Why do we say that these Bruce Lee quotes are unexpected?
The main reason is that for those who know little or nothing about Bruce Lee the person, the perception of him is that of a simple martial arts icon. But the characters who he portrayed in his various movie roles did not give any indication that Bruce Lee was actually something of a philosopher – and a poet!
Although it is true that aspects of his involvement with the martial arts are reflected in some of his quotes, he uses the analogies to relate to real life situations.
Bruce Lee was one of the most influential martial artists of all time and became a a pop culture icon; he changed the way Asians were presented in American films. He was born in Chinatown, San Francisco, on 27 November 1940 to parents from Hongkong. Later, the family returned to Kowloon, where Lee remained until his late teens. He appeared in several films as a child actor due to the influence and connections of his father.
When Bruce Lee was eighteen he returned to America for further studies. He began to teach martial arts and was able to use that skill when he started making action movies.
He changed the traditional Hongkong form of martial arts film and raised the interest in them to a new level. The direction and tone of his films influenced martial arts films in Hongkong and the rest of the world.
In May 1973, when his career was at the peak of its success, he was suddenly taken ill on a movie set and rushed to hospital. He was treated for cerebral edema and appeared to recover. However, 2 months later he suffered a similar episode at home and died before reaching the hospital.
The circumstances surrounding the death of Bruce Lee spawned numerous wild conspiracy theories on the internet, including a claim that he had been murdered. Life Daily reviewed all the conflicting claims back in July and you can view the article by clicking here.
It is prophetic that the first of our Bruce Lee quotes could very well apply to Lee himself.
But you need to browse through the whole list to understand that Bruce Lee was much more than a martial arts actor:
1. The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.
2. Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.
3. Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.
4. 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.
5. If you love life, don’t waste time, for time is what life is made up of.
6. A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.
7. I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.
8. A goal is not always meant to be reached, it often serves simply as something to aim at.
9. Knowledge will give you power, but character respect.
10. Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.
11. If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.
12. A quick temper will make a fool of you soon enough.
13. Showing off is the fool’s idea of glory.
14. To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.
15. Take things as they are. Punch when you have to punch. Kick when you have to kick.
And, there is just a final bonus quote, which also turned out to be prophetic.
Lee said: ” You just wait. I’m going to be the biggest Chinese Star in the world.”
Did these Bruce Lee quotes show him in a different light from your previous perception?
Was he the biggest Chinese movie star? What do you think? You can share your opinion by simply using the comment feed below.
