---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The source of all the material comes from…"
description: "\"The source of all the material comes from nothingness, illusion is working more on things you can prove. That's the principle, the essence of life, it ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/ang-lee-2496_actually_the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-fro_805159.jpg"
---

#  The source of all the material comes from nothingness…

![“The source of all the material comes from nothingness, illusion is working more on things you can prove. That's the principle, the essence of life, it is actually an illusion, not immaterial. That's worth pursuing. So illusion is not nothing. In a way, that is the truth.” quote by Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/ang-lee-2496_actually_the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-fro_805159.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/ang-lee-2496_actually_the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-fro_805159.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/ang-lee-2496_actually_the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-fro_805159.jpg)

> “The source of all the material comes from nothingness, illusion is working more on things you can prove. That's the principle, the essence of life, it is actually an illusion, not immaterial. That's worth pursuing. So illusion is not nothing. In a way, that is the truth.”

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Life’s essence may be seen as illusion; embracing this can reveal deeper truths beyond materialism.

**In simple terms:** Life can feel like an illusion.

Key Takeaway

Question perceived reality.

Themes

philosophy illusion truth

Mood

contemplative curious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- meditation
- artistic creation
- scientific inquiry

Key Concepts

existentialism perception spirituality

Questions to Reflect On

- What does “illusion” mean to you?
- How can this insight guide actions?

A Different Perspective

Illusionary view may conflict with practical needs.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Essence of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence-of-life/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) [Nothingness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothingness/) [Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Worth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth/)

## Related quotes

> [Your dreams become illusion when you are working in the opposite with your shadow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/your-dreams-become-illusion-when-you-are-working-in-the-opposite-with/)

[Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/)

> [I try to be a partygoer. But at some point I don't know why I'm doing it and fall back. I've been using repression,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/i-try-to-be-a-partygoer-but-at-some-point-i-don-t-know-why-i-m-doing/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [Soon silence will have passed into legend. Man has turned his back on silence. Day after day he invents machines and devices that increase…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-arp/soon-silence-will-have-passed-into-legend-man-has-turned-his-back-on/)

Jean Arp

> [Submission does not mean being weak or passive. It leads to neither fatalism nor capitulation. Just the opposite. True power resides in submission. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elif-safak/submission-does-not-mean-being-weak-or-passive-it-leads-to-neither/)

[Elif Safak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elif-safak/)

> [“The essence of life is to appreciate and value all occurrence be it good or bad, it’s a lifetime episodes, the multitude of colors…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nisyah/the-essence-of-life-is-to-appreciate-and-value-all-occurrence-be-it/)

Nisyah

> [Goal setting is the essence of life. Tenaciously pursue your goals not for external praise but for inner reward. It makes you a better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/goal-setting-is-the-essence-of-life-tenaciously-pursue-your-goals-not/)

[Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/)

> [Clean water, the essence of life and a birthright for everyone, must become available to all people now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-michel-cousteau/clean-water-the-essence-of-life-and-a-birthright-for-everyone-must/)

[Jean-Michel Cousteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-michel-cousteau/)

> [“True glory and the essence of life lies in the pro-creation and re-actment of heroic meaning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vd/true-glory-and-the-essence-of-life-lies-in-the-pro-creation-and-re/)

VD

> [The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-adventure-of-life-is-to-learn-the-purpose-of-life-is-to-grow-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“The essence of life is mastering the art of giving love freely and welcoming it with open arms.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-hultman/the-essence-of-life-is-mastering-the-art-of-giving-love-freely-and/)

Brandon Hultman

> [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/)

[Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [Timing is the essence of life, and definitely of comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hope/timing-is-the-essence-of-life-and-definitely-of-comedy/)

[Bob Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hope/)

> [History and Biology, not created the premise that friendships are necessary for a satisfying and healthy life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumar-anupam/history-and-biology-not-created-the-premise-that-friendships-are/)

[Kumar Anupam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumar-anupam/)

> [It seems not to have been written. It is the quintessence of life. It is the basic truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooks-atkinson/it-seems-not-to-have-been-written-it-is-the-quintessence-of-life-it/)

[Brooks Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooks-atkinson/)

> [Spiritually, life is a festival, a celebration. Joy is of the essence of life;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnivesh/spiritually-life-is-a-festival-a-celebration-joy-is-of-the-essence-of/)

[Agnivesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnivesh/)

## More by Ang Lee

> [When I'm not working, I get very down, but when I am working, I get very immersed in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/when-i-m-not-working-i-get-very-down-but-when-i-am-working-i-get-very/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [I am not particularly religious. But I think we do face the question of where God is, why we are created and where does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/i-am-not-particularly-religious-but-i-think-we-do-face-the-question/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [I'm not a romantic. In life I didn't have much experience with romance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/i-m-not-a-romantic-in-life-i-didn-t-have-much-experience-with-romance/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [When I see something I like, that's all that counts. What they use, how they get there, I never bother them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/when-i-see-something-i-like-that-s-all-that-counts-what-they-use-how/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [Mostly it's like, I get inspired by something and I want to learn that part of filmmaking, I want to delve into that kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/mostly-it-s-like-i-get-inspired-by-something-and-i-want-to-learn-that/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [Film study was considered disgraceful by my father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/film-study-was-considered-disgraceful-by-my-father/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [I hope people don't compare 2D and 3D because 3D's new, it's unfair to compare to 2D which is really sophisticated, even when we're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/i-hope-people-don-t-compare-2d-and-3d-because-3d-s-new-it-s-unfair-to/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [On a Chinese film you just give orders, no one questions you. Here, you have to convince people, you have to tell them why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/on-a-chinese-film-you-just-give-orders-no-one-questions-you-here-you/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [I had to test a new terror in myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/i-had-to-test-a-new-terror-in-myself/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [My cultural roots are something illusive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/my-cultural-roots-are-something-illusive/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [Kids don't even read comic books anymore. They've got more important things to do - like video games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/kids-don-t-even-read-comic-books-anymore-they-ve-got-more-important/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [I don't care about writing really.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/i-don-t-care-about-writing-really/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [I don't have incredible knowledge about films or of filmmaking history; I'm not that kind of person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/i-don-t-have-incredible-knowledge-about-films-or-of-filmmaking/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [I don't think the Hulk is a superhero. He's the first Marvel character who is a tragic monster. Really an anti-hero.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/i-don-t-think-the-hulk-is-a-superhero-he-s-the-first-marvel-character/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

> [A lot of people will think I changed the book: ‘so you’re the tiger instead, you’re the tiger who ate the cook.’ That’d be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/a-lot-of-people-will-think-i-changed-the-book-so-you-re-the-tiger/)

[Ang Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

[Explore all 163 Ang Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/)

## More Actually quotes

> [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/)

[Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/)

> [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/)

[Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/)

> [I actually like getting out of my comfort zone. It shakes me up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/i-actually-like-getting-out-of-my-comfort-zone-it-shakes-me-up/)

[Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/)

> [You have to talk about why things happened the way they did. You can't actually explain my political life except by a series of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lange/you-have-to-talk-about-why-things-happened-the-way-they-did-you-can-t/)

[David Lange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lange/)

> [Failure actually makes you strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neha-sharma/failure-actually-makes-you-strong/)

[Neha Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neha-sharma/)

> [There's always that discussion about fiction about how do you market it - these are books for boys, these are books for girls, these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-a-weatherly/there-s-always-that-discussion-about-fiction-about-how-do-you-market/)

[L.A. Weatherly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-a-weatherly/)

> [I'm from Europe, England, and I actually lived in Italy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/i-m-from-europe-england-and-i-actually-lived-in-italy/)

[Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje/)

> [The alternative comedy scene is actually pretty small, I guess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-wilson/the-alternative-comedy-scene-is-actually-pretty-small-i-guess/)

[Casey Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/casey-wilson/)

> [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/)

[Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/)

> [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/)

[Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/)

> [Somebody said that part of my reaction to British cinema is actually, paradoxically, a patriotic one. I'm so disappointed that we're not better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-brownlow/somebody-said-that-part-of-my-reaction-to-british-cinema-is-actually/)

[Kevin Brownlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-brownlow/)

> [I actually do sing sometimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morten-harket/i-actually-do-sing-sometimes/)

[Morten Harket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morten-harket/)

> [I've actually got quite a good memory. I've good recall. It's often things which other people might not notice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-frame/i-ve-actually-got-quite-a-good-memory-i-ve-good-recall-it-s-often/)

[Ronald Frame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-frame/)

> [Because there is actually something very interesting in Goodfellas, how the style of the film changes as time goes by and based on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cox/because-there-is-actually-something-very-interesting-in-goodfellas/)

[Alex Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cox/)

> ['Inequality' has become the political theme/slogan of our time in both Europe and the U.S., yet political leaders do not even bother to consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-singer/inequality-has-become-the-political-theme-slogan-of-our-time-in-both/)

[Paul Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-singer/)

Browse all 4,248 Actually quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The source of all the material comes from nothingness, illusion is working more on things you can prove. That's the principle, the essence of life, it is actually an illusion, not immaterial. That's worth pursuing. So illusion is not nothing. In a way, that is the truth.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ang Lee"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-from-nothingness-illusion-is/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Actually"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-from-nothingness-illusion-is/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/ang-lee-2496_actually_the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-fro_805159.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/ang-lee-2496_actually_the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-fro_805159.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/00c/ang-lee-2496_actually_the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-fro_805159.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The source of all the material comes from nothingness, illusion is working more on things you can prove…” — Ang Lee",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ang Lee",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ang-lee/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The source of all the material...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-from-nothingness-illusion-is/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ang-lee/the-source-of-all-the-material-comes-from-nothingness-illusion-is/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
