The Grandmaster Quotes

Smoker: In the old days, if someone offered a smoke, the other had to accept even if he didn't smoke because otherwise, the man offering would lose face. Ip Man, please have a smoke.

[Ip Man takes the cigarette...]

Smoker: You have the gift. Had I been a few years younger, we would have sparred. It's been an honour...

[walks off]

[Ip Man thrashes a goon who demands money allegedly for his mother's funeral]

Ip Man: [gives money] This is prayer money. Sooner or later, you'll join your mother.

Goon: Come to think of it, you remind me of my dad. Do you need a disciple?

Gong Er: I had considered a career in opera years ago, I had received training. I had thought about it a lot: me on stage performing, and you in the audience watching...

Ip Man: What if your performance had sold out?

Gong Er: [smiles] You flatter me. I would have reserved a seat specifically for you.

Ip Man: I have watched you perform in the opera of life. You have shown great timing and skill; however you never went beyond the role you played.

Gong Er: I had no idea I have such an ardent spectator.

[last lines]

Ip Man: They say I spread wing chung throughout the world. I hope that's true. I didn't do it to acquire renown. The martial arts should be open to all, everyone should walk the same route. It all comes down to two words: Horizontal, Vertical.

Gong Er: This opera of mine, applauded or not, will play on to the end. I asked you here to bring things to a close and say what needs to be said.

Ip Man: Are you going somewhere?

Gong Er: We have a saying in the North - a tiger never quits the mountain. We've both been living on foreign soil. I'm so very tired. I want to go home. But I wanted to return this to you first. As for the 64 Hands, I've already forgotten them. I was lucky to meet you in my prime. Sadly, my time is running out. To say there are no regrets in life, is just to fool yourself. How boring it would be without regrets. Mr. Ip, to tell you the truth, I cared about you. I don't mind telling you that. It's not a crime to love. But that's all it can ever be. I never said that to anyone before. Seeing you tonight, I don't know why, it just came out. Let's say we suspend this game of chess between us. Take care.

Ip Man: In life, as in chess, a move once made stays on the board. What we have is simply fate. Your father once said, never give up the faith. Keep the light burning. I hope that one day I'll see the 64 Hands once more.