61 Quotes & Sayings By Muhammad Ali

This is the legend of Cassius Clay, The most beautiful fighter in the world today. He talks a great deal, and brags indeed-y, of a muscular punch that's incredibly speed-y. The fistic world was dull and weary, But with a champ like Liston, things had to be dreary. Then someone with color and someone with dash, Brought fight fans are runnin' with Cash.This brash young boxer is something to see And the heavyweight championship is his des-tin-y. This kid fights great; he’s got speed and endurance, But if you sign to fight him, increase your insurance. This kid's got a left; this kid's got a right, If he hit you once, you're asleep for the night. And as you lie on the floor while the ref counts ten, You’ll pray that you won’t have to fight me again. For I am the man this poem’s about, The next champ of the world, there isn’t a doubt. This I predict and I know the score, I’ll be champ of the world in ’64.When I say three, they’ll go in the third, 10 months ago So don’t bet against me, I’m a man of my word. He is the greatest! Yes! I am the man this poem’s about, I’ll be champ of the world, there isn’t a doubt. Here I predict Mr. Liston’s dismemberment, I’ll hit him so hard; he’ll wonder where October and November went. When I say two, there’s never a third, Standin against me is completely absurd. When Cassius says a mouse can outrun a horse, Don’t ask how; put your money where your mouse is! I AM THE GREATEST! . Muhammad Ali

Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10, 000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No I’m not going 10, 000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom and equality. If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years. Muhammad Ali

When it comes to love, compassion, and other feelings of the heart, I am rich. Muhammad Ali

All through my life, I have been tested. My will has been tested, my courage has been tested, my strength has been tested. Now my patience and endurance are being tested. Muhammad Ali

Even when I knew people were cheating me, what was important was how I behaved, because I have to answer to God. I can't be responsible for other people's actions: They will have to answer to God themselves Muhammad Ali

Throughout my life, I never sought retribution against those who hurt me because I believe in forgiveness. I have practiced forgiving, just as I want to be forgiven. Only God knows what's in a person's heart, his true intentions. He sees and hears all things. Muhammad Ali

The greatest victory in life is to rise above the material things that we once valued most. Muhammad Ali

What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming. Muhammad Ali

Impossible is nothing. Muhammad Ali

Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer. Muhammad Ali

The man who has no imagination, has no wing Muhammad Ali

I try not to speak about all the charities and people I help, because I believe we can only be truly generous when we expect nothing in return. Muhammad Ali

Truly great people in history never wanted to be great for themselves. All they wanted was the chance to do good for others and be close to God. Muhammad Ali

Often it isn't the mountains ahead that wear you out, it's the little pebble in your shoe. Muhammad Ali

The day I met Islam, I found a power within myself that no man could destroy or take away from me. Muhammad Ali

The critics only made me work harder. Muhammad Ali

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong. Muhammad Ali

Now I had won the gold medal. But it didn't mean anything, because I didn't have the right color skin. Muhammad Ali

I'm a fighter. I believe in the eye-for-an-eye business. I'm no cheek turner. I got no respect for a man who won't hit back. You kill my dog, you better hide your cat. Muhammad Ali

Inside of a ring or out, ain’t nothing wrong with going down. It’s staying down that’s wrong. Muhammad Ali

We can't be brave without fear. Muhammad Ali

Inside of a ring or out ain't nothing wrong with going down. It's staying down that's wrong. Muhammad Ali

When you're as great as I am it's hard to be humble. Muhammad Ali

At home I am a nice guy but I don't want the world to know. Humble people I've found don't go very far. Muhammad Ali

Ali's got a left, Ali's got a right - when he knocks you down, you'll sleep for the night; and when you lie on the floor and the ref counts to ten, hope and pray that you never meet me again. Muhammad Ali

I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.' Muhammad Ali

It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up. Muhammad Ali

Allah's the Arabic term for God. Stand up for God, fight for God, work for God and do the right thing, and go the right way, things will end up in your corner. Muhammad Ali

The name Muhammad is the most common name in the world. In all the countries around the world - Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon - there are more Muhammads than anything else. When I joined the Nation of Islam and became a Muslim, they gave me the most famous name because I was the champ. Muhammad Ali

Age is whatever you think it is. You are as old as you think you are. Muhammad Ali

Old age is just a record of one's whole life. Muhammad Ali

I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and peace. Muhammad Ali

Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams - they all have different names, but they all contain water. Just as religions do - they all contain truths. Muhammad Ali

I used to tease Joe Louis by reminding him that I was the greatest of all time. But Joe Louis was the greatest heavyweight fighter ever. Muhammad Ali

Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even. Muhammad Ali

When I won the Golden Gloves in 1960, that made me realize I had a chance. And when I won at the Olympics, that sealed it: I was the champ. Muhammad Ali

The word 'Islam' means 'peace.' The word 'Muslim' means 'one who surrenders to God.' But the press makes us seem like haters. Muhammad Ali

I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be. I'm free to be what I want. Muhammad Ali

My way of joking is to tell the truth. That's the funniest joke in the world. Muhammad Ali

He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. Muhammad Ali

My only fault is that I don't realize how great I really am. Muhammad Ali

I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was. Muhammad Ali

It's hard to be humble, when you're as great as I am. Muhammad Ali

It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself. Muhammad Ali

Friendship... is not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything. Muhammad Ali

My principles are more important than the money or my title. Muhammad Ali

Life is a gamble. You can get hurt, but people die in plane crashes, lose their arms and legs in car accidents; people die every day. Same with fighters: some die, some get hurt, some go on. You just don't let yourself believe it will happen to you. Muhammad Ali

I'm just hoping that people understand that Islam is peace and not violence. Muhammad Ali

When you can whip any man in the world, you never know peace. Muhammad Ali

Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up. Muhammad Ali

At home I am a nice guy: but I don't want the world to know. Humble people, I've found, don't get very far. Muhammad Ali