I figured that if I said it enough, I would convince the world that I really was the greatest.

If we don’t succeed we run the risk of failure.

I’m always trying. Between every book, I think, ‚Well now, it’s time to get down to the serious stuff.‘

Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.

A self-taught man usually has a poor teacher and a worse student.

It’s stasis that kills you off in the end, not ambition.

Out of timber so crooked as that from which man is made nothing entirely straight can be carved.

A good objective of leadership is to help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who are doing well to do even better.

Lots of young players have triumphed at United, so why can’t it happen to me? I’m not worried I’m young – it’s an incentive to do the best I can.

To all the positions, I just bring the determination to win. Me being an unselfish player, I think that can carry on to my teammates. When you have one of the best players on the court being unselfish, I think that transfers to the other players.

If a man constantly aspires is he not elevated?

I know Elon, we’re very like minded in many ways. We’re not conceptual twins. One thing I want us to do is go to Mars, but for me it’s one thing. He’s singularly focused on that. I think motivation wise, for me I don’t find that Plan B idea motivating. I don’t want a plan B for Earth, I want Plan B to make sure Plan A works.

It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.

If you have an enemy, then learn and know your enemy, don’t just be mad at him or her.

When you are content to be simply yourself and don’t compare or compete, everybody will respect you.

I think people should feel encouraged to be themselves.

If something’s important enough, you should try. Even if – the probable outcome is failure.

It was high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, ‚always do what you are afraid to do.‘

The man who is intent on making the most of his opportunities is too busy to bother about luck.

I do not abuse players. I talk to myself; I abuse myself. It’s my way of letting off steam. I do it after every century; I do not do it always. I keep telling myself: ‚Improve, improve from the previous match, the previous shot. You can do it.‘

I wish everyone well, but you need to focus on yourself. You need to stop putting your hand out. Everyone wants hand outs. Everyone wants things for free. You’ve got to put in the work. You’ve got to grind. You’ve got go through the struggle, and you’ve got to get it.

If I had a talent, it was for looking askew at everything, possibly more than my contemporaries. But I had to really push myself to be a writer.

If you’re walking down the right path and you’re willing to keep walking, eventually you’ll make progress.

In the Raphael Room, the secret turned out to be that only some of the paintings were made by the great master; the rest were made by students. I had liked the ones by Raphael. This was a big jab for my self-confidence in my ability to appreciate art.

The best people renounce all for one goal, the eternal fame of mortals; but most people stuff themselves like cattle.

I knew early on that I wanted to entertain in some form. And I knew I would work as hard as anyone to do it.

If the leader is filled with high ambition and if he pursues his aims with audacity and strength of will, he will reach them in spite of all obstacles.

If you get knocked down – setbacks in life, like applying for a job if they don’t hire you – keep trying, keep getting up, keep doing it.

Never give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than the one with all the facts.

Do we not realize that self respect comes with self reliance?

I think it’s my responsibility, as a person of influence… to sometimes try to do what I can.

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.

Loving others always costs us something and requires effort. And you have to decide to do it on purpose. You can’t wait for a feeling to motivate you.

Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.

Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can’t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.

Opportunity dances with those already on the dance floor.

Any hand that I’ve shaken, any person that I met when I was Joe Blow, now that I’m this guy Kevin Hart, has come back. That’s why I treat everybody with respect. I’m always a nice pleasant guy to meet because when they come back to you, they remember.

Don’t work for recognition, but do work worthy of recognition.

A book should serve as the ax for the frozen sea within us.

Our whole life is set up in the path of least resistance. We don’t want to suffer. We don’t want to feel discomfort. So the whole time, we’re living our lives in a very comfortable area. There’s no growth in that.

We are often raised as dependents then given over to teachers. It’s experience and exploration that can transform us and lead to mastery.

If some years were added to my life, I would give fifty to the study of the Yi, and then I might come to be without great faults.

No one has ever drowned in sweat.

Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas.

The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.

I was always trying – I never wanted to let my fans down; I always wanted them to see me in my art form.

Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish.

I need to keep working on myself for a while.

Let each become all that he was created capable of being.

I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.

Be not a slave of words.

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

I would say things like ‚I am the greatest! I’m pretty! If you talk jive, you’ll drop in five! I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee! I’m pretty!‘ When white people heard me talking like this, some said, ‚That black man talks too much. He’s bragging.‘

That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.

People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine.

Sure I am of this, that you have only to endure to conquer.

Working hard is very important. You’re not going to get anywhere without working extremely hard.

In criticism I will be bold, and as sternly, absolutely just with friend and foe. From this purpose nothing shall turn me.

A smart girl leaves before she is left.

Act well your part, there all the honour lies.