Bruce Lee - Philosophy

Philosophy

Lee is best known as a martial artist, but he also studied drama and philosophy while a student at the University of Washington. He was well-read and had an extensive library. His own books on martial arts and fighting philosophy are known for their philosophical assertions, both inside and outside of martial arts circles. His eclectic philosophy often mirrored his fighting beliefs, though he was quick to claim that his martial arts were solely a metaphor for such teachings. He believed that any knowledge ultimately led to self-knowledge, and said that his chosen method of self-expression was martial arts. His influences include Taoism, Jiddu Krishnamurti, and Buddhism. On the other hand, Lee's philosophy was very much in opposition to the conservative world view advocated by Confucianism. John Little states that Lee was an atheist. When asked in 1972 about his religious affiliation, he replied, "none whatsoever". In 1972, he was asked if he believed in God, and responded, "To be perfectly frank, I really do not".

The following quotations reflect his fighting philosophy.

  • "Be formless... shapeless, like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You pour water into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. You put water into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or creep or drip or crash! Be water, my friend..."
  • "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once. But I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."
  • "All types of knowledge, ultimately leads to self knowledge."
  • "Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it".
  • "Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there".
  • "Quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough".
  • "I always learn something, and that is: to always be yourself. And to express yourself, to have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate him".
  • "It's not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential."

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