QuoteProject
Nothingness cannot be defined; the softest thing cannot be snapped.
Bruce Lee
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the ineffability of emptiness and the resilience of gentle qualities.

Bruce Lee's quote suggests that some concepts, like nothingness, are beyond definition and understanding. Additionally, he highlights that the softest things, symbolizing gentleness or vulnerability, possess an undeniable strength that cannot be easily broken, revealing an important philosophical perspective on life's dualities.

Themes

NothingnessStrengthGentlenessPhilosophyResilience

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about mindfulness, you might use this quote to illustrate the importance of recognizing the limits of our understanding.

More from Bruce Lee

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
There’s only one basic principle of self-defense- you must apply the most effective weapon, as soon as possible, to the most vulnerable target.
Bruce LeeRead
Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.
Bruce LeeRead
Do not allow negative thoughts to enter your mind for they are the weeds that strange confidence.
Bruce LeeRead
More and more I believe in the fact that you have two hands and two legs, and the thing is how to make good use of yourself - and that's about it.
Bruce LeeRead
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.
Bruce LeeRead

Similar quotes

The only thing that sustains one through life is the consciousness of the immense inferiority of everybody else, and this is a feeling that I have always cultivated.
Oscar WildeRead
Perfect wisdom has four parts: Wisdom, the principle of doing things aright. Justice, the principle of doing things equally in public and private. Fortitude, the principle of not fleeing danger, but meeting it. Temperance, the principle of subduing desires and living moderately.
PlatoRead
Man, whatever else he may be, is primarily a practical being, whose mind is given him to aid in adapting him to this world's life
William JamesRead
Majorities, as such, afford no guarantees for justice. They are men of the same nature as minorities. They have the same passions for fame, power, and money, as minorities; and are liable and likely to be equally - perhaps more than equally, because more boldly - rapacious, tyrannical and unprincipled, if intrusted with power.
Lysander SpoonerRead
One thing, and only one thing, is necessary for Christian life, righteousness, and freedom. That one thing is the most holy Word of God, the gospel of Christ.
Martin LutherRead
The mirror is not you. The mirror is you looking at yourself.
George BalanchineRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Bruce Lee | QuoteProject