'Mamba Mentality': 17 of Kobe Bryant’s Most Uplifting Quotes to Live By

Mar. 15, 2025

Kobe Bryant during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 27, 2008.Photo:Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty

Kobe Bryant’s legacy and wise words have continued to live on years after his untimely death.

The Philadelphia-born basketball superstar — whodied at age 41 in a helicopter crashon Jan. 26, 2020 — was just as known for his competitive spirit as he was for the great life philosophies that motivated him.

In his lifetime, Bryant achieved incredible feats — as a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, anOscar-winning storytellerand, above all, adevoted husbandandbeloved “girl dad"offour daughters.

Beyondhis athletic accomplishmentson the court, Bryant’s “Mamba mentality” — a mindset of relentless drive, resilience and self-belief — has inspired generations to push beyond their limits. These principles, which fueled his desire for greatness, still resonate with fans and non-athletes today.

01of 17

Just Enough

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers shows off his 2009 NBA championship ring before the season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.Andrew D.Bernstein/NBAE via Getty

Andrew D.Bernstein/NBAE via Getty

—toGQin February 2015

02of 17Rise AboveLos Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant playing against the Boston Celtics.Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images"I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have [a] fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena, and I’m like, ‘My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don’t have it. I just want to chill.’ We all have self-doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate to it. You embrace it. You rise above it."—toSports Illustrated,per ESPN, in October 2013

02of 17

Rise Above

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant playing against the Boston Celtics.Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

“I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have [a] fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena, and I’m like, ‘My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don’t have it. I just want to chill.’ We all have self-doubt. You don’t deny it, but you also don’t capitulate to it. You embrace it. You rise above it."—toSports Illustrated,per ESPN, in October 2013

03of 17Be YourselfLos Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) and Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan during a game at United Center in Chicago on Dec. 17, 1997.VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty“I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan; I only want to be Kobe Bryant.”—to ESPN in December 1997

03of 17

Be Yourself

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) and Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan during a game at United Center in Chicago on Dec. 17, 1997.VINCENT LAFORET/AFP via Getty

“I don’t want to be the next Michael Jordan; I only want to be Kobe Bryant.”

—to ESPN in December 1997

04of 17Don’t SettleGianna Bryant and Kobe Bryant hug on the basketball court during warm-ups before the first half of an NBA All-Star game in Toronto on Feb. 14, 2016.Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP"You don’t want to jump into something if you’re not passionate about it."—to CNBC in August 2016

04of 17

Don’t Settle

Gianna Bryant and Kobe Bryant hug on the basketball court during warm-ups before the first half of an NBA All-Star game in Toronto on Feb. 14, 2016.Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP

Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press via AP

“You don’t want to jump into something if you’re not passionate about it.”

—to CNBC in August 2016

05of 17Never Give UpKobe Bryant drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006.Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty"Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling."—to CBS in July 2008

05of 17

Never Give Up

Kobe Bryant drives to the basket against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006.Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty

“Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling.”

—to CBS in July 2008

06of 17Believe in YourselfKobe Bryant’s basketball jerseys seen at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020.John Shearer/Getty"When you make a choice and say, ‘Come hell or high water, I am going to be this,’ then you should not be surprised when you are that. It should not be something that is intoxicating or out of character because you have seen this moment for so long that … when that moment comes, of course, it is here because it has been here the whole time, because it has been [in your mind] the whole time."—in the 2015 Showtime documentaryKobe Bryant’s Muse

06of 17

Believe in Yourself

Kobe Bryant’s basketball jerseys seen at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020.John Shearer/Getty

“When you make a choice and say, ‘Come hell or high water, I am going to be this,’ then you should not be surprised when you are that. It should not be something that is intoxicating or out of character because you have seen this moment for so long that … when that moment comes, of course, it is here because it has been here the whole time, because it has been [in your mind] the whole time.”

—in the 2015 Showtime documentaryKobe Bryant’s Muse

07of 17It’s Not the Destination; It’s the JourneyGianna Bryant and Kobe Bryant at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 29, 2019.Allen Berezovsky/Getty"Those times when you get up early, and you work hard, those times when you stay up late, and you work hard, those times when you don’t feel like working, you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself, but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream. That’s the dream. It’s not the destination; it’s the journey. And if you guys can understand that, then what you’ll see happen is you won’t accomplish your dreams; your dreams won’t come true; something greater will."—in his 2017 number retirement speech,per Bleacher Report

07of 17

It’s Not the Destination; It’s the Journey

Gianna Bryant and Kobe Bryant at a basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 29, 2019.Allen Berezovsky/Getty

“Those times when you get up early, and you work hard, those times when you stay up late, and you work hard, those times when you don’t feel like working, you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself, but you do it anyway. That is actually the dream. That’s the dream. It’s not the destination; it’s the journey. And if you guys can understand that, then what you’ll see happen is you won’t accomplish your dreams; your dreams won’t come true; something greater will.”

—in his 2017 number retirement speech,per Bleacher Report

08of 17Don’t Pressure YourselfKobe Bryant poses for a photo outside the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif., circa 1997.Jon SooHoo/NBAE/Getty"We psyche ourselves up too much. Like, if you try to talk yourself into, ‘Oh, this is a big moment, this is a big shot,’ you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. You shot that shot hundreds and thousands of times. Just shoot another one."—during an October 2018Jimmy Kimmel Live!appearance

08of 17

Don’t Pressure Yourself

Kobe Bryant poses for a photo outside the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif., circa 1997.Jon SooHoo/NBAE/Getty

“We psyche ourselves up too much. Like, if you try to talk yourself into, ‘Oh, this is a big moment, this is a big shot,’ you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself. You shot that shot hundreds and thousands of times. Just shoot another one.”

—during an October 2018Jimmy Kimmel Live!appearance

09of 17Don’t Be Afraid of FailureKobe Bryant celebrates during a Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game on Dec. 22, 2009.Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty"I’ve practiced and practiced and played so many times. There’s nothing truly to be afraid of when you think about it. … I’ve failed before, and I woke up the next morning, and I’m OK."—to ESPN in November 2014

09of 17

Don’t Be Afraid of Failure

Kobe Bryant celebrates during a Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder game on Dec. 22, 2009.Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty

“I’ve practiced and practiced and played so many times. There’s nothing truly to be afraid of when you think about it. … I’ve failed before, and I woke up the next morning, and I’m OK.”

—to ESPN in November 2014

10of 17Take Pointers from the BestKobe Bryant poses in the press room during the 90th annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images"I want to learn how to become the best basketball player in the world. And if I’m going to learn that, I gotta learn from the best. Kids go to school to be doctors or lawyers, [and] so forth and so on, and that’s where they study. My place to study is from the best."—in the 2015 Showtime documentaryKobe Bryant’s Muse

10of 17

Take Pointers from the Best

Kobe Bryant poses in the press room during the 90th annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

“I want to learn how to become the best basketball player in the world. And if I’m going to learn that, I gotta learn from the best. Kids go to school to be doctors or lawyers, [and] so forth and so on, and that’s where they study. My place to study is from the best.”

—in the 2015 Showtime documentaryKobe Bryant’s Muse

11of 17You Can’t Change the PastKobe Bryant writhes in pain on the court late in the game against the Warriors at Staples Center in L.A.Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/Getty"Be sad. Be mad. Be frustrated. Scream. Cry. Sulk. When you wake up, you will think it was just a nightmare, only to realize it’s all too real. You will be angry and wish for the day back, the game back, THAT play back. But reality gives nothing back, and nor should you."—on Instagram on Oct. 18, 2017

11of 17

You Can’t Change the Past

Kobe Bryant writhes in pain on the court late in the game against the Warriors at Staples Center in L.A.Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/Getty

“Be sad. Be mad. Be frustrated. Scream. Cry. Sulk. When you wake up, you will think it was just a nightmare, only to realize it’s all too real. You will be angry and wish for the day back, the game back, THAT play back. But reality gives nothing back, and nor should you.”

—on Instagram on Oct. 18, 2017

12of 17

Dreams Come with Sacrifice

From left: Natalia Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Bianka Bryant and Gianna Bryant attend Kobe’s jersey retirement ceremony at the Staples Center in L.A. on Dec. 18, 2017.Allen Berezovsky/Getty

13of 17

Don’t View Your Passions as ‘Work’

Kobe Bryant holds a No. 8 Los Angeles Lakers jersey in Inglewood, Calif., on July 11, 1996.Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

14of 17

Leadership Isn’t Easy

Kobe Bryant smiles to the crowd during a ceremony before his last NBA basketball game in L.A. on April 13, 2016.Jae C. Hong/AP

“Leadership is lonely … I’m not going to be afraid of confrontation to get us to where we need to go. There’s a big misconception where people thinking winning or success comes from everybody putting their arms around each other and singing kumbaya and patting them on the back when they mess up, and that’s just not reality. If you are going to be a leader, you are not going to please everybody. You have to hold people accountable. Even if you have that moment of being uncomfortable.”

15of 17Confidence Is a State of MindKobe Bryant goes in for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets during the NBA game at the Staples Center in L.A. on Jan. 1, 2001.Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images"The last time I was intimidated was when I was 6 years old in karate class. I was an orange belt, and the instructor ordered me to fight a black belt who was a couple years older and a lot bigger. I was scared s—less. I mean, I was terrified, and he kicked my ass. But then I realized he didn’t kick my ass as bad as I thought he was going to and that there was nothing really to be afraid of. That was around the time I realized that intimidation didn’t really exist if you’re in the right frame of mind."—to ESPN in January 2013

15of 17

Confidence Is a State of Mind

Kobe Bryant goes in for a slam dunk against the New Jersey Nets during the NBA game at the Staples Center in L.A. on Jan. 1, 2001.Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

“The last time I was intimidated was when I was 6 years old in karate class. I was an orange belt, and the instructor ordered me to fight a black belt who was a couple years older and a lot bigger. I was scared s—less. I mean, I was terrified, and he kicked my ass. But then I realized he didn’t kick my ass as bad as I thought he was going to and that there was nothing really to be afraid of. That was around the time I realized that intimidation didn’t really exist if you’re in the right frame of mind.”

—to ESPN in January 2013

16of 17Don’t IdleKobe Bryant dunks the ball during the 2002 NBA playoffs against the Sacramento Kings in L.A. on May 26, 2002.Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty"I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand you. I don’t want to understand you."—to 247 Sports

16of 17

Don’t Idle

Kobe Bryant dunks the ball during the 2002 NBA playoffs against the Sacramento Kings in L.A. on May 26, 2002.Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty

“I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language. I don’t understand you. I don’t want to understand you.”

—to 247 Sports

17of 17Don’t Sell Yourself ShortKobe Bryant plays defense against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center in L.A. on March 16, 2007.Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images"When we are saying this cannot be accomplished, this cannot be done, then we are short-changing ourselves. My brain, it cannot process failure. It will not process failure. Because if I have to sit there and face myself and tell myself, ‘You are a failure,’ I think that is almost worse than dying."—in the 2015 Showtime documentaryKobe Bryant’s Muse

17of 17

Don’t Sell Yourself Short

Kobe Bryant plays defense against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Staples Center in L.A. on March 16, 2007.Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images

“When we are saying this cannot be accomplished, this cannot be done, then we are short-changing ourselves. My brain, it cannot process failure. It will not process failure. Because if I have to sit there and face myself and tell myself, ‘You are a failure,’ I think that is almost worse than dying.”

source: people.com