In the Jewish Talmud the sages advise us to adopt the following characteristics: "Be daring as a leopard, agile as a vulture, run as a deer and strong as a lion."

These metaphors are explained by the commentators as follows: dare as a leopard when people mock you (don't be embarrassed to do the right thing), be nimble/light as a vulture to shut your eyes when seeing something immoral, run as a deer (be light on your feet) to perform good deeds and be strong as a lion when it comes to get up in the morning (especially during cold winter nights when it is very difficult to get out of a warm comfortable bed).

From purely a scientific/zoologist point of view how much is the above saying justified?

1. Is a leopard the most daring animal (perhaps in some circumstances)? I thought that jaguars were more brave animals.
2. Are vultures the most agile/nimble birds in the air?
3. What is unique about the way that deer or antelopes run (fast/light/quick/agile)?
4. Why is the lion considered to be the strongest/mightiest animal. Are not elephants and even tigers are much stronger?

These questions have fascinated me a long time and I would greatly appreciate your expert input.

Thanks a million.