Extended excerpt [Newspaper interview]:

“I’m at the end of my career,” said the 35-year old Ali, studying a larger-than-life-size portrait of himself, in mosaic tile. “I have a few fights left in me, that’s all.”

But he won’t miss boxing, he said, in a somewhat hoarse and weary-sounding voice. “It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.” (p. C1, column 2)

Source link: “Life with Ali (in Neutral Corner)” (6 April 1977) online via ‘Times Machine’ [subscription service] The New York Times: http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1977/04/06/issue.html

Re-quote notes: Additional early examples of Ali (as Cassius Clay) using variations of the “sting like a bee” taunt include:

7 January 1964 – “Cassius may look bad chasing a rabbit, but he’s going to be in with a lion – and it’s going to be like he had a gun,” said Drew (Bundini) Brown, who is one of Clay’s volunteer trainers. “Ain’t Clay beautiful? He floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee.”

[Requote souce: Cassius Clay [Muhammad Ali], “Brotherly Love! Rudy Conks Cassius” (7 January 1964) John Crittenden, Miami News, Miami, FL, p. 38, column 2; online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com]

17 February 1964 – “Float like a butterfly, Sting like a bee. Wow! Wow! Wow!” Where else but Cassius Clay’s camp could you hear such menacing gestures. But those are the words the Louisville Lip trains to these days, according to trainer Drew Brown, who does the chanting. “It gives Clay a feeling of ultra confidence,” says Brown smartly.”

[Requote souce: Cassius Clay [Muhammad Ali], cited in “Sports Shorts” (17 February 1964) Independent newspaper, Long Beach, CA, Vol. 26, No. 148, column 2, p. 21; online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com]

26 February 1964 – “It started between the fourth and fifth rounds. “Floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee” as he and his stooges had predicted, Cassius had made Liston look like a bull moose plodding through a swamp.”

[Requote souce: Cassius Clay [Muhammad Ali], “Eat Your Words,’ Cassius Bawls to Press” (26 February 1964) The Boston Globe, Vol. 185, No. 57, Boston: Globe Newspaper Co., p. 44, column 2; online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com]

Extended excerpt [Newspaper profile of Ali’s trainer, Drew “Bundini” Brown.  In 1964, Ali was still known as Cassius Clay.]:

“Even if it’s untrue, Bundini rates a hearing on his speeches alone. “Floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee” is the Clay camp slogan for the month, and this is a Bundini product. Even if Drew Brown were no trainer at all, he would be an asset as a scriptwriter.” (p. 3B)

Source link [7 January 1964]: “Brotherly Love! Rudy Conks Cassius” (7 January 1964) Miami News, online via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/302032158/?terms=%22Float%2Blike%2Ba%2Bbutterfly%22%2B%2B%2B%22sting%2Blike%2Ba%2Bbee%22

Source link [Featured source]:  “No Man Makes Good with Clay” (10 February 1964) The Miami News, online via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/302070337/?terms=%22Float%2Blike%2Ba%2Bbutterfly%22%2B%2B%2B%22sting%2Blike%2Ba%2Bbee%22

Source link [17 February 1964]: “Sport Shorts” (17 February 1964) Independent; via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/17597081/?terms=%22Float%2Blike%2Ba%2Bbutterfly%2C%2Bsting%2Blike%2Ba%2Bbee.%2BWow%2C%2Bwow%2C%2Bwow%22

Source link [26 February 1964]: “Eat Your Words,’ Cassius Bawls to Press” (26 February 1964) The Boston Globe; via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/433769449/?terms=%22stinging%2Blike%2Ba%2Bbee%22

Misquote note: Some online sources have paraphrased the quote from Ali’s autobiography by eliminating the word “only” and changing “I’m” to “I am”:

Original quote: “I am America. Only, I’m the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own – get used to me!”

Misquote: “I am America. I am the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own – get used to me!”

Extended excerpt  [Ali, on what he wanted to say to defeated opponent Floyd Patterson after their November 1965 boxing match. Ali & Patterson were both African American boxing champions, but Ali felt that the match was being viewed by many white sports industry executives, advertisers, celebrity fans & journalists as a chance for “a nice Catholic boy” (Patterson) to “defeat a Black Muslim.” (Ali, p. 219)]:

“But it was not you that I was trying to beat and knock out. It was those backing you. I was talking back to them. I was saying, “I am America. Only, I’m the part you won’t recognize. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own – get used to me! I can make it without your approval! I won’t let you beat me and I won’t let your Negro beat me!”

But I couldn’t explain it to him, so I let the chance go by.” (p. 219)

Source link: Library – The Greatest: Muhammad Ali (1975) International Standard Book Number (ISBN) 0-394-46268-8

Re-quote notes – Two examples of many notable “I am the greatest” variations from Ali:

“I have said I am the greatest. Ain’t nobody ever heard me say I was the smartest.”

Muhammad Ali – Responding to a question about his failure to pass written Army pre-induction tests, “Alex Haley Interviews Cassius Clay” (1 October 1964) Interview with author Alex Haley, Playboy magazine, Vol. 11, No. 10, ISSN 0032-1478

“I’m not just the greatest, I’m the double greatest.”

Muhammad Ali – Cited in profile story “Paradox of Cassius” (February 1964) Will Grimsley, Associated Press (AP) Miami Beach, FL; in The Indiana Gazette, Indiana, PA, Vol. 64, No. 165, p. 19, column 6; online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com

Extended excerpt [Press statement, repeated in profile prior to Ali’s match with heavyweight boxer Archie Moore]:

“I am the greatest,” is his constant refrain. “If Moore stays 12 rounds with me, I’ll kiss his feet in the ring and tell him that he is the greatest. But my aim is to retire all old men from the ring, starting with Moore.” (p. 29, column 5) 

Source link [Featured source – ‘I am the greatest’]: “Boxing Careers of Moore, Clay At Stake in Thursday’s Battle” (11 November 1962) Ogden Standard-Examiner, online via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/31336836/

Source link [Re-quote – ‘double-greatest’]: “Paradox of Cassisu” (27 February 1964) The Indiana Gazette, online via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/13931412/?terms=%22I%27m%2Bnot%2Bjust%2Bthe%2Bgreatest.%2BI%27m%2Bthe%2Bdouble%2Bgreatest%22

Source [Re-quote – ‘’the smartest’]: Library – “Alex Haley Interviews Cassius Clay” (October 1964) Playboy magazine, International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) 0032-1478

Re-quote notes – Variations of the quote include:

“If Cassius says a mosquito can pull a plow, don’t ask how.”

“If Ali says a mosquito can pull a plow, don’t ask how.”

“If Allah says a mosquito can pull a plow, don’t ask him how.”

Extended excerpt  [Ali poem in LIFE magazine. Poem title ellipsis are original to cited source.]:

“How can you conquer a man so fast?

I’m sure his opponents have tried their best,

But one by one on the canvas they rest.

Everyone knew when Cassius wasn’t around,

For quietness descended on the town,

If Clay says a mosquito can pull a plow,

Don’t ask him how –

Hitch him up!” (p. 62B)

Source note: Muhammad Ali used & professional boxed under his birth name, Cassius Clay, until 1964

Source link: “…I’m the Greatest: A Poem by Cassius Clay” (15 February 1963) online via LIFE magazine & Google Books:  https://books.google.com/books?id=n0EEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=If+Cassius+says+a+mosquito+can+pull+a+plow,+don%E2%80%99t+ask+how. 

Extended excerpt: [Ali – then still known by his birth name, Cassius Clay – speaking to the press about his upcoming fight against Floyd Patterson]

“When he picks on me, he’s crazy. I’ll have a good whuppin’ for him. I’ll beat him so bad, he’ll need a shoehorn to put his hat on.” (p. S2, column 7)

Source link: “Sports of the Times” (21 November 1965) online via New York Times archives [subscription service]: https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1965/11/21/98464308.html?pageNumber=322

Extended excerpt  [Newspaper interview]:

“I’m at the end of my career,” said the 35-year old Ali, studying a larger-than-life-size portrait of himself, in mosaic tile. “I have a few fights left in me, that’s all.”

But he won’t miss boxing, he said, in a somewhat hoarse and weary-sounding voice. “It’s just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.” (p. C1, column 2)

Source link: “Life with Ali (in Neutral Corner)” (6 April 1977) online via ‘Times Machine’ [subscription service] The New York Times: http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1977/04/06/issue.html

Extended excerpt [Magazine interview]:

Linderman: “Since a lot of people are wondering about this, level with us: Do you write all the poetry you pass off as your own?”

Ali: Sure I do…But poems aren’t the only thing I’ve been writing. I’ve also been setting my mind to sayings. You want to hear some?”

Linderman: “Do we have a choice?”

Ali: “You listen up and maybe I’ll make you as famous as I made Howard Cosell. “Wars on nations are fought to change maps, but wars on poverty are fought to map change.” Good, huh? “The man who views the world at 50 the same he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” These are words of wisdom, so pay attention, Mr. Playboy. “The man who has no imagination stands on the earth – he has no wings, he cannot fly.” Catch this: “When we are right, no one remembers, but when we are wrong, no one forgets. Watergate!” I really like the next one: “Where is man’s wealth? His wealth is in his knowledge. If his wealth was in the bank and not in his knowledge, then he doesn’t possess it – because it’s in the bank!” You got all that?” […]
[Repeat Right: Ali went on to share a few more sayings, and then asked]:

“…How do you like this one: “Love is a net where hearts are caught like fish”?

Linderman: “Isn’t that a little corny?”

Ali [cheekily]: “I knew you wasn’t smart as soon as I laid eyes on you.” […]

Source: “This is the Legend of Muhammad Ali, the Greatest Fighter That Ever Will Be” (3 June 2016 reissue of 1 Nov. 1975 interview) online via Playboy. Note: Online version of article removed as of September 2018. Library – International Standard Serial Number 0032-1478

Requote note: Ali repeated variations of his poem on several different occasions.  One example, from a September 1974 press conference:

“I have wrassled with an alligator. I done tussled with a whale. I done handcuffed lightening, throw thunder in jail. That’s bad! Only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalized a brick. I’m so mean I make medicine sick.”

[Requote source: Muhammad Ali, speaking to the press (September 1974) Waldorf Astoria Hotel, New York City, New York; video online via “Muhammad Ali – “I’ll Show You How Great I Am” speech,” posted 4 June 2016 (video – 1:17; quote begins approx. 0:38) online via YouTube, www.youtube.com]

Extended excerpt  [Newspaper report, following press conference the day before]:

“I tussled with an alligator,” Muhammad Ali recited. “I wrassled with a whale. I handcuffed lightening. And I threw thunder in jail. “Yesterday I murdered a rock. I injured a stone. And I hospitalized a brick. I’m so mean, I make medicine sick.” He is still poetry in motion. Motion in poetry. He is 32, but his tonsils have not lost their resiliency.” (p. 45, column 1)

Source link [Featured source]: “Ali Still Hits Hard with Punch Lines” (18 July 1974) Philadelphia Daily News, online via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/185963435/

Source link [Requote]: “Muhammad Ali – “I’ll Show You How Great I Am” speech” (speech: Sept. 1974|video posted: 4 June 2016) online via YouTube.com: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LSewbS5eQI

Extended excerpt  [Brief news item in monthly magazine]:

“Violence is the worst thing we can think of,” Muhammad Ali, otherwise known as Cassius Marcellus Clay, cautioned delegates to a National Conference of Black Students in Minneapolis. “It’s like a bull running into a locomotive. You can admire the bull for his courage, but he’ll still end up splattered all over the track.” Strange words indeed from a man who used to make his living with his fists – but Ali, undefeated but defrocked heavyweight champion, was not pulling any punches on the race question.” (p. 33, columns 1-2)

Source link: “People” (21 February 1969) online via ‘The Vault,’ TIME magazine archives [subscription service]: http://time.com/vault/issue/1969-02-21/page/35/

Misattribution notes: A number of famous personalities have been credited as the source of the quote “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” People who are known to have repeated versions of the phrase in interviews or other forums include championship boxer Muhammad Ali, baseball pitcher Satchel Paige, and comedian Jack Benny.  None of these sources, however, appear to pre-date the 1966 government report. [Note: Benny was known to use the “mind over matter” part of the phase before this date.]

Although American author Mark Twain has been credited with using the phrase “mind over matter,” we could find no evidence to support the idea that he coined the full quote shown above.

Re-quote notes: The specific phrase “Growing old is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter” appears to have been popularized by the Veterans Administration report, but the “mind over matter” phrase – and it’s connection to aging – has been in circulation for well over a century.

Following the publication and subsequent publicity of the 1966 Veterans Administration report, their “growing old” quote spawned a number of variations in newspapers and books. A few examples include:

1966 – “The process of growing old is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.” – “Alabama Baptist”

[Source: Short ‘filler’ quote, Word and Way, Kansas City, Missouri, p. 3, column 1; online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com]

1970 – “Age is mostly a matter of mind. If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.”

[Source: 1970-1971 “Jest a minute” or “Chuckle” joke featured in a number of U.S. newspapers]

1970 – “Growing old is only a question of mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – “Reinnie’s Ramblings”

[Source: “Reinnie’s Ramblings” (15 September 1970) Manitowoc Herald-Times, Mantiowoc, WI, p. 17, column 8; online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com]

1972 – “Old age is a question of mind over matter…If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.” – “Larry DeLookey”

[Excerpt [Newspaper short anecdotes feature]: “Old age is a question of mind over matter, says Larry DeLookey. “If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter.”]

Source: “Off the Hook” (3 December 1972) Focus magazine, supplement in Quad-City Times-Democrat, Davenport, IA, p. T-3 [p. 158 of full edition .pdf]; online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com]

1974 – “Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Comedian Jack Benny

[Excerpt [Newspaper article]: “Benny’s only comment on his 80th birthday has been this line from his nightclub act: “Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” (p. 9)]

Source: “Benny wants no fanfare on his 80th” (14 February 1974) Associated Press (AP) Palm Springs, CA; in The Newark Advocate, Newark, Ohio, p. 9, column 3; online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com]

Extended excerpt [Report showcasing Veterans Administration (VA) medical research highlights from 1965. No author name is provided.]:

“Growing old is a question of mind over matter – if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter, researchers discovered at the VA Hospital in Houston. Groups, regardless of age, have been evaluated to assess attitudes toward “growing old” and to explore the role of self-image and attitudes about one’s body in the process of aging. Individuals, regardless of age, who are productive and effective in their vocational activities do not conceive of themselves as “growing old” or of aging.” (p. 27, column 1)

Source note: The Veterans Administration (VA) report was quoted in a June 1966 article by William A. Garrett of the Press Bureau office. The article ran in a number of American newspapers, and it is likely responsible for helping to popularize a quote that might otherwise been read by a limited number of people in the government report.

The first lines from the Garrett article:

“Growing old is simply a question of mind over matter – if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

   That, says the Veterans Administration, is the concensus [sic] of VA researchers in the psychology of aging. Research in the field is being done at 38 or nearly a fourth of VA’s hospitals and in outpatient clinics.” (p. 3B)

[Article source: “Growing Old: Question of Mind Over Matter” (23 June 1966) William A. Garrett, Press Bureau, Washington, D.C.; in The Evening Press, Binghamton, NY, Vol. 88, p. 3B, column 1 [p. 15 of full edition .pdf – quote also appears on the upper right corner of the front page of the paper under the heading “Mind, Matter”] online via Newspapers.com [subscription service] www.newspapers.com]

Source link [Featured source]: 1965 Highlights of VA Medical Research (1966) online via HathiTrust: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.ax0001671239;view=1up;seq=33

Source link [Source note – June 1966 newspaper article]: “Growing Old: Question of Mind Over Matter” (23 June 1966) The Evening Press, via Newspapers.com [subscription service] – https://www.newspapers.com/image/254562854

Source link: [Re-quote – 1966– ‘Alabama Baptist’]: Word and Way (18 August 1966) via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/335060273/?terms=%22Growing%2Bold%2Bis%2Ba%2Bquestion%2Bof%2Bmind%2Bover%2Bmatter%22

Source link: [Re-quote – 1972 – ‘Larry DeLookey]: “Off the Hook” (3 December 1972) Times-Democrat, via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/304953773

Source link: [Re-quote – 1974 – Jack Benny paraphrase]: “Benny wants no fanfare on his 80th” (14 February 1974) The Newark Advocate, via Newspapers.com [subscription service]: https://www.newspapers.com/image/293870252/?terms=%22Age%2Bis%2Bstrictly%2Ba%2Bcase%2Bof%2Bmind%2Bover%2Bmatter%22

Misattribution note: American championship boxer Muhammad Ali – and his daughter and fellow-boxer, Laila Ali – were two of the athletes featured in the 2004 “Impossible is nothing” Adidas advertisement. Although other athletes were also featured in the campaign, the words cited here did appear superimposed over an image of Ali — leading some to believe that it was a quote from the boxer himself.  The words, however, were original to Aimee Lehto (Schewe), the author of the advertising copy.

Misquote note: One common misquote omits the original “Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare.,” and adds “Impossible is nothing.”]:

Misquote: “Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”

Original Adidas advertising copy: “Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary.”

Extended excerpt  [None – full advertising ‘manifesto’ shown. Original work for the 2004 Adidas sportwear advertising campaign.]:

“Impossible is just a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary.”

Source link: “Impossible is Nothing Adidas” (no date – accessed March 2018) online via Aimee Lehto Schewe: http://www.withtwoees.com/work#/impossibleisnothing/