Defining Wisdom -- The Swordsman Archetype
Updated: Sep 18
Wisdom is composed of two parts, which can be compared to the parts of a sword. A sword is composed of a hilt and a blade. The hilt is used to carry the blade and to point it in different directions. The blade cannot function properly without its hilt, or else the swordsman would damage their arm. The hilt guides the blade and the blade obeys the orders of the hilt.
Wisdom is similar, for it is composed of decision, which is the hilt, and knowledge, which is the blade. Indeed, knowledge is made by decisions, and decisions generate knowledge. Knowledge cannot act or be revealed by a conscious mind without decision.
A wise individual is like a swordsman. They know how to channel their decisions in accordance with the nature of the issues they are confronted with. When the issue is swift and agile, the wise use their sword as protection until the right time to strike accurately. The strike of the sword symbolizes action. Thus, the wise person knows when to decide, what to decide, what not to decide, and when not to decide.
When the issue is slow and yet dangerously heavy, the wise attempt to extract the full potential of the sword with a killing blow. And when the issue's strike reaches down upon them like a giant asteroid, they restrain their excited spirit and avoid the enemy's blow as quickly as they can. They are constantly aware of their surroundings, as well as the the potential consenquences of their next moves. They take a pause until the end of the blow's power, and then retaliate swiftly and powerfully as before, until the giant enemy is exhausted and surrenders.
Even if you are a weak and fragile individual, with the right timing, patience, power, and accuracy, you may have the chance to gradually overcome a larger and much stronger foe until it is finally defeated. Customize your sword in a way that fits not only the environment you are facing, but also your own capabilities. Do not overestimate the world and do not overestimate yourself.
The more accurate the sword is for both the handler and the opponent, the greater the chances of success will become. Success symbolizes the ability of your choices to go according to your plans, which is the wise thing to do when making choices.
In general, wisdom can be measured by choices. The more our choices align with our ambitions, the more wise we can deem ourselves. Freedom of choice allows us to make wise choices as well as dumb choices. And as such, we are not entitled to a specific decision-making plan, other than the one we follow, spontenously or otherwise. It is therefore our choice to be wise or less-than-wise.
As such I have my own, Rubinshteinic Decision-Making Plan.
