MovieChat Forums > Kung Fu (1972) Discussion > Favorite sayings and stories

Favorite sayings and stories

posted 20 years ago by jquark
13 replies | jump to latest

What were some of your favorite sayings and stories of Master Po and Master Kan to young Caine? Two of my favorites:

* Random acts of kindness (from the episode "Nine Lives") -- I can't remember the exact story, so I'll paraphrase:
When Caine receives an unexpected favor and he asks how he can repay the favor, the man tells him he has already helped him by paying off a "debt". Caine is told that the man was once the recipient of an act of kindness from a stranger, whose only request was that he must in turn perform seven acts of kindness to strangers. He continues, now you [Caine] must perform seven acts of kindness to strangers. And so good deeds will spread across the land.

* The famous Taoist philosophical question on one's perceived reality (from the episode "Alethea"):
"Am I a man who dreamt he was a butterfly? Or am I butterfly, who dreamt he was a man?

[–] defdex 20 years ago

i've just got my season 1 boxset - first time i'd ever seen an episode and i LOVE it.

re: random acts of kindness.
i watched this just last night, and it was Master Po who saved the young Caine, and told him he was paying off a debt... but in turn the debt was passed onto Caine in the form of 10 more acts of kindness, not 7. Which he successfully passed onto the old irish bloke, who went looking for a cat... and found happiness ;)

favourite saying... i'm not sure if i've quoted this right, but it's in one of the first few episodes.

"When ones words are more worthless than silence... One should be silent."

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tom waits is god.

[–] flowdesign01 20 years ago

When ones words are "not better" than silence...be silent!

[–] kenndawg 20 years ago

I think its in the third man, at the end when master po says that "if a tree falls in a forest with no ears to hear it, it makes no sound, yet it does fall!" I have no idea what that means but I think its the best advice ive ever heard. I know theres some more good ones but i cant think of any right now. This is the greatest show ever tv blows nowadays.

Bring out zee universal remonster!!

[–] ExPresidents 20 years ago

"Perceive the way of nature and no man 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."

I think that is one of the greatest lines in the entire series, and television in general.

[–] treker9588 20 years ago

Master Khan:"I am pleased to see you are wiser than the monkey"

I love that one. I know its not phisopical, but I still love it.

Master Po:"Arise calmly Grasshapper and brush the dirt from your trousers. You fought blindly Grasshopper, a sickley maden could have beaten you"

That one too. ;-)

[–] DannyCaine 20 years ago

It was very deep philosophical. the monkey was trying to take a piece of fruit from a vase but could not take it out because he would'nt let go of it.and master kan asks young Grasshopper "how can you get the fruit" Gh: "by letting go of it" Kan then replys" I am pleased to see you are wiser than the monkey"Grasshopper:" I am much wiser" Kan :"I would hope you remain so and will know when to let go of things that do not serve you but force you to serve them". It is one of my favorites.

[–] jquark 18 years ago

Master Po: "...can you hear the grasshopper... that is at your feet?"

Grasshopper: "Master, how is it you are blind, yet see so much?"

Master Po: "Grasshopper, how is it... you do not?"

[–] VitoZombie 18 years ago

Master Kan: "Ho Fong, what lesson have you learnt from this?"
Ho Fong: "Never trust a stranger"
Master Kan: "Kwai Chang, what lesson have you learnt from this?"
Young CaineL: "To expect the unexpected"

"DIDGERIDOOS RULE"

[–] VitoZombie 18 years ago

Master Kan: "Ho Fong, what lesson have you learnt from this?"
Ho Fong: "Never trust a stranger"
Master Kan: "Kwai Chang, what lesson have you learnt from this?"
Young Caine: "To expect the unexpected"

"DIDGERIDOOS RULE"

[–] Skragg 18 years ago

This one is a "spoiler." At the very end of "Superstition," the character says (meaning it figuratively), "I've been dying a long time. Any suggestions?" Caine says, "Live."

[–] wolfgirv-1 13 years ago

" I seek not to know all the answers, but to understand the questions"

[–] iambecomeaname 12 years ago

I think Caine`s romance with the chinese poet's daughter was pretty awesome.
the quote that stuck with me the most is the one that explains the whole purpose of Caine, in the episode called THE TONG. you actually get to hear what his real goal is: "I seek only to become a cup. Empty of myself. Filled with oneness." I think about it a lot but im still not really sure what it means. If anyone wants to comment that would be great. I would like to learn what it really means, and be as enlightened as Caine. I think i would be able to do a lot of good. If i could learn what this quote really means, than maybe id be that much closer to that level of awareness.

[–] Slew_Foot 12 years ago

Here's my take, for what it's worth:

Someone who is prideful is said to be "full of himself". Such persons often are close-minded know-it-alls. This is pretty much the opposite of Caine's ideal.

Instead, he aspired to be humble and free of misconceptions so that he would be more capable of seeking truth.

Just my opinion.