An intelligent mind is an inquiring mind. It is not satisfied with explanation, with conclusions. Nor is it a mind that believes, because belief is again another form of conclusion.
Bruce LeeRead
Effort within the mind further limits the mind, because effort implies struggle towards a goal and when you have a goal, a purpose, an end in view, you have placed a limit on the mind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Effort and striving can restrict our thinking when we focus too much on specific goals.
Bruce Lee's quote suggests that the mental effort we invest in striving towards certain goals can inadvertently constrain our creativity and freedom of thought. By fixating on specific ends, we may limit our cognitive capacities and overlook new possibilities or alternate paths that could lead to greater achievements or insights. Lee advocates for a more fluid and open-minded approach to thinking, encouraging a mindset that transcends rigid goals.
Themes
EffortMindLimitsGoalCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles.
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Because one does not want to be disturbed, to be made uncertain, he establishes a pattern of conduct, of thought, a pattern of relationships to man. He then becomes a slave to the pattern and takes the pattern to be the real thing.
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