When thinking of motivating sayings, our minds can think of many people that have produced incredible wisdom. Some are more lightweight, while others carry meanings so deep that they are on a whole other level. We believe Muhammad Ali’s quotes fall into the latter category. With his extraordinary feats both inside and outside the ring, Ali floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee when it mattered.
Muhammad Ali was an American professional boxer and an activist who became the personification of sportsmanship, athleticism, and being the best that a person can be. Muhammad's boxing career started as an accident. He was just a twelve-year-old kid fuming over his stolen bike when a police officer and boxing coach, John E. Martin, saw the kid. John told Ali that if he wanted to 'whup' the thieves, he'd better learn how to box. And once he did come for boxing lessons, he soon became a record-breaking sportsman.
One might wonder how you could apply the sayings of a boxer to ordinary life. In the heavyweight champion’s case, he had to go through many personal hardships to reach the top level. Which might make the quotes by Muhammad Ali hit home harder than ever.
There are a lot of famous and inspiring quotes from Muhammad Ali, some of them getting attention even outside of the sporting world. This just goes to show how powerful the fighter was—both physically and mentally.
So step into the ring and read through these motivating Muhammad Ali quotes. No matter what you’re going through, Ali’s words will instill in you the power to overcome any obstacle. Vote for your favorites and share the motivation with your friends and family!
#1
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it — then I can achieve it.”
unknown
Report19points
#2
“Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
unknown
Report18points
#3
“I don’t trust anyone who’s nice to me, but rude to a waiter because they would treat me the same if I were in that position.”
unknown
Report17points
#4
“If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.”
unknown
Report17points
#5
“A man who has no imagination has no wings."
unknown
Report15points
#6
“The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”
unknown
Report14points
#7
“Silence is golden when you can’t think of a good answer.”
unknown
Report14points
#8
“I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.”
unknown
Report14points
With his drive forward, which is portrayed in the motivating quotes on this list, it didn’t take long to adopt the title of The Greatest in the world shortly after his feats as an amateur boxer.
#9
“I would like to be remembered as a man who won the heavyweight title three times. Who was humorous and who treated everyone right. As a man who never looked down on those who looked up to him, and who helped as many people as he could. As a man who stood up for his beliefs no matter what. As a man who tried to unite all humankind through faith and love. And if all that's too much, then I guess I’d settle for being remembered only as a great boxer who became a leader and a champion of his people. And I wouldn’t even mind if folks forgot how pretty I was.”
unknown
Report13points
#10
“To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If not, pretend you are.”
unknown
Report13points
#11
“Don’t count the days; make the days count.”
unknown
Report13points
#12
“My principles are more important than the money or my title.”
unknown
Report13points
#13
“Wisdom is knowing when you can't be wise.”
unknown
Report13points
#14
“The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.”
unknown
Report13points
#15
"I shook up the world. Me! Whee!"
unknown
Report13points
#16
“I'm young; I'm handsome; I'm fast. I can't possibly be beaten.”
unknown
Report13points
#17
“I love children. I can never pass them by without saying something to them. They make you want to start life all over again.”
unknown
Report13points
#18
“I don’t have to be what you want me to be.”
unknown
Report13points
#19
“My way of joking is, to tell the truth. That’s the funniest joke in the world.”
unknown
Report13points
#20
“The critics only made me work harder.”
unknown
Report12points
Any great person is followed by at least a little bit of controversy, but all the fighter wanted was ‘to make people happy’. And that shows very well in these inspiring quotes from Muhammad Ali. Besides, he was also known to be a humanitarian and philanthropist. So, if the greater good isn't in your plans, how could you be one of the most loved activists in the world?