Arthur Ashe quotes on sports, life, death, AIDS, Tennis, losing, success, motivation, journey, identity, love, education, friendship, hope, dignity, strength etc.

38 Top Quotes By Arthur Ashe On Life, Sports & More

Quick Facts

Famous As: Tennis Player

Born On: July 10, 1943

Died On: February 6, 1993

Born In: Richmond

Died At Age: 49

Arthur Robert Ashe Jr. was a former no. 1 American professional tennis player who went on to win three Grand Slams during the course of his career. He is the only black man to win every Grand Slam Title except the French Open. Furthermore, he was the first black player to be selected in the United States Davis Cup squad. Besides his tennis career, Arthur Ashe also went on to publish a three volume book titled A Hard Road to Glory: A History of the African-American Athlete. Ashe was also an active civil rights activist in the Anti-Apartheid movement for which he was arrested on multiple occasions. In 1985, he was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. During the twilight of his life, he was plagued with several heath issues which eventually led to his untimely death due to HIV transfusion. Before his death, he founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the cure and fight against AIDS for the welfare of people suffering from this horrific infection. His thoughts and sayings focused on equality, perseverance, hard work, bravery, valor and motivation. Browse through these quotes from this legendary tennis player in the history of American sports.

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Sportspersons

From what we get, we can make a living. What we give; however, makes a life.
Life
Arthur Ashe

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
Arthur Ashe

Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.
Arthur Ashe

I keep sailing on in this middle passage. I am sailing into the wind and the dark. But I am doing my best to keep my boat steady and my sails full.
I
Arthur Ashe

Clothes and manners do not make the man; but when he is made, they greatly improve his appearance.
Arthur Ashe

My potential is more than can be expressed within the bounds of my race or ethnic identity.
Arthur Ashe

We must believe in the power of education. We must respect just laws. We must love ourselves, our old and or young, our women as well as our men.
Love
Arthur Ashe

Trust has to be earned, and should come only after the passage of time.
Time
Arthur Ashe

We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.
Arthur Ashe

You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.
Life
Arthur Ashe

When we were together, I loved you deeply and you gave me so much happiness I can never repay you.
You Me Together Never I
Arthur Ashe

You’ve got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing.
Life
Arthur Ashe

I have tried to keep on with my striving because this is the only hope I have of ever achieving anything worthwhile and lasting.
I
Arthur Ashe

I accepted the face that as much as I want to lead others, and love to be around other people, in some essential way, I am something of a loner.
Love I
Arthur Ashe

If I were to say, "God, why me?" about the bad things, then I should have said, "God, why me?" about the good things that happened in my life.
Life God I
Arthur Ashe

I don't care who you are, you're going to choke in certain matches. You get to a point where your legs don't move and you can't take a deep breath. You start to hit the ball about a yard wide, instead of inches.
You I
Arthur Ashe

When bright young minds can't afford college, America pays the price.
Arthur Ashe

There is a syndrome in sports called 'paralysis by analysis.'
Arthur Ashe

Do not feel sorry for me if I am gone.
Me I
Arthur Ashe

A wise person decides slowly but abides by these decisions.
Arthur Ashe

I don't want to be remembered for my tennis accomplishments.
I
Arthur Ashe

I guess I started too early because I just thought it was something fun to do.
I
Arthur Ashe

Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you’re behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.
You Like
Arthur Ashe

Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is usually more important than the outcome. Not everyone can be Number 1.
Arthur Ashe

If you're paid before you walk on the court, what's the point in playing as if your life depended on it?
You Life
Arthur Ashe

The best way to judge a life is to ask yourself, "Did I make the best use of the time I had?
Life Time Yourself I
Arthur Ashe

Let me put it this way: I think Republicans tend to keep the ball in play, Democrats go for broke.
Me Think I
Arthur Ashe

I have always drawn strength from being close to home.
I
Arthur Ashe

I may not be walking with you all the way, or even much of the way, as I walk with you now.
You I
Arthur Ashe

One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.
Arthur Ashe

Later, I discovered there was a lot of work to being good in tennis.
I
Arthur Ashe

You really are never playing an opponent. You are playing yourself.
You Never Yourself
Arthur Ashe

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
You
Arthur Ashe

Wherever I am when you feel sick at heart and weary of life, or when you stumble and fall and don’t know if you can get up again, think of me. I will be watching and smiling and cheering on.
You Life Me Think Will Heart I
Arthur Ashe