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Did Muhammad Ali say the following quote? Or was it created by Adidas?

Impossible is just a big 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.

Impossible is nothing.

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    This video claims to be an interview in which he said it. If you would like to watch it, please let me know if it is in there.
    – DJClayworth
    Commented Aug 27, 2012 at 18:52
  • It's "Adidas" by the way. One D. :)
    – Alenanno
    Commented Aug 28, 2012 at 9:21
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    I have tried hard to find when he actually said that. No luck. I checked the video, and he didn't say it. I have seen LOTS of videos which have those lines in the description. No where have I found him saying it.
    – Wertilq
    Commented May 10, 2013 at 12:30
  • quoteinvestigator.com/2017/11/28/impossible-is
    – Golden Cuy
    Commented Nov 29, 2017 at 19:32

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No it was most probably not made by Muhammad Ali

Searching the web, and I haven't been able to find anywhere he actually said it. Only things I find is the adidas ad. Looking at the words "Impossible is nothing" through books it only appeared after 2004. Google Ngrams search for Impossible is nothing

Looking at wikiquotes and the impossible quote is not listed there. When looking at the web, it's probably the most famous quote "by him", so it's very surprising it's not listed by wikiquotes, if he actually said it.

"Impossible is Nothing" was the previous mainstream marketing slogan for Adidas. This campaign was developed by 180/TBWA based in Amsterdam but also with significant work being done by TBWA/Chiat/Day in San Francisco – particularly for its basketball campaign "Believe in Five".TBWA\Chiat\Day commissioned Zane Peach[41] to produce images for 2007 international ad campaign.

Wikipedia link about adidas marketing

QuoteVadis: Impossible is nothing gives the credit for the quote to "— Anonymous for Adidas advertisement campaign."

The quote is probably made by Adidas and not Muhammad Ali, but I don't have conclusive proof.

The quote might have been made by John C. Maxwell in his book THE DIFFERENCE MAKER; page 53(Credits to Urthone), I haven't found the full quote in use before that time.

“Impossible is just a big 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. Impossible is nothing.” Page: 53

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  • The last citation from John C Maxwell is actually referencing the addias slogan in the book.
    – darethas
    Commented Feb 10, 2016 at 15:10

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