Li Mu Bai Quotes in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)

Li Mu Bai: I've already wasted my whole life. I want to tell you with my last breath that I have always loved you. I would rather be a ghost, drifting by your side as a condemned soul, than enter heaven without you. Because of your love, I will never be a lonely spirit.

Li Mu Bai: No growth without assistance. No action without reaction. No desire without restraint. Now give yourself up and find yourself again.

Li Mu Bai: The things we touch have no permanence. My master would say: there is nothing we can hold onto in this world. Only by letting go can we truly possess what is real.

Li Mu Bai: I would rather be a ghost drifting by your side as a condemned soul than enter heaven without you... because of your love, I will never be a lonely spirit

Li Mu Bai: Like most things, I am nothing.

Yu Shu Lien: You were enlightened?

Li Mu Bai: No. I didn't feel the bliss of enlightenment. Instead... I was surrounded by an endless sorrow.

Li Mu Bai: [to Yu Shu Lien] Crouching tigers and hidden dragons are in the underworld... but so are human feelings.

Li Mu Bai: Real sharpness comes without effort.

Li Mu Bai: She should come to Wudan and become a disciple.

Yu Shu Lien: But Wudan does not accept women.

Li Mu Bai: For her, they might make an exception. If not, I'm afraid she'll become a poisoned dragon.

Li Mu Bai: Sharpness is a state of mind.

Li Mu Bai: [to the Sword Thief] Give yourself up and find yourself again.

Yu Shu Lien: What was it?

Li Mu Bai: Something I can't let go of.

Li Mu Bai: Giang Hu is a world of tigers and dragons, full of corruption.

Li Mu Bai: Even if I was banished to the darkest place, my love will never let me be a lonely spirit.

Yu Shu Lien: The Green Destiny Sword. You're giving it to Sir Te.

Li Mu Bai: I am. He has always been our greatest protector.

Yu Shu Lien: I don't understand. How can you part with it? It's been with you a long time.

Li Mu Bai: Too many men have died at its edge. It may look pure... , but only because blood washes so easily from its blade.

Jen Yu: Why do you want to teach me?

Li Mu Bai: I've always wanted a disciple worthy of the Wudang secrets.

Li Mu Bai: You did your job well. The sword is back. But... This girl. I saw her last night.

Yu Shu Lien: I knew you'd be suspicious.

Li Mu Bai: She needs controlling. She needs real direction and training.

Li Mu Bai: You need practice. I can teach you to fight with the Green Destiny, but first you must learn to hold it in stillness.

Jen Yu: Why do you want to teach me?

Li Mu Bai: I've always wanted a disciple worthy of Wudan's secrets.

Jen Yu: And if I use them to kill you?

Li Mu Bai: That's a risk I'm willing to take. Deep down you're good. Even Jade Fox couldn't corrupt you.