Due to its popular acceptance into the public discourse of late, Bruce Lee’s quote about being adaptable to any situation, encapsulated in the metaphor of “Be Water, My Friend”, has become very well known. For those looking to brush up on the exact phrasing of the quote, see the video above and refer to the transcript below.
Bruce Lee said:
“This is what it is, okay.
I said empty your mind.
Be formless, shapeless,
Like water.
Now you put water into a cup,
It becomes the cup
You put water into a bottle,
It becomes the bottle.
You put water into a teapot,
It becomes the teapot.
Now water can flow, or it can crash.
Be water, my friend.”
