At the core of Lee’s philosophy is the belief that true mastery comes not just from developing physical prowess, but from cultivating one’s character and aligning with timeless principles. As he writes, “I, Bruce Lee, am a philosopher. And because my intense personal inquiry into myself, I have come to the realization that personal philosophy is the goal of existence.” Lee believed that self-actualization, rather than self-image actualization, should be our highest aim. By encouraging our children to develop their own personal philosophies – their guiding beliefs, values, and vision for themselves – we empower them to live and learn with greater intention, integrity and self-awareness.

At QMAK, our emphasis on “Question More, Action Knowledge” aligns beautifully with Lee’s view of philosophy. We want our kids to be active thinkers, seekers of truth and meaning, with the courage to deeply examine themselves and the world. We can nurture this by welcoming big questions, discussing inspiring ideas, and modeling the philosophical mindset in our own lives and learning. As Lee put it, “Philosophy has been defined throughout the years as the Love of Wisdom. Its purpose is to investigate things through a process of logical thinking and reasoning. Philosophy has no interest in how, rather it is concerned with what and why.”

One of Lee’s most powerful principles is the importance of practical application. As he puts it, “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” He emphasizes that true understanding and growth happen through direct experience more than just intellectual theorizing. “Learning is never cumulative, it is a movement of knowing which has no beginning and no end,” Lee explained. We can bring this to life in our homeschooling by providing our children abundant opportunities to put ideas into practice, test out strategies, and learn through trial, error, and reflection. From applying math to real-world building projects to embodying the qualities of an inspiring historical figure, we make knowledge come alive through action. We show our kids that insights without application are empty, and empower them to be doers, not just dreamers.

Another key theme in Lee’s writings is the power of will and self-discipline in shaping our lives and realizing our potential. He elevates will-power as the “supreme court” of the mind, the force that can marshal our thoughts, habits and actions in service of our highest aims. “The power of will is the supreme court over all other departments of my mind,” Lee wrote. “I will exercise it daily when I need the urge to action for any purpose, and I will form habits designed to bring the power of my will into action at least once daily.”

We can help our children develop this life-shaping will-power by challenging them to commit to meaningful goals, persevere through struggles, and expand their self-discipline through daily practices. As Lee suggests, even small but consistent acts of will, like improving posture or tracking daily habits, build our self-control muscles. With our encouragement, our kids can feel empowered to take command of their minds and lives.

Lee also emphasized that a sense of purpose and service to others is essential for a life well-lived. He believed that realizing our unique potential is inextricably tied to contributing to the world, declaring that “real living is living for others.” We can awaken this sense of purpose in our children by encouraging them to explore and connect with their passions, imagine how they want to make a difference, and start taking steps to be of service now. By discussing the “big questions” together – Why are we here? What kind of person do I want to be? How will I help others? – we empower them to seek meaning, envision their best selves, and live with intention. Knowing that their development is ultimately in service of helping others infuses their efforts with deeper motivation and direction.

By incorporating the philosophical wisdom of Bruce Lee into our homeschooling, and nurturing our children’s capacities for critical thought, applied action, self-discipline, and purposeful living, we equip them with an empowering foundation for lifelong growth and success. As Lee reminds us, “Self-actualization is the important thing. And my personal message to people is that I hope they will go toward self-actualization rather than self-image actualization. I hope that they will search within themselves for honest self-expression.” Let us embrace Lee’s insights in our homeschooling, and empower our children to live as courageous philosophers, purposeful warriors, and self-realized human beings.