"Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn't choose it and I don't want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name – it means 'beloved of God,' and I insist that people use it when they speak to me and of me."

"I'm not against any man, any woman, any child, any religion. I'm for all of them."

"It's hard to be humble when you're as great as I am."

"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 the king of the ropes."