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
The world is full of people who are determined to be somebody or to give trouble. They want to get ahead, to stand out. Such ambition has no use for a gung fu man, who rejects all forms of self-assertiveness and competition
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the futility of competition and self-assertiveness for a true martial artist.
In this quote, Bruce Lee expresses the idea that many individuals are driven by the desire to distinguish themselves and succeed at all costs, often through conflict or competition. However, a true practitioner of gung fu recognizes that such ambition is counterproductive to the principles of martial arts, which prioritize self-discipline, humility, and inner peace over external validation and rivalry.
Themes
CompetitionHumilitySelf-AssertivenessGung FuAmbition
In practice
Example use cases
During a seminar on personal development, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of inner peace over external success.
More from Bruce Lee
All quotes →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.
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Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.
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Do not allow negative thoughts to enter your mind for they are the weeds that strange confidence.
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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.
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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.
Bruce LeeRead
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