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About this quote

What does it mean?
Existence takes precedence over intellect; living is a fundamental fact shared by all beings, regardless of their capacity for thought.
In plain terms
Simply being alive is more basic than thinking about it.
What can you take from it?
Value life itself, not just your thoughts about it.

Where it applies

  • existential crisis
  • meditation
  • philosophical debate

Putting it to work

  • focus on living fully
  • value presence over analysis

Questions to consider

  • What defines your existence beyond your thoughts?
  • How do you prioritize living over thinking?

Another view

It downplays the unique value of human reasoning.

More from Bruce Lee

  1. Life itself is your teacher, and you are in a state of constant learning.

    Permalink to quote #32
  2. The timeless moment. - The 'moment' has no yesterday or tomorrow. It is not the result of thought and therefore has no time.

    Permalink to quote #34
  3. Life is never stagnation. It is constant movement, unrhythmic movement, as we as constant change. Things live by moving and gain strength as they go.

    Permalink to quote #31

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  1. Cogito, ergo sum.

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  2. Je pense, donc je suis.

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  3. Life in the true sense is perceiving or thinking.

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