Tom is more wise than brave.

[angliholic]

Tom is more wise than brave.

Which of the following is closest in meaning to the above? Thanks.

Tom is brave, but he is braver compared with his bravity.
Tom is not brave at all, but he is wise.
Tom is not brave but wise.
Tom is not so much brave as wise.

[Tdol]

I would say that it meant that he was brave but his wisdom exceeded his bravery.

[angliholic]

Originally Posted by Tdol

I would say that it meant that he was brave but his wisdom exceeded his bravery.

Thanks, Tdol.

Could there be different interpretations among different native speakers?

[Tdol]

It could be used to suggest that he isn't very brave. If used sarcastically, it could even suggest that he is a bit of a coward (He whoruns away, ives to fight another day).

[angliholic]

Thanks, Tdol.
Roger that.

[Naamplao]

Originally Posted by angliholic

Thanks, Tdol.

Could there be different interpretations among different native speakers?

This sentence makes no sense at all

Tom is brave, but he is braver compared with his bravity.

There is no such word as bravity. Perhaps you meant "brevity" but this has nothing to do with wisdom.

The fact that Tom was wiser than he was brave says nothing about him being a coward.

He could be the best fighter in the land. However, he has learned that not all problems are solved by just fighting. He is wise enough to use his fighting abilities when he has to but it is not his first course of action.

On the other hand he could be a weakling who lives because of his reputation for wisdom.

There is nothing in these statements to indicate which one is correct.