Editing Bruce Lee (section)

== Artistry ==
=== Philosophy ===
While best known as a martial artist, Lee studied drama and Asian and Western philosophy, starting while a student at the University of Washington. He was well-read and had an extensive library dominated by martial arts subjects and philosophical texts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://houseofbrucelee.blogspot.tw/2012/08/books.html |title=Inside Bruce Lee's Personal Library |website=houseofbrucelee.blogspot.tw|access-date=October 5, 2016|archive-date=October 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006050350/http://houseofbrucelee.blogspot.tw/2012/08/books.html|url-status=live}}</ref> His books on martial arts and fighting philosophy are known for their philosophical assertions, both inside and outside of martial arts circles. His [[Eclecticism|eclectic]] philosophy often mirrored his fighting beliefs, though he was quick to say that his martial arts were solely a metaphor for such teachings.<ref name="warriorwithin122" />

He believed that any knowledge ultimately led to self-knowledge. He said that his chosen method of self-expression was martial arts.<ref name="warriorwithin122" /> His influences include [[Taoism]] and [[Buddhism]].<ref>[[Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey]] at 31m45s</ref> Lee's philosophy was very much in opposition to the conservative worldview advocated by [[Confucianism]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bolelli|2008|p=[https://archive.org/details/onwarriorspathfi0000bole/page/160/mode/2up 161]}}</ref> John Little states that Lee was an [[Atheism|atheist]]. When asked in 1972 about his religious affiliation, he replied, "None whatsoever".<ref name="warriorwithin128">{{harvnb|Little|1996|p=128}}</ref> When asked if he believed in God, he said, "To be perfectly frank, I really do not."<ref name="warriorwithin122">{{harvnb|Little|1996|p=122}}</ref>

In his notebooks, Lee cited and commented on passages from [[Plato]], [[David Hume]], [[René Descartes]], and [[Thomas Aquinas]], from Western philosophy, and [[Lao-tzu]], [[Zhuangzi (book)|Chuang-tzu]], [[Miyamoto Musashi]], and [[Alan Watts]] from Eastern thought. He was particularly interested in the Indian mystic [[Jiddu Krishnamurti]].{{sfn|Polly|2018|p=202}}

=== Poetry ===
Aside from martial arts and philosophy, which focus on the physical aspect and self-consciousness for truths and principles,<ref>{{cite book |last=Lee |first=Bruce |title=The Warrior Within |year=1996 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |location=Martial arts-Philosophy |isbn=0-8092-3194-8 |editor=John Little |url=https://archive.org/details/warriorwithinphi00litt}}</ref> Lee also wrote poetry that reflected his emotions and a stage in his life collectively.<ref>{{cite book |last=Lee |first=Bruce |title=Bruce Lee Artist of Life |year=1999 |publisher=Tuttle |isbn=978-0-8048-3263-2 |pages=93–116 |author2=Linda Lee Cadwell |editor=John Little |type=Book}}</ref> Many forms of art remain concordant with the artist creating them. Lee's principle of self-expression was applied to his poetry as well. His daughter Shannon Lee said, "He did write poetry; he was really the consummate artist."<ref>{{cite web |last=Lee |first=Shannon |title=Bruce Lee's Poetry: Shannon Lee reads one of her father's handwritten poems |url=http://www.brucelee.com/index.cfm/page/Bruce-Lee-s-Poetry---Shannon-Lee-reads-one-of-her-father-s-handwritten-poems/pid/10277/cdid/10363 |work=Poetry |access-date=April 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106192413/https://www.brucelee.com/index.cfm/page/Bruce-Lee-s-Poetry---Shannon-Lee-reads-one-of-her-father-s-handwritten-poems/pid/10277/cdid/10363 |archive-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref>

His poetic works were originally handwritten on paper, then later on edited and published, with John Little being the major author (editor), for Bruce Lee's works. Linda Lee Cadwell (Bruce Lee's wife) shared her husband's notes, poems, and experiences with followers. She mentioned, "Lee's poems are, by American standards, rather dark—reflecting the deeper, less exposed recesses of the human psyche".<ref>{{cite book |last=Lee |first=Bruce |title=Bruce Lee Artist of Life |year=1999 |publisher=Tuttle |location=Martial Arts |isbn=978-0-8048-3263-2 |page=92 |author2=Linda Lee Cadwell |editor=John Little |type=Book |chapter=Part 4 Poetry}}</ref>

Most of Bruce Lee's poems are categorized as [[anti-poetry]] or fall into a [[paradox]]. The mood in his poems shows the side of the man that can be compared with other poets such as [[Robert Frost]], one of many well-known poets expressing himself with dark poetic works. The paradox taken from the [[Yin and Yang]] symbol in martial arts was also integrated into his poetry. His martial arts and philosophy contribute a great part to his poetry. The [[free verse]] form of Lee's poetry reflects his quote "Be formless&nbsp;... shapeless, like water."<ref>{{cite book |title=The Warrior Within |year=1996 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |location=Martial arts-Philosophy |isbn=0-8092-3194-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/warriorwithinphi00litt/page/43 43] |author=John Little |editor=John Little |type=Book |chapter=Five: The Running Water|chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/warriorwithinphi00litt/page/43}}</ref>