Bruce Lee

Martial Artist, Actor, Director

Bruce Lee was a martial artist and philosopher known for his revolutionary impact on martial arts and his advocacy for personal expression.

Born
November 27, 1940
Died
July 20, 1973
Quotes
496
Rank
#31

About Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee — Life and Legacy

Bruce Lee was a martial artist, actor, and philosopher whose influence transcended the boundaries of traditional martial arts. He is best known for his innovative approach to martial arts, which emphasized fluidity and adaptability, as encapsulated in his famous quote, 'Be water, my friend.' This phrase reflects his belief in the importance of flexibility in both martial arts and life, encouraging individuals to adapt to their circumstances rather than rigidly adhere to predefined paths. Lee's philosophy extended beyond physical combat; he challenged conventional wisdom and sought to fuse Eastern and Western philosophies. His quote, 'Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do,' underscores his belief in the necessity of action and application of knowledge. This perspective highlights the tension between mere understanding and practical implementation, a core element of his teachings. Today, Bruce Lee's quotes and philosophies continue to resonate, inspiring countless individuals to embrace resilience, self-discovery, and authenticity. His legacy is not just in martial arts but in the broader cultural landscape, where his ideas about personal expression and overcoming challenges remain profoundly relevant.

Quote collection

Bruce Lee quotes (page 1 of 25)

496 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"Remember, success is a journey not a destination. Have faith in your ability. You will do just fine."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one"

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"I'm not in this world to live up to your expectations and you're not in this world to live up to mine."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"The past is no more; the future not yet. Nothing exists except the here and now. Our grand business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at our hands."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"If you love life, don't waste time, for time is what life is made up of."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"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."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"The biggest adversary in our life is ourselves. We are what we are, in a sense, because of the dominating thoughts we allow to gather in our head. All concepts of self-improvement, all actions and paths we take, relate solely to our abstract image of ourselves. Life is limited only by how we really see ourselves and feel about our being. A great deal of pure self-knowledge and inner understanding allows us to lay an all-important foundation for the structure of our life from which we can perceive and take the right avenues."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"Sorrows are our best educator. A man can see further through a tear than a telescope."

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Bruce Lee Martial Artist, Actor, Director
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"To become a champion requires a good mental attitude toward preparation. You have to accept the most tedious task with pleasure."

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