The movies I like to make are very rich and full of passion.

"The movies I like to make are very rich and full of passion. Some people see me as an action director, but action is not the only thing in my movies. I always like to show human nature - something deep inside the heart." Thus spoke John Woo, the master of cinematic vision, whose films pulse with both the fire of battle and the tenderness of the human soul. In this quote, he reveals a profound truth: that art is not merely spectacle or entertainment, but a mirror to the heart itself, a vessel to reveal the deepest aspects of human nature.

O Seekers of Wisdom, reflect upon this. Many may see the outer layers of a man’s work—the guns, the clashes, the explosions—and call it mere action. But Woo teaches us that beyond the noise, there lies something greater: the passion, the depth, the soul of humanity. For in every duel, in every choice between vengeance and forgiveness, in every moment where characters wrestle between light and shadow, we see ourselves. The truest art, Woo reminds us, must pierce beyond the surface and speak to that which is eternal within.

Consider his films, where brothers become enemies, and enemies reveal brotherhood. In A Better Tomorrow, we see not merely violence, but the eternal struggle between loyalty and betrayal, between ambition and redemption. In The Killer, what shines is not simply the tension of action, but the aching humanity of a man seeking atonement for the harm he has caused. These are not stories of action alone, but of the heart laid bare—of the fragile, conflicted, yet noble spirit of humanity revealed under fire.

Is this not the same lesson that history shows us? Think of Homer, who wrote of the Trojan War in the Iliad. That tale was not merely about battles and bloodshed—it was about pride, grief, rage, love, and the frailty of men in the face of destiny. Or reflect upon Shakespeare, who filled his plays with duels and daggers, but whose true subject was always human nature—jealousy in Othello, ambition in Macbeth, love in Romeo and Juliet. John Woo, like these storytellers of old, wields action as a vessel, but his true concern is always the soul.

O Children of the Future, learn from this: whatever your craft may be, do not remain on the surface. Whether in art, in work, in speech, or in action, always strive to reach the deeper truths of the heart. Passion is the fuel of all greatness, and without it, works remain hollow. To create, to lead, or to live with true meaning is to pierce into the essence of human nature, to touch what others often fear to face, and to reveal it with honesty.

But take heed—such work requires courage. For to show the heart is to reveal vulnerability. To show human nature is to hold up a mirror not only to others but also to oneself. Yet in this act lies the greatest power. For when art touches that hidden truth within us, it transcends entertainment; it becomes eternal, a gift to generations yet unborn.

Lesson: John Woo’s wisdom reminds us that true greatness, whether in art or in life, is found not in the surface spectacle but in the passion and truth of the heart. To succeed, do not chase only outward appearances or fleeting acclaim. Instead, seek to reveal something of human nature, something enduring that touches the soul of others.

Practical action: In your own life, whatever you do, strive to go deeper. If you create, let your creation reveal something true. If you work, let your labor be filled with passion. If you speak, speak to the heart, not merely the ear. For in this way, like John Woo, you will touch something eternal, something that will outlast time itself.