The most authoritative book in the literature of wisdom, The Proverbs, which is attributed to the wisest man to ever live - King Solomon - declared the following maxim about the wise and the strong: “The wise man is more powerful than the strong, and the man of knowledge adds to his strength.” (Proverb 24:5, NCB).
In response to that passage of scripture, I have composed a poem in order to try to elaborate on its message.
Wisdom is Mightier than Strength - A Poem:
Wisdom, the mightiest force of all
It conquers mountains, breaks through walls
A weapon stronger than swords or shields
It breaks the chains that bind and yield
Might may make men seem great and grand
But it's wisdom that commands the land
It guides us through life's stormy seas
A light that shines with elegance and ease
In wisdom we find a strength divine
A power that is truly intertwined
With knowledge and understanding deep
It helps us climb and never sleep
So let us seek wisdom in all we do
For it will guide us, strong and true
And though we may not be the mightiest of men
We will be rich in knowledge, and wise within
Wisdom is Mightier than Strength in the Context of the Corporate World:
In the cutthroat world of multi-national corporate, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of power and strength. We're told that we need to be the biggest, the baddest, the most dominant player in our field in order to succeed. But is that really true?
Before I delve into the analysis, the above claim is not an exaggeration, to prove my point, take a look at the following summary of the popular 16th-century political treatise by the Italian diplomat and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli called ‘The Prince’.
(Niccolò Machiavelli (3 May 1469 – 21 June 1527) was a Florentine statesman, political philosopher, historian, musician, poet, and comedic playwright. Statue by Lorenzo Bartolini outside the Uffizi, Florence.)
The summary: The book is about how a prince should rule and is based on Machiavelli's personal experience as a diplomat in Renaissance Italy. The main message of the book is that a prince should be willing to use any means necessary to maintain power and control, even if it means acting immorally or brutally. Machiavelli argued that the ends justify the means and that it is better for a prince to be feared than loved. He believed that the most important characteristic of a successful ruler is the ability to maintain power and that a ruler should do whatever it takes to keep control, even if it means going against traditional moral and ethical codes.
Now, let’s get back to our objective analysis, and to start with we’ll dissect the business sector in the corporate game. As it turns out, wisdom might just be the ultimate secret weapon in this fierce game. Here's why:
Wisdom allows us to make better decisions. Sure, brute force can sometimes get us what we want in the short term. But over the long haul, it's the ability to think critically and make sound decisions that really pays off. Wisdom helps us avoid costly mistakes, navigate tricky situations, and make the best choices for ourselves and our businesses.
Wisdom attracts the right people. It's not just about being the strongest person in the room - it's about having the right team around you. And people are naturally drawn to those who exude wisdom and intelligence. When you're the smartest person in the room, people will want to work with you, learn from you, and follow your lead.
Wisdom helps us adapt to change. In the business world, things are always changing. Markets shift, technologies evolve, and new competitors emerge. Wisdom helps us stay nimble and adapt to these changes, rather than being left behind. It's a crucial skill to have in today's fast-paced world.
So next time you're tempted to clench your fist, flex your muscles and show off your strength, remember that wisdom might just be the better route to success. It might not be as flashy, but it will get you exactly where you want to go in the long run.
Wisdom is Mightier than Strength in the Biblical Context:
One example of wisdom being mightier than strength can be found in the story of David and Goliath from the Bible. In this story, the Philistines and Israelites are at war, and the Philistines send out their champion, Goliath, to challenge the Israelites to a one-on-one fight. Goliath is a giant of a man, strong and formidable, while the Israelites are afraid and unable to find a worthy champion to fight him.
However, a young shepherd named David volunteers to take on Goliath. Despite his small size and lack of military training, David trusts in the Lord and uses his wisdom to defeat Goliath. He chooses to fight with a slingshot and stone, rather than a sword, and uses his knowledge of the terrain to his advantage. In the end, David's wisdom and faith in God triumph over Goliath's physical strength, and he emerges victorious.
This story demonstrates that wisdom and faith can be more powerful than physical strength and military might. It also shows the importance of using one's gifts and resources wisely, rather than relying solely on brute force or fragile human strength.
The Tale of Two People: The Wise and the Strong:
Two people were tasked with cutting down a large tree using an axe within three hours. One was strong, while the other was wise. As soon as the timer started, the strong one immediately began chopping away, relying on his physical strength to get the job done. However, his axe was dull and he didn't take the time to sharpen it before starting. After two hours of labor, he had only managed to cut a quarter of the tree trunk. As time passed, he became increasingly exhausted and the task became more and more difficult.
On the other hand, the wise one didn't start right away. Instead, he took some time to come up with a strategic plan for how to tackle the task effectively. He spent half an hour drawing up his plan and another hour sharpening the axe. Once satisfied with the sharp edge of the axe, he made his first stroke on the tree trunk when there was just half the time left. It only took him half an hour to bring down the entire tree and he finished with an hour to spare. He used the remaining time to treat himself to some refreshments as a reward for a job well done.
Meanwhile, the strong one was still struggling as time went on. By this point, even lifting his axe to make a stroke had become a burden. When the time was up, he had only managed to cut half of the tree trunk and had failed to complete the task. This scenario demonstrates that wisdom is indeed mightier than strength.
Here's a YouTube video translated from Russian to English by Kate Bochevar which depicts situations where wisdom showed to be much stronger than physical strength. There's an interesting story on how classical philosopher Archimedes protected his city from military invasion by applying the knowledge of his wisdom.
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