Two sets of threes

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden was more than a coach. He was a teacher of character. NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton wrote, "He taught us values and characteristics that could make us not only good players, but also good people." NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said, "The wisdom of Coach Wooden had a profound influence on me as an athlete, but an even greater influencer on me as a human being."

Who was John Wooden's teacher of character? His father.

Joshua Wooden had what he called his "two sets of threes." The first was about honesty:

Never lie.
Never cheat.
Never steal.

"If you don't lie, you won't have to remember what you said," he said.

The second was about dealing with adversity:

Don't whine.
Don't complain.
Don't make excuses.

"Just do the best you can."

To John Wooden, these were his compass for trying to do the right things and behaving in a proper manner. Even in his final years, John Wooden could easily recite the "two sets of threes" from his father on command.

If there's one piece of advice you want your children to remember for the rest of their lives, what would it be?