47 Greatest Muhammad Ali Quotes of All Time

May 28, 2021

Muhammad Ali was an American pro boxer, philanthropist and activist who is considered as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Frequently ranked as the best heavyweight boxer ever Ali won a gold medal at the 1960 summer Olympics and the world heavyweight boxing championship in 1964.

Famous for his fights for racial equality, anti war views and religious freedom, true hero of his generation Muhammad Ali reamains one of the most inspirational Athlete of the 20th century.

Here’s a set of the 47 most inspiring Muhammad Ali's quotes:

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

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

3. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands can’t hit, what your eyes can’t see.” Muhammad Ali

4. “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

5."I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest." Muhammad Ali

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6.“People don’t realize what they had till it’s gone. Like President Kennedy, there was no one like him, the Beatles, and my man Elvis Presley. I was the Elvis of boxing.” Muhammad Ali

7. “The man who has no imagination has no wings.” Muhammad Ali

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

9. “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

10. "I'm young; I'm handsome; I'm fast. I can't possibly be beat." Muhammad Ali

11. "Don’t count the days; make the days count." Muhammad Ali

12. “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” Muhammad Ali

13. “If you even dream of beating me you'd better wake up and apologize.” Muhammad Ali

14. “Braggin' is when a person says something and can’t do it. I do what I say.” Muhammad Ali

15. "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

16. “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.” Muhammad Ali

17."I should be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever get licked." Muhammad Ali

18. “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

19. "I am the astronaut of boxing. Joe Louis and Dempsey were just jet pilots. I'm in a world of my own." Muhammad Ali

20. “I’ve wrestled with alligators. I’ve tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightning. And throw thunder in jail.” Muhammad Ali

21. "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

22. “I’m not the greatest, I’m the double greatest.” Muhammad Ali

23. “Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right.” Muhammad Ali

24. "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." Muhammad Ali

25. “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it." Muhammad Ali

26. “It isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.” Muhammad Ali

27. "I am the astronaut of boxing. Joe Louis and Dempsey were just jet pilots. I'm in a world of my own." Muhammad Ali

28. “I’ve wrestled with alligators. I’ve tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightning. And throw thunder in jail.” Muhammad Ali

29. “Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you're going to be right.” Muhammad Ali

30. “It’s not bragging if you can back it up.” Muhammad Ali

31. "Train insane or remain the same" Muhammad Ali ( canvas available here )

32. “Silence is golden when you can’t think of a good answer.” Muhammad Ali

33. “Life is a gamble. You can get hurt, but people die in plane crashes, losetheir 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

34. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Muhammad Ali

35. “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

36. “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.” Muhammad Ali

37. “To be able to give away riches is mandatory if you wish to possess them. This is the only way that you will be truly rich.” Muhammad Ali

38. “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

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

40. “I’ve made my share of mistakes along the way, but if I have changed even one life for the better, I haven’t lived in vain.” Muhammad Ali

41. “A rooster crows only when it sees the light. Put him in the dark and he’ll never crow. I have seen the light and I’m crowing.” Muhammad Ali

42. “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Muhammad Ali

43. “I don’t have to be what you want me to be.” Muhammad Ali

44. “I am an ordinary man who worked hard to develop the talent I was given. I believed in myself, and I believe in the goodness of others.” Muhammad Ali

45. “My only fault is that I don’t realize how great I really am.” Muhammad Ali

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

47. “The man who has no imagination has no wings.” Muhammad Ali