A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

Meaning of the quote

A bird sings because it wants to, not because it has a specific reason or answer. Similarly, people should do things because they enjoy them, not just to get a result. The quote suggests that we should pursue activities and express ourselves freely, without always needing a practical purpose or justification.

About Lou Holtz

Lou Holtz is a legendary American football coach who had a storied career spanning multiple universities and the NFL. He led several teams to bowl games and top 15 rankings, and his 1988 Notre Dame team won the national championship. After retiring from coaching, Holtz worked as a TV college football analyst for CBS and ESPN.

More about the author

More quotes from Lou Holtz

Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

Do right. Do your best. Treat others as you want to be treated.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

If you burn your neighbors house down, it doesn’t make your house look any better.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

You’re never as good as everyone tells you when you win, and you’re never as bad as they say when you lose.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

If you’re bored with life – you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things – you don’t have enough goals.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

No one has ever drowned in sweat.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

A lifetime contract for a coach means if you’re ahead in the third quarter and moving the ball, they can’t fire you.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely the one who dropped it.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

Don’t be a spectator, don’t let life pass you by.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

I think everyone should experience defeat at least once during their career. You learn a lot from it.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

You’ll never get ahead of anyone as long as you try to get even with him.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

If he’s got golf clubs in his truck or a camper in his driveway, I don’t hire him.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

If you try to fight the course, it will beat you.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

In the successful organization, no detail is too small to escape close attention.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

I can’t believe that God put us on this earth to be ordinary.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

If what you did yesterday seems big, you haven’t done anything today.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

Coaching is nothing more than eliminating mistakes before you get fired.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

When all is said and done, more is said than done.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

The problem with having a sense of humor is often that people you use it on aren’t in a very good mood.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

On this team, we’re all united in a common goal: to keep my job.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)

Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated.

Lou Holtz

American football player, coach, and analyst (born 1937)