151 Best Muhammad Ali Quotes for Motivation and Inspiration

Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., is celebrated as a legendary professional boxer and a notable social activist.

Born into a segregated society, he evolved into a global icon renowned for his charm, unconventional boxing style and unyielding spirit.

His accomplishments, such as securing the world heavyweight championship thrice and defending the title 19 times, showcased his exceptional talent.

Ali embraced Islam, changing his name and influencing society with his message of Black pride and resistance.

Muhammad Ali

His refusal to participate in the Vietnam War due to religious beliefs led to his boxing exile, which only served to heighten his impact on society.

Despite his deteriorating health in later years, he remained a monumental figure. His later transition to Orthodox Islam signified his spiritual evolution.

Related: Marvin Hagler Quotes from American Professional Boxer and Rocky Marciano Quotes from American Professional Boxer

Beyond boxing, Ali’s legacy thrives in his advocacy for civil rights, making him a perpetual source of motivation and inspiration.

Here are some of the top quotes by Muhammad Ali for you.


Best Muhammad Ali Quotes for Motivation and Inspiration

1. “I am the greatest.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

best-muhammad-ali-quotes

2. “Don’t count the days, make the days count.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

3. “Impossible is nothing.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

4. “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).

5. “I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

6. “The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

7. “What you’re thinking is what you’re becoming.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

8. “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, then I can achieve it.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

9. “Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them – a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

10. “The man with no imagination has no wings.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

11. “To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

top-muhammad-ali-quotes

12. “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

13. “I don’t count my sit-ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. When I feel pain, that’s when I start counting, because that’s when it really counts.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

14. “Live everyday as if it were your last because someday you’re going to be right.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

15. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

16. “I’m going to show you how great I am!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

17. “Often it isn’t the mountains ahead that wear you out, it’s the little pebble in your shoe.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

Top Muhammad Ali Quotes

18. “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).

19. “I’ve wrestled with alligators, I’ve tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightning and thrown thunder in jail. You know I’m bad. Just last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick. I’m so mean, I make medicine sick.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

20. “Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

quotes-from-muhammad-ali

21. “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, then they can sure make something out of you.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

22. “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

23. “The Service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

24. “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).

25. “Success is not achieved by winning all the time. Real success comes when we rise after we fall.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

26. “A man who views the world the same at fifty as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

27. “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

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

29. “Inside of a ring or out, ain’t nothing wrong with going down. It’s staying down that’s wrong.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

30. “You’re not going to enjoy every minute of the journey, but the success you’ll find at the end will make it all worth it.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

31. “Age is whatever you think it is. You are as old as you think you are.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

32. “Success is not achieved by winning all the time. Real success comes when we rise after we fall. Some mountains are higher than others. Some roads steeper than the next. There are hardships and setbacks but you cannot let them stop you. Even on the steepest road you must not turn back.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

33. “True success is reaching our potential without compromising our values.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

34. “God will not place a burden on a man’s shoulders knowing that he cannot carry it.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

Short Muhammad Ali Quotes

35. “We can’t be brave without fear.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

36. “If you even dream of beating me you’d better wake up and apologize.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

37. “I’m the best. I just haven’t played yet.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

38. “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).

39. “The only limitations one has, are the ones they place on themselves.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

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

41. “To the people that have said I’m too small, I’m not fast enough, I don’t have what it takes, I’m not strong enough. THANK YOU.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

42. “In the big leagues everyone has ability. It always comes down to mind games. Whoever is more mentally strong-wins.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

43. “We have one life; it soon will be past; what we do for God is all that will last.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

44. “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).

45. “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).

46. “It’s the lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself. He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life. I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

quotes-by-muhammad-ali

47. “Whoever knocks persistently, ends by entering.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

48. “Who’s gonna dare to be great?” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

49. “The sun is always shining someplace.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

50. “I have learned to live my life one step, one breath, and one moment at a time, but it was a long road. I set out on a journey of love, seeking truth, peace and understanding. I am still learning.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

51. “How could they say that my religion, Islam was a ‘race hate’ religion after all the plunder and enslavement and domination of my people by white Christians in the name of white supremacy?” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

Famous Muhammad Ali Quotes

52. “What keeps me going is goals.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

53. “Now I had won the gold medal. But it didn’t mean anything, because I didn’t have the right color skin.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

54. “It’s not bragging if you can back it up.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

55. “Allah is the Greatest. I’m just the greatest boxer.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

56. “The word ‘Islam’ means ‘peace.’ The word ‘Muslim’ means ‘one who surrenders to God.’ But the press makes us seem like haters.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

57. “There’s nothing wrong with getting knocked down, as long as you get right back up.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

58. “Champions have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

59. “That all you got, George?” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

60. “Every day is different, and some days are better than others, but no matter how challenging the day, I get up and live it.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

61. “I’m so mean I make medicine sick!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

62. “It’s hard to be humble when you’re as great as I am.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

63. “Women are the field that produces our nation. And if you can’t protect your women, you can’t protect your nation.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

64. “Get up sucker and fight. Get up and fight.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

65. “I’m the greatest, I’m a bad man, and I’m pretty!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

66. “When you’re right, nobody remembers. When you’re wrong, nobody forgets.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

famous-muhammad-ali-quotes

67. “I was the first one in the gym, and the last one to leave.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

68. “I was saying “I’m the greatest” long before I believed it.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

69. “I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and peace.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

70. “I’m young, I’m handsome, I’m fast, I’m pretty, and can’t possibly be beat. They must fall in the round I call.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

71. “Now you see me, now you don’t. George thinks he will, but I know he won’t!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

72. “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).

73. “It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

74. “Champions come and go, but to be legendary you got to have heart, more heart than the next man, more than anyone in the world.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

75. “Rest but never quit. Even the sun has a sinking spell each evening. But it always rises the next morning. At sunrise, every soul is born again.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

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

Inspiring Muhammad Ali Quotes

77. “What counts in the ring is what you can do after you’re exhausted. The same is true of life.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

78. “Spirituality is recognizing the divine light that is within us all. It doesn’t belong to any particular religion; it belongs to everyone.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

79. “I don’t count my situps. I only start counting once it starts hurting.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

80. “I’m so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and was in bed before the room was dark.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

81. “My toughest opponent has always been me.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

82. “All black Americans have slave names. They have white names; names that the slave master has given to them.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

83. “God gave me this illness to remind me that I’m not Number One; He is.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

84. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

85. “My only fault is that I don’t realize how great I really am.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

86. “I’m pretty as a girl.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

87. “Once the Choice is Made, Do Not Look Back, Do Not Second-Guess Your Decisions.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

88. “That’s okay, I’m still the Greatest.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

89. “I don’t look like no kiwi bird.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

90. “Money and riches don’t mean nothing to me. I don’t care nothing about being no rich individual. I’m not living for glory or for fame; all this is doomed for destruction. You got it today, tomorrow it’s gone. I got bigger things on my mind than that. I got Islam on my mind.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

91. “I am grateful for all my victories, but I am especially grateful for my losses, because they only made me work harder.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

92. “When a man says I cannot, he has made a suggestion to himself. He has weakened his power of accomplishing that which otherwise would have been accomplished.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

93. “I shook up the world.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

Muhammad Ali Quotes for Motivation

94. “Silence is golden when you can’t think of a good answer.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

95. “It’s hard to be humble, when you’re as great as I am.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

96. “He’s too ugly to be the champ!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

97. “The world’s champ should be pretty like me!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

98. “If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don’t ask how. Hitch him up.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

inspiring-muhammad-ali-quotes

99. “The bull is stronger, but the matador is smarter.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

100. “Prejudice comes from being in the dark; sunlight disinfects it.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

101. “If I could meet anybody? The prophet Muhammad.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

102. “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).

103. “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).

104. “I’ll destroy you. I am the master of disaster.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

105. “I run on the road long before I dance under the lights.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

106. “I’m too fast. I’m too smart. I’m too pretty.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

107. “I don’t always know what I’m talking about, but I know I’m right.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

108. “My wealth is in my knowledge of self, love, and spirituality.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

109. “God gave me Parkinson’s syndrome to show me I’m not ‘The Greatest’ – he is.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

110. “My way of joking is to tell the truth. That’s the funniest joke in the world.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

111. “This life is not real. I conquered the world and it did not bring me satisfaction.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

112. “My health is in the hands of Allah, who has ways of testing us. Whatever happens, happens. I a’int the greatest – it’s Allah. I gave myself a job. I work for God.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

113. “The worst man is the one who sees himself as the best.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

Inspirational Muhammad Ali Quotes

114. “Parkinson’s is my toughest fight. No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s hard to explain. I’m being tested to see if I’ll keep praying, to see if I’ll keep my faith. All great people are tested by God.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

115. “His hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

116. “If you lose a big fight, it will worry you all of your life. It will plague you – until you get your revenge.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

117. “Brooding over blunders is the biggest blunder.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

118. “Children make you want to start life over.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

119. “Our only hope lies in the power of our love, generosity, tolerance and understanding and our commitment to making the world a better place for all…” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

120. “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).

121. “Frazier’s got two chances. Slim, and none. And Slim just left town.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

122. “Others may know pleasure, but pleasure is not happiness. It has no more importance than a shadow following a man.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

123. “In a competition of love we’ll all share in the victory, no matter who comes first.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

124. “I’m most proud of my family.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

125. “Stay in college, get the knowledge. And stay there until you’re through. If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you. Advice to a young person to continue his education.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

126. “Tolerance and understanding won’t ‘trickle down’ in our society any more than wealth does.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

127. “My definition of evil is unfriendliness.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

128. “The sweetness of life lies in dispensing with formalities.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

129. “Last night I had a dream. When I got to Africa, I had one hell of a rumble. I had to beat Tarzan’s behind first, for claiming to be King of the Jungle.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

130. “Whoever listens to slander is himself a slanderer.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

131. “There’s nothing stressful about turning 50 except people reminding you about it.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

132. “No pork, soda pop, cigarettes, alcohol – ever!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

133. “Even the greatest was once a beginner. Don’t be afraid to take that first step.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

134. “There’s a reason I’m known – to bring people to Allah, to God.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

135. “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).

136. “I’ll tell you how I’d like to be remembered: As a black man who won the heavyweight title – Who has humorous and who never looked down on those who looked up to him – A man who stood for freedom, justice and equality – And I wouldn’t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

137. “When your mother dies, it really hurts. But with time, you get used to it. That’s nature’s way.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

138. “I’m gonna whup whoever stole my bike!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

139. “I am the greatest. I said that even before I knew I was. Don’t tell me I can’t do something. Don’t tell me it’s impossible. Don’t tell me I’m not the greatest. I’m the double greatest.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

140. “You don’t want no pie in the sky when you die, you want something here on the ground while you’re still around.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

141. “Why do I want my wife to show off her panties when the wind blows? Horses show their behinds, and cows and mules, not humans.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

Motivational Muhammad Ali Quotes

142. “No boxer in the history of boxing has had Parkinson’s. There’s no injury in my brain that suggests that the illness came from boxing.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

143. “It will be a killer, and a chiller, and a thriller, when I get the gorilla in Manila.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

144. “My toughest fight was with my first wife.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

145. “I’m the most recognized and loved man that ever lived cuz there weren’t no satellites when Jesus and Moses were around, so people far away in the villages didn’t know about them.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

146. “When my title was taken away boxing died.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

147. “Religions have different names, and they all contain truth, expressed in different ways forms and times.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

148. “Women are not equal with men, that’s sure. When the woman is in danger she always looks to the man for help. We are superior by nature. The black or white woman needn’t worry in life because the world is ruled by the white man.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

149. “I say get an education. Become an electrician, a mechanic, a doctor, a lawyer, anything but a fighter. In this trade, it’s the managers that make the money and last the longest.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

150. “Put yourself out on a limb, sucka, like me!” ~ (Muhammad Ali).

151. “There is one hell of a difference between fighting in the ring and going to war in Vietnam.” ~ (Muhammad Ali).


So these were some of the top quotes by Muhammad Ali.


You Might Like

Share with others!
Chandan Negi
Chandan Negi

I’m the Founder of Internet Pillar - I love sharing quotes and motivational content to inspire and motivate people - #quotes #motivation #internetpillar