Quotes by Muhammad Ali

At home I am a nice guy but I dont want the world to know. Humble people Ive found dont go very far.

Alis got a left, Alis got a right - when he knocks you down, youll 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.

I hated every minute of training, but I said, Dont quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.

Its just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.

Allahs 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.

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.

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

Old age is just a record of ones whole life.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

I know where Im going and I know the truth, and I dont have to be what you want me to be. Im free to be what I want.

My way of joking is to tell the truth. Thats the funniest joke in the world.

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

My only fault is that I dont realize how great I really am.

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

Its hard to be humble, when youre as great as I am.