In action a great heart is the chief qualification. In work, a

“In action a great heart is the chief qualification. In work, a great head.” Thus spoke Arthur Schopenhauer, the German sage of solitude, who gazed deeply into the nature of man and the forces that move the world. In these few words, he drew a line between two realms of human striving — the realm of deed and the realm of craft. For though both belong to the same soul, they spring from different fountains: one from courage, the other from wisdom. And he who would live a life both noble and fruitful must learn to keep the balance between them — to act with the fire of the heart, and to work with the clarity of the mind.

In the realm of action, said Schopenhauer, the great heart reigns supreme. To act is to confront the unknown, to stand upon the edge of danger or decision, where thought falters and only spirit remains. In that moment, intellect is but a servant — it can advise, but it cannot lead. For the man who acts must possess courage, faith, and will. He must face the storm not with calculation, but with conviction. His heart must burn brighter than his fear, for it is the fire within that drives the body forward when the path ahead is dark. The great heart is not reckless, but resolute; it does not shrink from duty, nor flee from sacrifice.

Look upon Joan of Arc, the maiden of France, who knew nothing of strategy or diplomacy, yet led armies and stirred a nation. Her sword was faith, her shield was purity of purpose. The scholars and generals doubted her, the priests condemned her, yet she moved as one whose heart was aflame with divine calling. Hers was not the cleverness of a tactician, but the great heart of a hero — and through that heart, history itself was changed. Thus Schopenhauer’s truth stands: in action, greatness of heart outweighs greatness of mind. The moment of decision belongs to those who dare.

But in the realm of work, where endurance replaces battle and creation replaces conflict, it is the great head that must govern. For work is the slow shaping of form from chaos — the patient, disciplined labor of mind and hand. It is here that reason, clarity, and understanding are the true rulers. The worker, the artist, the thinker — these must measure their steps with care, for haste ruins what the intellect builds. In work, passion must bow before precision; emotion must serve structure. To build a temple, one must have not only zeal, but also knowledge of the stone.

Consider Leonardo da Vinci, who embodied the union of heart and head, yet whose work was the triumph of intellect over impulse. His heart dreamed of the flight of birds, of the beauty of the human form, of the harmony between art and science — yet his head turned those dreams into invention. His sketches, so precise and measured, were the silent offspring of a mind that ruled its passions with discipline. In his work, we see the truth of Schopenhauer’s saying: it is not enough to feel deeply; one must also think clearly. The heart may ignite the flame, but the head must shape its light.

Thus, the great heart and the great head are not enemies but allies, each sovereign in its domain. The heart moves us to begin; the head shows us how to continue. The heart gives courage to take the first step; the head gives wisdom to find the right path. Without the heart, man becomes a cold machine; without the head, he becomes a reckless fire. True greatness is found in the harmony of both — the heart to act, the head to endure.

Let this teaching, then, be your guide: when the hour of action comes, listen to your heart — let it make you bold, compassionate, and unafraid. But when the hour of work comes, listen to your mind — let it make you patient, diligent, and wise. In the heat of battle, be like the lion; in the quiet of the workshop, be like the craftsman. For life demands both — the valor of the heart and the vision of the head. And he who learns to unite them will not only achieve, but also inspire; not only build, but also bless the generations that follow.