Heroic implies possessing heroic traits such as courage. Literature is replete with stories of heroic people who, through their strength, cunning, or both, conquered seemingly insurmountable barriers. In reality, however, obstacles don't have to be life-threatening to be considered insuperable. For example, many a hero has found himself in a situation where there appeared to be no way out until someone had the insight to think outside the box. These people are then described as having demonstrated heroic qualities. In addition to being strong and courageous, a person must also possess certain intellectual abilities in order to be called a hero. It is these additional qualities that make up what some authors call the "heroic mind." According to this view, only people with brains can be heroes - no one else can take on that role because it requires thinking up creative solutions to problems and being able to act on them. Without intelligence, you simply cannot save anyone. It is this last quality that differentiates heroes from other people. While some people are brave and some are smart, only heroes are willing to risk their lives for others. This distinction is important because it tells us how to identify if someone is capable of being a hero. If you find yourself in a dangerous situation without any idea of how to get out of it, chances are that you need help.