by Michael Frissore

Created on: April 16, 2008

The grudge match between courage and wisdom has a decisive winner, I think. I mean, remember when the lion in "The Wizard of Oz" asked for wisdom? Remember the great Stephen Crane novel "The Red Badge of Wisdom?" Or Denzel Washington starring in the film "Wisdom Under Fire?" How about Rudyard Kipling's wonderful novel, which became a great Spencer Tracy film, called "Captain Wisdomous?"

No, you don't. Because wisdom stinks. Wisdom is something an old man has, but nobody wants to listen to him because he keeps going on and on about nothing. Grandpa and his wisdom go right into the old age home. Then again, you'd rather have the wisdom of old Grandpa than the courage of the nurse who has to clean up after him. Nonetheless, I'd rather have courage because the nurse will end up putting a pillow over Grandpa's face anyway.

Wisdom is a Book in the Bible, and not even one of the good ones. Wisdom is an attribute in a bunch of those role-playing games. Great, fight a demon and earn points with your wisdom. Wisdom is contained in a bag of potato chip with a stupid owl on it. Wouldn't you be more likely to buy a bag of Courageous Potato Chips? Wisdom is a useless tooth you have removed while you're knocked out on anesthesia and your dentist fondles you.

And you don't get a purple heart for showing wisdom.

Oh, you might say, well, while you're being all courageous and fighting dragons and sea monsters and Satan, Mr. Wisdom is watching you from afar through a crystal ball, pondering life and saying, "Well, he's dead."

Nonetheless! It's cooler to be courageous! Look at the film "The Neverending Story." Atreyu risks his life to fight the Nothing. He trudges through snow and mud, loses his horse in the Swamp of Sadness, battles the wolf G'mork. He is a brave, courageous warrior. Yet it's the Princess who's admired, whether it's for her blank wisdom or whatever. It's a stupid movie.

Courage is the stuff that champions are made of - boxers and Ultimate Fighters and professional wrestlers. It's what every young man (and woman, say, post 1985) should have. Until they turn 70, THEN the wisdom should kick in.

Learn more about this author, Michael Frissore.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.