?That Resonates With Me?: Bruce Lee?s Iconic Quote Inspires Will Smith, Revealed in His Autobiography

Academy award-winning actor Will Smith has left his mark on Hollywood in the past two decades. Smith is among the few individuals with Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony award nominations. However, Smith first became famous for his music. In his autobiography, Smith revealed how Bruce Lee motivated him during his journey as a rapper.

The Hollywood icon released his autobiography,?“Will”?in November 2021. In the book, Smith mentioned how Bruce Lee’s words helped him to realize his potential.

Bruce Lee inspired a young Will Smith to work harder

In his autobiography, Will Smith wrote, “There is a great Bruce Lee quote that resonates with me.”?Even during his prime, when Lee was acting and directing, he neither compromised on his training nor did Lee stop teaching students.?“Master, you constantly speak to us of peace, yet every day you train us to fight,”?one of Lee’s students once told the martial arts icon.

He asked how Lee reconciles the contrasting ideas of peace and martial prowess.?“It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war,”?Lee told his pupil. The quote inspired Smith to dedicate himself to his craft. Smith wrote his rapping journey began as a way to earn the validation of his peers. However, Smith realized he must work hard to find success.

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“It wasn?t just going to come to me. I had to go get it,” wrote Smith in his autobiography. What Lee said to his student was a paraphrasing of an old Chinese proverb. Smith understood he had to be proficient in his craft because it?“allows you to be calm in a storm, knowing that you can handle whatever comes.”

Will Smith’s rapping career

After Smith realized his potential, he began taking music seriously. Smith formed a duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff and adopted the stage name, Fresh Prince. DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince earned a Grammy in 1988 for their single?“Parents Just Don?t Understand.”?However, Smith also shined when he recorded solo music for?“Men in Black”?in 1997. Smith won another Grammy for recording the title track of the hit movie.

The same year, Smith also released his debut album?“Big Willie Style”. As his acting career grew, Smith dived in with the same philosophy of constantly improving his craft. Smith released his fourth and last solo album, “Lost and Found”?in 2005.

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Can you also resonate with Bruce Lee’s quote? Let us know in the comments.