"Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then"

In this quote, John Wooden recommends that difficulty, or dealing with difficulties and troubles, is the state in which a person truly learns more about themselves. When faced with adversity, a person is stripped of any external impacts or distractions, such as admirers or advocates, and is left alone to confront their own thoughts, sensations, and abilities. This can be a challenging and uncomfortable experience, however it permits an individual to acquire a much deeper understanding of their own strengths and weak points. Without the pressure of impressing others, an individual can genuinely be themselves and find out important lessons about their character. Therefore, Wooden believes that adversity is an essential and important part of self-discovery.