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail. ― Michael Jordan — To learn to succeed, you must first learn to fail.

I realized that if I was going to achieve anything in life I had to be aggressive. I had to get out there and go for it. ― Michael Jordan — I realized that if I was going to achieve anything in life I had to be aggressive. I had to get out there and go for it.

You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that. ― Michael Jordan — You have competition every day because you set such high standards for yourself that you have to go out every day and live up to that.

It is easy to choose a path of anonymity and lead an empty life. But to strive hard and lead an impactful life, one needs a burning desire to realize dreams. ― Michael Jordan — It is easy to choose a path of anonymity and lead an empty life. But to strive hard and lead an impactful life, one needs a burning desire to realize dreams.

Sometimes you need to get hit in the head to realize that you’re in a fight. ― Michael Jordan — Sometimes you need to get hit in the head to realize that you’re in a fight.

I’m not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat. ― Michael Jordan — I’m not out there sweating for three hours every day just to find out what it feels like to sweat.

Learning’s a gift, even when pain is your teacher. ― Michael Jordan — Learning’s a gift, even when pain is your teacher.

I’ve never lost a game I just ran out of time. ― Michael Jordan — I’ve never lost a game I just ran out of time.

If it turns out that my best wasn’t good enough, at least I won’t look back and say I was afraid to try. ― Michael Jordan — If it turns out that my best wasn’t good enough, at least I won’t look back and say I was afraid to try.

My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn’t stand the sideline. ― Michael Jordan — My body could stand the crutches but my mind couldn’t stand the sideline.

The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether it’s proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing. ― Michael Jordan — The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether it’s proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing.

17 Empowering Michael Jordan Quotes to Motivate You

The best come from the worst. ― Michael Jordan — The best come from the worst.

Failure is acceptable. but not trying is a whole different ball park. ― Michael Jordan — Failure is acceptable. but not trying is a whole different ball park.

There is no such thing as a perfect basketball player, & I don’t believe there is only one greatest player either. ― Michael Jordan — There is no such thing as a perfect basketball player, & I don’t believe there is only one greatest player either.

Heart is what separates the good from the great. ― Michael Jordan — Heart is what separates the good from the great.

I don’t do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results. ― Michael Jordan — I don’t do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results.

Live the moment for the moment. ― Michael Jordan — Live the moment for the moment.

I hope the millions of people I’ve touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and perseverance with a positive attitude. ― Michael Jordan — I hope the millions of people I’ve touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and perseverance with a positive attitude.

My heroes are and were my parents. I can’t see having anyone else as my heroes. ― Michael Jordan — My heroes are and were my parents. I can’t see having anyone else as my heroes.

I mean we all fly. Once you leave the ground, you fly. Some people fly longer than others. ― Michael Jordan — I mean we all fly. Once you leave the ground, you fly. Some people fly longer than others.

I would tell players to relax and never think about what’s at stake. Just think about the basketball game. If you start to think about who is going to win the championship, you’ve lost your focus. ― Michael Jordan — I would tell players to relax and never think about what’s at stake. Just think about the basketball game. If you start to think about who is going to win the championship, you’ve lost your focus.

Best evaluation I can make of a player is to look in his eyes and see how scared they are. ― Michael Jordan — Best evaluation I can make of a player is to look in his eyes and see how scared they are.

If I had been playing for money I would have complained a long time ago that I was underpaid. ― Michael Jordan — If I had been playing for money I would have complained a long time ago that I was underpaid.

Enjoy every minute of life. Never second-guess life. ― Michael Jordan — Enjoy every minute of life. Never second-guess life.

It’s absolutely wrong that I don’t want guys to challenge me. And the people who say that aren’t in the room. ― Michael Jordan — It’s absolutely wrong that I don’t want guys to challenge me. And the people who say that aren’t in the room.

Even when I’m old and gray, I won’t be able to play it, but I’ll still love the game. ― Michael Jordan — Even when I’m old and gray, I won’t be able to play it, but I’ll still love the game.

When I will 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 — When I will 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.

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 want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges.