Tony Lema Quotes

In golf, the player, coach and official are rolled into one, and they overlap completely. Golf really is the best microcosm of life - or at least the way life should be.

Golf is a game of ego, but it is also a game of integrity: the most important thing is you do what is right when no one is looking.

The word virtue is as useful to self-interest as the vices.

I am a very conscientious golfer. I count every stroke. I learned to play that way. That is the only way I can play. It taught me to be honest. There is no greater virtue than honesty.

I do consider myself a competitive person, but I'm not competitive to the point where I will do anything to win. I wouldn't step on somebody just to get to the next level. I would have to do it fair and square. I'm kind of competitive in a way to where I like to figure out things myself, and if I need help, I'll ask.

Golf is the only game I know where you call a foul on yourself.

Golf is fundamentally about being honest. I see people hit eight shots and tell me they shot five. I never say a word. It is a reminder to me of what is at stake.

When I was younger I got accused of gamesmanship but I grew out of it.

I'm not perfect - I'm human, and I can make mistakes - but I'm always going to fight clean; I'm always going to go out there and try to put on a good show.

I hold myself to a high standard.

I am very proud of the fact I do not cheat when I'm playing golf.

Today, the biggest challenge we must meet is the one we present to ourselves. To not become a nation that places entitlement ahead of accomplishment. To not become a country that places comfortable lies ahead of difficult truths. To not become a people that thinks so little of ourselves that we demand no sacrifice from each other.

In football, it's the job of the player to play, the coach to coach, the official to officiate. Each guy is charged with upholding his end, nothing more. In golf, the player, coach and official are rolled into one, and they overlap completely. Golf really is the best microcosm of life - or at least the way life should be.

I try to be an honest originalist! I will take the bitter with the sweet!

When we played softball, I'd steal second base, feel guilty and go back.

You're always concerned for your character. You should be.

Anyone can identify with those moments in life where circumstances or people inform us that we've strayed from the path of our better nature and intentions. We know what that's like, and we resist it - so as not to feel like we're bad people.

I think an athlete should be honest. I know it's difficult, but if a guy knocked me on my can, I couldn't very well say, I slipped.

Your conscience is the measure of the honesty of your selfishness. Listen to it carefully.

It is helpful to think of people as having two fundamental motivations: the desire to see ourselves as honest, good people, and the desire to gain the benefits that come from cheating - on our taxes or on the football field.

You're defined by how you play the game, not by the game itself.

To find a man's true character, play golf with him.

I am an honest, God-fearing man who is intensely dedicated to being the best person I can be on and off the football field.

Achievements on the golf course are not what matters, decency and honesty are what matter.

I stopped living according to my core values. I knew what I was doing was wrong but thought only about myself and thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to.