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About this quote

What does it mean?
Ali normalizes violence as routine work, comparing fighting to natural phenomena like grass growing.
In plain terms
Fighting is just my job, like nature does its work.
What can you take from it?
Treat your work as a natural, necessary part of life.

Where it applies

  • professional sports
  • daily work routine
  • explaining one's career

Putting it to work

  • normalize difficult work
  • explain your profession

Questions to consider

  • How do you make difficult work feel normal?
  • What is your job to nature?

Another view

It glosses over the emotional and physical toll of fighting.

More from Muhammad Ali

  1. Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wildlife.

    Permalink to quote #19
  2. I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round

    Permalink to quote #21
  3. Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head.

    Permalink to quote #18

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