In the ABC series ‘Kung Fu’ (1972–1975), Shaolin master Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine) roams the American Old West. In each episode, he encounters people facing a problem or dilemma. Caine was raised in a Shaolin monastery in China’s Hunan Province, where he learned Taoist wisdom from his masters. He also trained in kung fu, which he uses only in self-defense.

Each episode features a number of aphorisms – concise and memorable expressions of general truths or principles. These often align closely with the insights of quantum mechanics and biocentrism discussed on this platform. Below, I’ve listed 20 of the aphorisms that resonated most with me.

About Language

‘If words are no better than silence one should keep silent.’
― Caine

‘Recognize that all words are part false and part true limited by our imperfect understanding. But strive always for honesty within yourself.’
― Master Kan

About Freedom

‘You are not inside a prison. The prison is inside of you.’
― Caine

‘Which is truly the prisoner? The fly, which, moving freely, enters unknown danger… or the spider, which, having spun its web, remains never knowing the pleasure of the danger of the fly.’
― Master Po

About Time

‘Our soul does not keep time. It merely records growth.’
― Master Po

‘If a man dwells on the past, then he robs the present. But if a man ignores the past, he may rob the future. The seeds of our destiny are nurtured by the roots of our past.’
― Master Po

About Oneness

‘All creatures, the low and the high, are one with nature. If we have the wisdom to learn they may teach us their virtues. Between the fragile beauty of the praying mantis and the fire and passion of the winged dragon, there is no discord. Between the supple silence of the snake and the eagle’s claw there is only harmony as no two elements of nature are in conflict. So when we perceive the ways of nature, we remove conflicts within ourselves and discover a harmony of body and mind in accord with the flow of the universe.’
― Master Kan

‘We are one. Yet we are not the same. Ten million living things have as many different worlds. Do not see yourself as a center of the universe, wise and good and beautiful. Seek, rather, wisdom, goodness and beauty that you may honor them everywhere.’
― Master Kan

About Destiny

‘I have a path. I seek not to change it, but to follow it.’
― Caine

‘The wheel of life is turned inexorably by the infinite stars. And so it is, the truth will not be cheated.’
― Master Po

‘What will happen will happen. Whether one is afraid of it or not.’
― Caine

About Evil

‘Where is evil? In the rat whose nature it is to steal grain? Or in the cat whose nature it is to kill the rat? Rain falls, the stream flows, a hill remains. Each acts according to its nature.’
― Master Po

‘Be like the mirror. Allow no evil to pass through you. Reflect it to its source.’
― Master Po

‘Evil can not be conquered in the world. It can only be resisted within oneself.’
― Master Po

About Reality

‘The sky is blue. I see it. You see it. But how can I know what is in my mind is like what is in yours? What is real?’
― Caine

‘Long ago, Chuang Chou dreamed that he was a butterfly. He was very joyful as a butterfly, well pleased with his lot, his aims fulfilled. He knew nothing of Chou the man. But shortly, he awoke and found himself again to be Chuang Chou. And he could not tell whether as Chou he had dreamed he was a butterfly or whether as a butterfly he had dreamed he was Chou.’
― Caine

About Life

‘Life sustains life. And all living creatures need nourishment. Yet, with wisdom, the body learns to sustain in ways that all may live.’
― Master Kan

‘Perceive the way of nature and no force of men can harm you. Do not meet a wave head-on. Avoid it. You do not have to stop force. It is easier to redirect it. Learn more ways to preserve rather than destroy. Avoid rather than check. Check rather than hurt. Hurt rather than maim. Maim rather than kill. For all life is precious, nor can any be replaced.’
― Master Kan

About Death

‘The mountain is beautiful with snow. But after it loses its snow, green grows from underneath. In every loss, there is gain. As in every gain, there is loss.’
― Master Po

‘It does not end. The journey goes on, from one time to another. Nothing dies that was ever something.’
― Caine