Insights from Muhammad Ali

ALI. Principle over money. AP

MUHAMMAD ALI has left his old, frail body that was weakened by Parkinson’s disease. As he was leaving, his close friends and family whispered goodbye into his ears and read from the Quran. It was a peaceful and sober departure for the boxing legend. Out of respect and love for others, he had, in advance, instructed that leaders of various religious faiths be invited to his memorial service. Some of Ali’s insights on life:

He who isn’t courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing.

Friendship is not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.

I’ve made my share of mistakes along the way, but if I have changed even one life for the better, I haven’t lived in vain.

Allah’s the Arabic term for God. Stand up for God, fight for God, work for God and do the right thing. Go the right way, and things will end up in your corner.

Terrorists don’t follow Islam. Blowing up people or dropping bombs is not the way to spread Islam. Muslims are not terrorists.

It isn’t the mountain ahead to climb that wears you out; it’s the pebble in your shoe.

Hating people because of their skin color is wrong—it doesn’t matter which color does the hating. It’s just wrong.
The only thing that matters is submitting to the will of God.

I never thought of losing, but now that it’s happened, the only thing is to do it right. That’s my obligation to the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life.

My principles are more important than money or any title!

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