I hit him so hard that I made him cry. He looked at me and said, 'I'm going to get you for that.' I respected him then, and I respect him now.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Ali respects an opponent's resilience and ability to take a punch, viewing it as a sign of character.
- In plain terms
- I respect opponents who can handle my best shots.
- What can you take from it?
- Respect is earned through toughness and endurance.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What traits earn your respect in others?
- How do you handle aggression?
Another view
Violence is not the only way to earn respect.
More from Muhammad Ali
If my mind can conceive it; and my heart can believe it - then I can achieve it.
Permalink to quote #108 Clay is a good enough fighter, but it's unfortunate that he's a Black Muslim. A champion should represent all sects, not one.
Permalink to quote #110 No Vietnamese ever called me a nigger. (Sometimes quoted as 'No Viet Cong ever called me a nigger.')
Permalink to quote #107
Related quotes
A gentleman can live through anything.
William FaulknerWilliam Faulkner quote #8 And though hard be the task, 'Keep a stiff upper lip'.
Phoebe CaryPhoebe Cary quote #1 Admire the diamond that can bear the hits of a hammer. Many deceptive preachers, when critically examined, turn out to be false.
KabirKabir quote #2