Who said “Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.”?

Misattributed

Not John Wooden. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundNot by John Wooden. Earliest known source: Anonymous proverb, in print by 1919.

Evidence: Quote Investigator · Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

APA

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.” [Quotation attributed to John Wooden]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32619-failure-to-prepare-is-preparing-to-fail/

MLA

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.” Attributed to John Wooden. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32619-failure-to-prepare-is-preparing-to-fail/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Failure to prepare is preparing to fail.” Attributed to John Wooden. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/32619-failure-to-prepare-is-preparing-to-fail/.