“Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not for or against.”
- November 27, 1940 – July 20, 1973
- Hong Kong-American
- Martial Artist, Actor, Director, Philosopher, Founder of Jeet Kune Do
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Quote
“Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not for or against.”
Explanation
This quote urges detachment from ego-driven judgments and polarizing comparisons. Bruce Lee challenges the common habit of categorizing people and ideas into right vs. wrong or superior vs. inferior. Instead, he promotes a mindset of equanimity, openness, and impartial observation, one that transcends conflict and competition.
This philosophy draws heavily from Eastern thought, particularly Taoism and Zen Buddhism, both of which influenced Lee deeply. In martial arts and in life, he believed that clarity comes not from taking sides, but from freeing oneself of dualistic thinking. By abandoning the need to prove oneself or dominate others, one becomes more fluid, present, and in harmony with reality.
In a modern context, this quote is especially relevant in divisive social and political climates. The urge to constantly choose sides, to label others as wrong or lesser, creates tension and hinders understanding. Lee’s advice is not a call to apathy, but to awareness—to see things as they are, without being trapped by judgment or pride. True strength, he suggests, lies in balance and inner calm, not in being “right” or “better.”
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