What is the Difference Between Stupidity and Courage?

A person making a reality video about swimming in a pool of piranhas with raw meat tied to your shorts is stupid. Diving in a pool to save a struggling child is courageous. The difference between stupidity and courage is the motive. If your motive is to either help, or do the right thing (i.e. enlisting in the service after 9.11) then it is courage. Also, it may seem stupid for someone to try and smuggle Bibles into a country that outlaws Christianity and the Scriptures, however, if it is to spread the Good News, then it is courageous. It all comes down to motive and purpose for which you act. A selfish motive, “Hey look at me jump off of this roof!” is stupid, “Hey we need to help that family whose car slid off the slick road.” is courage.