Master Yip Man was Bruce Lee’s earliest mentor. Oftentimes, it is the people we never hear about who inspire the greatest minds and people. Having now dove deep into whatever I could find of Master Yip Man there is perhaps one lesson that I have found especially intelligent.

The lesson that Master Yip Man taught a young Bruce Lee goes like this:

Imagine the oak tree – tall, sturdy, and imposing. It commands respect with its sheer strength. It is a tree that people marvel at and it produces wood that is coveted by all. The oak tree, at first glance, is the bellowing tree of all trees. However, consider a drastic event: when the winds of change blow hard, the oak tree can snap under its pressure. In a way, its sheer size will now work against it, increasing the odds of it snapping in perilous conditions.

Now, think of the bamboo – slender, unassuming, boring, and yet, resilient. When the storm strikes, and winds blow, it doesn’t resist the pressure. Instead, it bends and sways, flowing with the wind, utilizing the perfect ratio of weight and dexterity, height and width, to stay intact despite the storm’s fury.

It flows with the wind in any direction.

It adapts.

It is agile.

Master Yip Man used comparison to teach a young Bruce Lee about the advantages of adaptability or more importantly, agility. Perhaps this is what eventually inspired the all famous quote: “be like water.”

One can be imposing, tall and sturdy, profound in look and stature, but without the agility or adaptability, nor the capability to be fluid within changing circumstances, a snap is bound to come.

I believe you can find a lesson in this whether you are reading it as an investor, trader, builder or hobbyist.