I say, the sword is truly more powerful than the shield. A shield is a material object one hides behind, relying on its strength to protect, not one's own. Those who hide behind their shield, trust in its strength not their own, leaving them weak and unable to improve. However, the sword can cut a swath through the enemy and can defend as well as attack. One who uses the sword meets oncoming attacks fiercely and does not cower in fear, trusting in their own strength as well as their brothers. The sword is only as powerful as the one who uses it, however this allows wielders of the sword the potential for unlimited power for their prowess may increase, but a shield cannot become any stronger than it already is.

no i think attack is better

Another often quothe proverb is " the best defense is a good offense." Besides if one cannot effectively strike ones opponent what chance does one have of winning? All you can hope for is a draw or defeat. 

In Defence of the Shield

I choose the shield. Often in battle one needs to protect, waiting for the enemy to tire before delivering the fatal blow. A sword's use is obvious... The shield, however, has many abilities. One may choose to merely hide behind a shield or one may choose to "use" the shield. Shields may be used for pure protection as well as aggressive and deadly weapons.

Seemingly only defensive, to the inexperienced, the shield can be used in parrying and blocking attacks. A master knows the shield's edges can effectively slash and stab. It's face can be used as a battering ram and a fence, hiding an attack. A shield can be worn on either arm or on one's back to free up both arms  for other tasks... Such as disarming the enemies sword and using it against him, while still having your back protected. It may also be thrown as a long range disc projectile. If not hitting with deadly accuracy distracting long enough to deliver a mortal wound. While most wildly stab, hack and slash with sword... Using a shield in combat, requires tactical, and strategical skill.

Indeed, I choose the sheild. It is more powerful than the sword. Not only because it is more flexible... or because it is designed with the sturdiness to bear prolonged attack... The most important reason for my choice is because it's not only able to protect one's self in battle but the man beside as well.

You do have to be strong to use a shield if you're arms are weak, if someone hits it with a sword and you're too weak, the shield will surly slip out of you're hands. So you do have to be strong to use a shield. But I'd have both a shield in my right hand, and a sword in my left hand.

I would take a sword. A sword can strike when you choose, when your enemy is at his weakest, or in a faint before going to another side. It is up to the shield to re-act to the sword, not the other way around and thus the shield is at the mercy of the sword.

It would depend of the shield and sword, a broadsword can smash the shield, the hand and a half can be blocked followed by a punch to the face, a Katina can slice the shield, a knife or dagger, it really doesn't matter, can sneak across the side of the shieldand stab, the gladius would be too short to get around and can be hit in the face. I know a little shields, the Roman shield, whatever it is, couldn't be snuck around and reaching up would be no good, the large shield could be sneaked around and you could be killed but it couldn't be smashed but you cannot hit them in the face with it, and small shield, (hand shield?) would be just a horrible idea. If I had to chose my weapon it would be the hand and a half, or Katina.