--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A good martial artist does not become…" description: "\"A good martial artist does not become tend but ready, not thinking but jet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come.\" — Bruce Lee" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/bruce-lee-430_art_a-good-martial-artist-does-not-become-te_1129980.jpg" --- # A good martial artist does not become tend but ready, not… ![“A good martial artist does not become tend but ready, not thinking but jet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come.” quote by Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/bruce-lee-430_art_a-good-martial-artist-does-not-become-te_1129980.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/bruce-lee-430_art_a-good-martial-artist-does-not-become-te_1129980.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1b4/bruce-lee-430_art_a-good-martial-artist-does-not-become-te_1129980.jpg) > “A good martial artist does not become tend but ready, not thinking but jet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come.” [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes readiness and fluidity over rigidity, advocating a mindset that adapts without preconceptions. **In simple terms:** Be adaptable and ready, not rigid. Key Takeaway Stay flexible and prepared for anything. Themes martial arts mindset adaptability Mood motivational pragmatic Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - training drills - stress management - creative problem solving - daily mindfulness Key Concepts fluidity presence non‑attachment Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance readiness with purpose? - When does flexibility become indecision? A Different Perspective Excessive flexibility may lead to lack of direction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Good Martial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-martial-1679369/) [Jet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jet/) [Jet Dreaming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jet-dreaming-3099251/) [Martial Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martial-art/) [Martial artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martial-artist/) [Martial arts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martial-arts/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ready/) [Tend Ready](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tend-ready-3099249/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Jet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-jet-3099250/) [Wrestling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrestling/) ## Related quotes > [A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready. Not thinking, yet not dreaming. Ready for whatever may come. When the opponent expands,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/a-good-martial-artist-does-not-become-tense-but-ready-not-thinking/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [A good martial artist does not become tense, but ready.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/a-good-martial-artist-does-not-become-tense-but-ready/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I like Cung. He's a good guy and a good martial artist. He doesn't sell a fight very well, but he looks great and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-shamrock/i-like-cung-he-s-a-good-guy-and-a-good-martial-artist-he-doesn-t-sell/) [Frank Shamrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-shamrock/) > [There are a lot of people in the world who are very good at martial arts but that doesn't make them good screen fighters.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gareth-evans/there-are-a-lot-of-people-in-the-world-who-are-very-good-at-martial/) [Gareth Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gareth-evans/) > [Take what's useful, discard what is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/take-what-s-useful-discard-what-is-not/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [A quality martial artist is always ready for any move, and trains oneself invincible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/a-quality-martial-artist-is-always-ready-for-any-move-and-trains/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [To be bound by traditional martial art style or styles is the way of the mindless, enslaved martial artist. But to be inspired by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/to-be-bound-by-traditional-martial-art-style-or-styles-is-the-way-of/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I have always been a martial artist by choice, an actor by profession, but above all, am actualising myself to be an artist of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/i-have-always-been-a-martial-artist-by-choice-an-actor-by-profession/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [A martial artist has to take responsibility for himself and accept the consequences of his own doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/a-martial-artist-has-to-take-responsibility-for-himself-and-accept/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I hope martial artists are more interested in the root of martial arts and not the different decorative branches, flowers or leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/i-hope-martial-artists-are-more-interested-in-the-root-of-martial-2/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [If mere mechanical efficiency can make everyone a martial artist, then all is well. Unfortunately, combat, like freedom, is something that can not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/if-mere-mechanical-efficiency-can-make-everyone-a-martial-artist-then/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I hope martial artists are more interested in the root of martial arts and not the different decorative branches, flowers or leaves. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/i-hope-martial-artists-are-more-interested-in-the-root-of-martial/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I'm a lifelong martial artist and to have an arena to test my skills is essential for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-hardy/i-m-a-lifelong-martial-artist-and-to-have-an-arena-to-test-my-skills/) [Dan Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-hardy/) > [I do a one-hour workout called Drenched, a cardio-boxing fitness routine, Monday through Friday. There are usually between twenty-five and fifty people there -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-ann-inaba/i-do-a-one-hour-workout-called-drenched-a-cardio-boxing-fitness/) [Carrie Ann Inaba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-ann-inaba/) > [Every kid wants to reach their goals in life and be the best. During my Bruce Lee phase, I wanted to be the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-hosoi/every-kid-wants-to-reach-their-goals-in-life-and-be-the-best-during/) [Christian Hosoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-hosoi/) ## More by Bruce Lee > [Do not like, do not dislike; all will then be clear. Make a hairbreadth difference and heaven and earth are set apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/do-not-like-do-not-dislike-all-will-then-be-clear-make-a-hairbreadth/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [The great mistake is to anticipate the outcome of the engagement; you ought not to be thinking of whether it ends in victory or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-great-mistake-is-to-anticipate-the-outcome-of-the-engagement-you/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [The more aware you become, the more you shed from day to day what you have learned so that your mind is always fresh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-more-aware-you-become-the-more-you-shed-from-day-to-day-what-you/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [The usefulness of the cup is its emptiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-usefulness-of-the-cup-is-its-emptiness/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [My style? You can call it the art of fighting without fighting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/my-style-you-can-call-it-the-art-of-fighting-without-fighting/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [The founder of any branch must be more ingenious than the common man. However, if his achievement is not carried on by disciples of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-founder-of-any-branch-must-be-more-ingenious-than-the-common-man/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I don't believe in different ways of fighting now. I mean, unless human beings have 3 arms and 3 legs, then we will have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/i-don-t-believe-in-different-ways-of-fighting-now-i-mean-unless-human/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [Be a practical dreamer backed by action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/be-a-practical-dreamer-backed-by-action/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [In order to taste my cup of water you must first empty your cup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/in-order-to-taste-my-cup-of-water-you-must-first-empty-your-cup/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [Truth comes when your mind and heart are purged of all sense of striving and you are no longer trying to become somebody; it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/truth-comes-when-your-mind-and-heart-are-purged-of-all-sense-of/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [A person cannot forget someone who is good to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/a-person-cannot-forget-someone-who-is-good-to-them/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [The highest art is no art. The highest form is no form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/the-highest-art-is-no-art-the-highest-form-is-no-form/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [To live is a constant process of relating, so come on out of that shell of isolation and conclusion, and relate DIRECTLY to what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/to-live-is-a-constant-process-of-relating-so-come-on-out-of-that/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I hope martial artists are more interested in the root of martial arts and not the different decorative branches, flowers or leaves. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/i-hope-martial-artists-are-more-interested-in-the-root-of-martial/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [Art lives where absolute freedom is, because where it is not, there can be no creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/art-lives-where-absolute-freedom-is-because-where-it-is-not-there-can/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) [Explore all 562 Bruce Lee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A good martial artist does not become tend but ready, not thinking but jet not dreaming. 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