One should be in harmony with, not in opposition to, the strength and force of the opposition. This means that one should do nothing that is not natural or spontaneous; the important thing is not to strain in any way.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Use the opponent's energy rather than opposing it directly.
- In plain terms
- Move naturally and avoid strain.
- What can you take from it?
- Flow with forces instead of fighting them.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When do you struggle against the flow?
- How can you be more spontaneous?
Another view
Sometimes direct action is required instead of flowing.
More from Bruce Lee
A self-willed man obeys a different law, the one law I, too, hold absolutely sacred - the human law in himself, his own individual will.
Permalink to quote #54 The dualistic philosophy reigned supreme in Europe, dominating the development of Western science. But with the advent of atomic physics, findings based on dem…
Permalink to quote #56 Reality is being itself. - It is being itself, in becoming itself. Reality in its isness, the 'isness' of a thing. Thus isness is the meaning - having freedom …
Permalink to quote #53
Related quotes
There is only one type of body, 2 arms, 2 legs, etc that make up the human body. Therefore, there can only be one style of fighting. If the other guy had 4 arm…
Bruce LeeBruce Lee quote #162 If an organised body is not in the situation and circumstances best adapted to its sustenance and propagation, then, in conceiving an indefinite variety among …
James HuttonJames Hutton quote #1 Beauty from order springs.
William KingWilliam King quote #1