Arthur Ashe

You learn about equality in history and civics, but you find out life is not really like that.

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.

When we were together, I loved you deeply and you gave me so much happiness I can never repay you.

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

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

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

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.

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

Do not feel sorry for me if I am gone.

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

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

A wise person decides slowly but abides by these decisions.

I have always drawn strength from being close to home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.