Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Rigid patterns prevent adaptation to changing situations.
In plain terms
Avoid rigid patterns to stay adaptable.
What can you take from it?
Stay flexible in your approach.

Where it applies

  • problem solving
  • combat
  • business strategy

Putting it to work

  • adapt to context
  • avoid dogma
  • remain fluid

Questions to consider

  • Where is your approach too rigid?

Another view

Some fixed patterns provide necessary foundational structure.

More from Bruce Lee

  1. Again let me remind you Jeet Kune Do is just a name used, a boat to get one across, and once across it is to be discarded and not to be carried on one's back.

    Permalink to quote #83
  2. Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself; do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it.

    Permalink to quote #85
  3. A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.

    Permalink to quote #82

Related quotes

  1. Finally, a Jeet Kune Do man who says Jeet Kune Do is exclusively Jeet Kune Do is simply not with it. He is still hung up on his self-closing resistance, in thi…

    Bruce LeeBruce Lee quote #93
  2. The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expec…

    George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw quote #214
  3. Bigotry tries to keep truth safe in its hand With a grip that kills it.

    Rabindranath TagoreRabindranath Tagore quote #2