What Did Bruce Lee Mean When He Said, “Be Like Water, My Friend.”
“Empty your mind. Be formless, Be shapeless. Like water.” — Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee is the most influential martial artist in modern history. He was also voted as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century by Times Magazine.
He died at the age early age of 32 in 1976 and yet left a legacy behind. Now, nearly 50 years later, the world still reckons the momentum created by him in his brief lifetime.
He was an actor, fighter, teacher, father, and philosopher. Among many of his teachings what stand out is the quote, “be like water, my friend.” From martial artists students to people in all the way of life want to incorporate Bruce lee’s teaching to lead a more productive, balanced, and successful life.
But, what does it really mean when Bruce said to be like water. There are many different interpretations of what it means to be like water and I will try to explain some of the most popular explanations here:
Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
