Bruce Lee

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Authentic Self Expression

  “When I look around I always learn something, and that is to be yourself always, express yourself, and have faith in yourself. Do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate him.”

  Our noteBruce Lee discussing the importance of individuality over imitation.

• Individual Over System

  “Man, the living creature, the creating individual, is always more important than any established style or system.”

  Our noteDiscussing the hierarchy of human creativity versus rigid structures.

• Versatile Formlessness

  “Jeet Kune Do favors formlessness so that it can assume all forms and since Jeet Kune Do has no style, it can fit in with all styles.”

  Our noteDescribing the core philosophy of his martial art, Jeet Kune Do.

• Continuous Flow

  “Running water never grows stale. So you just have to 'keep on flowing.”

  Our noteUsing the metaphor of water to describe personal growth.

• Ultimate Self Knowledge

  “All types of knowledge, ultimately mean self knowledge.”

  Our noteReflecting on the true purpose of learning and education.

• Avoiding Reactive Patterns

  “Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.”

  Our noteWarning against creating new rigidities while trying to escape old ones.

• Power of self-help

  “ultimately the greatest help is self-help; that there is no other help but self-help - doing one's best, dedicating one's self wholeheartedly to a given task, which happens to have no end but is an ongoing process.”

  Our noteSharing his discovery that personal dedication is the only true help.

• Distinguishing performance causes

  “As an instructor, you must be able to distinguish between poor performance caused by lack of ability or aptitude on the part of the student and poor performance caused by lack of effort.”

  Our noteGiving advice on how to train and lead students effectively.

• Constant learning

  “Life itself is your teacher, and you are in a state of constant learning.”

  Our noteDiscussing the nature of life and education.

• Spending vs wasting

  “To spend time is to pass it in a specified manner. To waste time is to expend it thoughtlessly or carelessly.”

  Our noteReflecting on the value of time.