"Take no thought of who is right or wrong or who is better than. Be not for or against"

Bruce Lee’s statement encourages a mindset that transcends ego-driven comparison and divisive thinking. When he urges to take no thought of who is right or wrong, or who is better, he challenges a deeply ingrained human tendency to judge and categorize ourselves and others. People often fall into patterns of competition, comparison, and judgment, seeking validation through proving themselves right or superior. Such patterns lead to conflict, arrogance, resentment, or feelings of inadequacy. By letting go of the need to constantly evaluate who is right or better, one is able to exist in a more peaceful and open state, allowing for deeper understanding and connection.

"Be not for or against" points to a more profound sense of impartiality and openness. Rather than identifying strongly with one position and against another, Lee advocates for embracing a state beyond duality. Taking sides often creates divisions and prevents people from seeing the complexities of a situation or individual. This polarity can blind individuals to new perspectives and fosters attachment to limited viewpoints. By withholding judgment and the compulsion to take sides, people become more receptive, flexible, and wise.

This way of being doesn’t signify indifference or lack of discernment; rather, it is a call to move beyond ego and dogma. It suggests living and acting without being bound to the endless struggle of comparison and opposition. Responses become more measured and compassionate, not reactive or defensive. This approach is foundational in martial arts as well as in life, enabling true self-mastery. Wisdom emerges from observation, humility, and the willingness to encounter the world freshly in each moment. In transcending rigid concepts of right and wrong or better and worse, one can act with authenticity and clarity, guided by understanding, instead of the need to confirm pre-existing beliefs or statuses.