What would it be like to get inside the mind of Bruce Lee? For a man who has set the standard for today’s Kung-Fu films, left an inspiring legacy of intrigue and even invented his own martial art, it seems appropriate to take a look at the wisdom behind all he has achieved.
In celebration of Lee’s final film, Enter the Dragon, this year celebrating its 40th anniversary, we have pulled together the top 10 Bruce Lee Quotes to try and get an insight into the thoughts and beliefs that made Bruce Lee…Bruce Lee!
1. He was open to new learnings
“A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer”
Despite being considered ‘the master’, he did not see the word ‘master’ as being someone who knows everything about a subject, however a person with a drive and hunger to learn more. Not a skilled person who takes a ‘know it all’ attitude to a situation, however a belief that there is no limits to knowledge and there is always more to learn.
2. He controlled his thoughts
“As you think, so shall you become”
Known to spend a great deal of time meditating and constantly studying various philosophies and stories, Bruce Lee believed that what we think, will undoubtedly influence what happens to us in life and therefore what we become.
3. He made no excuses
“To hell with circumstances, I create opportunities”
Regardless of what was happening in the world around him, Bruce Lee was focused on his goals. He once said he would become “the greatest Chinese star in the world” and despite the odds – made it happen. At no point did he make excuses or get out clauses.
4. He looked within the details to find the important
“Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own”
Taking only the things that served him well from all situations and teachings, gave Bruce Lee a highly unique outlook on the world. Much of this mind-set can be found in his Jeet Kune Do art, which borrows techniques from other martial arts, yet adds some of Bruce Lee’s own concepts into it.
5. He was humble
“Showing off is the fools idea of glory”
Despite being a major film action star and labelled as being one of the greatest martial art experts alive, he did little to brag about it.
6. He had no limits on what was possible
“The doubters said ‘man can not fly’, the doers said ‘maybe we’ll try’, and finally soured in the morning glow while non-believers watched from below
In order to break the limitations, Lee had to first make his own decisions about what was possible.
7. He was forgiving
“Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them”
Unlike the many vengeance driven martial art characters Lee often played, in real-life he preached forgiveness and an openness about one’s errors.
8. He had good time-management
“To spend time is to pass it in a specified manner. To waste time is to spend it thoughtlessly or carelessly. We all have time to either spend or waste and it is our decision to what to do with it. But once passed it is gone forever”.
Knowing what he wanted out of life, allowed Bruce Lee to dedicate his time wisely to his goals.
9. He wasn’t perfect, nor did he aspire to be
“Many people dedicate their lives to actualizing a concept of what they should be like, rather than actualizing themselves. The difference between self-actualization and self-image actualization is very important. Most people only live for their self-image”.
Unlike many of the stars of today, Lee very openly chose not to hide behind a ‘false self-image’ when confronted. Instead he preached a sense of being one’s true, natural self.
10. He was selfless
“Real living is living for others”.
Dedicated to seeing the value in others and encouraging their own success, Bruce Lee trained many students and encouraged their own personal development. Bruce Lee’s only Keet June Do student, Daniel Insonato, has since continued to spread the word about his martial art and philosophy in life.
The Enter the Dragon 40th Anniversary Special Edition Blu-Ray™ with UltraViolet™ and featuring exclusive Art Cards and Extra Content is available from 22nd July 2013.
