Wisdom is
difficult to define in a narrow way. It’s helpful to think about wisdom
as the intersection of boldness and gentleness:
Boldness is
being assured, confident, moving forward in the face of risks. Bold
people step out and stand out. Boldness is not recklessness or rashness
because it is thoughtful. Boldness requires deep situational awareness and
tempered judgment. When we think of boldness we think of words like
brave, courageous, gutsy, dauntless, fearless, gallant, heroic, lionhearted,
manful, stalwart, honor, and valiant. History shows time and again that bold
actions often galvanize others into action and bring new resources into the
situation. The Romans said, “Fortuna favors the bold.” Boldness is
superior to timidity in every instance, but it is not necessarily immediate
action. Sometimes boldness is watchful waiting.
Gentleness
is strength under control. Gentleness is not softness.
Gentleness is not ambiguous or amorphous. Gentleness is not weakness. The
process of taming a wild horse is called gentling; the horse is every bit as
strong as before, but now under control. The mother who sings softly for hours
for a colicky infant is being gentle. The fireman who heaves the child safely
through the window to another fireman on the ladder to escape the burning
apartment building is being gentle. The man who refuses to be bullied,
responding in an even voice, is being gentle. A great knight was a
warrior who could resolve an issue while keeping his deadly sword sheathed.
Every parent
knows that children are not born with reservoirs of self-control.
Self-control is learned. Self-mastery is a lifetime adventure.
The process of
a boy becoming a man is partially about learning to be gentle, to become strong
and to use strength well. Girls becoming women also learn to master their
strengths for noble purposes. Adult bullies and childish brats of any age
use strength without control.
Boldness and
gentleness together are the vehicles of wisdom, expressing itself. Boldness
and gentleness work together for good. Nothing of lasting value happens
without boldness. Boldness apart from gentleness leads to tyranny.
Boldness and gentleness check each other’s worst tendencies and support one
another.