Muhammad Ali Quotes

“The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”
― Muhammad Ali

“It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.”
― 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, The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey

“Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise.”
― Muhammad Ali

“No one starts out on top. You have to work your way up. Some mountains are higher than others, some roads steeper than the next. There are hardships and setbacks, but you can't let them stop you. Even on the steepest road, you must not turn back. You must keep going up. In order to reach the top of the mountain, you have to climb every rock.”
― 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, The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey

“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 Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey

“When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said,

“Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.

Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected.

Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell.

Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them.”

He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”
― Hana Ali, More Than a Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Presented Through His Daughter's Eyes

“The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” -”
― Muhammad Ali

“It's ironic when black non-Muslims say Islam is not a religion that uplifts black people when two of the most celebrated black heroes in recent history were both Muslim; Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali.”
― Habeeb Akande

“Anything the mind can conceive, the body can do.”
― Ken Norton Boxing Hall of Famer

“It ain't braggin if you can back it up...”
― Dizzy Dean, How It Feels To Be a Has-Been: And Other Essays from Baseball Greats in Their Own Words

“You my opposer when I want FREEDOM, you my
opposer when I want JUSTICE, you my opposer
when I want EQUALITY, you won't even stand up
for me in AMERICA for my religious beliefs, you
want me to go somewhere & fight, and you won't
even stand up for me at home. If I'm gonna die, I'll
die right here fighting you. I don't care, put me in
jail”
― Muhammad Ali

“Of all the great heavyweights of modern times, Joe Frazier was the unluckiest. He had to share an era with both Ali and Foreman.”
― Jim Bailey

“Ali roared and his words
They just set me free
Rumble in the jungle little boy
Go and show your teeth

Tingle on your tongue, burn 'em slow
Sting 'em like a bee
Be humble in your core, bar the door
Let the doubters be
Let the doubters be

Redemption for an eternity
In the flesh, in the bone
Sturdier than a rhino’s horn
In my breath, in my tone
Levitate off of an angel’s song
This is the modern day halcyon
Straight from the immortal champion”
― Soroosh Shahrivar, Letter 19

“The three fights of Ali and Frazier were Judgment Day, Purgatory and Hell.”
― Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu

“If I was asked to choose a friend from history to have dinner with, I’d definitely pick Muhammad Ali, because he was the same person, inside and out. He practised what he preached, even if it meant going to prison, in a time of social division – a time of war and racial tensions. When you manage to send out important messages from the platform afforded to a world champion athlete, messages that reach around the world, then you’re something far more than simply an athlete. You’re an icon, a symbol – everything. I would have loved to spend some time chatting with him.”
― Zlatan Ibrahimović, Adrenalina. My untold stories