Quotes to inspire and reflect

On arrival in Zaire for ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’.

It don’t seem possible, but 28 million people run this country and not one white man is involved. I used to think that Africans were savages. But now I am here I have learnt that many Africans are wiser than we are.

Prejudice comes from being in the dark; sunlight disinfects it.

I had to prove you could be a new kind of black man. I had to show the world.

White people just don't want their slaves to be free. That's the whole thing.

I know I got it made while the masses of black people are catchin' hell, but as long as they ain't free, I ain't free.

When you can whip any man in the world, you never know peace.

Hating people because of their color is wrong. And it doesn't matter which color does the hating. It's just plain wrong.

I'm a Muslim. I've been a Muslim for 20 years. . .. You know me. I'm a boxer. I've been called the greatest. People recognize me for being a boxer and a man of truth. I wouldn't be here representing Islam if it were terrorist. . .. I think all people should know the truth, come to recognize the truth. Islam is peace.

Cassius Clay is a name that white people gave to my slave master. Now that I am free, that I don't belong anymore to anyone, that I'm not a slave anymore, I gave back their white name, and I chose a beautiful African one.

Most people don't pray until they're in trouble. When people need help they pray a lot. But after they get what they want, they slow down. If a man takes five showers a day, his body will be clean. Praying five times a day helps me clean my mind.

I don't smoke but I keep a match box in my pocket, when my heart slips towards sin, I burn the matchstick and heat my palm with it, then say to myself, "Ali you can't even bear this heat, how would you bear the unbearable heat of hellfire”?

Parkinson’s is my toughest fight. No, it doesn’t hurt. It’s hard to explain. I’m being tested to see if I will keep praying, to see if I will keep my faith. All great people are tested by God.

Maybe Parkinson’s is God’s way of reminding me what is important. It slowed me down and caused me to listen rather than talk. People pay more attention to me now because I don’t talk so much.

I’m not afraid of dying. I have faith; I do everything I can to live my life right; and I believe that dying will bring me closer to God.

I have not lost [Allah's] hope in us to show compassion where none exists and to extend mercy in the most difficult of circumstances. We as Muslims must lead by example.

Our political leaders should use their position to bring understanding about the religion of Islam and clarify that these misguided murderers have perverted people’s views on what Islam really is.

And if God ever calls me to a holy war, I want Joe (Frazier) fighting beside me.

The Nation Of Islam taught that white people are devils. I don’t believe that now; in fact, I never really believed that.

I am a Muslim and there is nothing Islamic about killing innocent people in Paris, San Bernardino, or anywhere else in the world. True Muslims know that the ruthless violence of so called Islamic Jihadists goes against the very tenets of our religion.

I’d rather be punished here in this life than the hereafter.

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.

Allah is the Greatest. I'm just the greatest boxer

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

I'm just hoping that people understand that Islam is peace and not violence.

God’s got me here for something. I can feel it. I was born for everything that I’m doing now.

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

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.

Terrorists are not following Islam. Killing people and blowing up people and dropping bombs in places and all this is not the way to spread the word of Islam. So people realize now that all Muslims are not terrorists.

I'm no leader; I'm a little humble follower.

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

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.

My soul has grown over the years, and some of my views have changed. As long as I am alive, I will continue to try to understand more because the work of the heart is never done.

I’ll tell you how I would like to be remembered: As a black man who won the heavyweight title - Who was humorous and 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.

Whatever the challenge was, however unattainable the goal may have seemed, I never let anyone talk me out of believing in myself.

Every day is different, and some days are better than others, but no matter how challenging the day, I get up and live it.

This life is not real. I conquered the world and it did not bring me satisfaction.

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.

Fighting by itself doesn't interest me anymore. I want to help people, the black people and I need any kind of media to spread my thought: God, charity, peace.

I don't know how many millions I'll make, so I have to give some back to charity. God blesses me with the money, but only if I give some away.

I don’t count my sit ups. I only start counting when it starts hurting. That is when I start counting, because then it really counts. That’s what makes you a champion.

If your dreams don’t scare you, then they are not big enough.

When a chivalrous man makes an oath, he is faithful to it, and when he attains power, he spares his enemy.

You don't want no pie in the sky when you die, you want something here on the ground while you're still around.

Love is a net that catches hearts like a fish.

Give up what appears to be doubtful for what is certain. Truth brings peace of mind, and deception doubt.

My toughest fight was with my first wife.

Life is like a boxing match defeat is not declared when you fall, but when you refuse to stand back up.