Sticks&stones canbreak my bones but words can't hurt me"but"The pen is mightier thanthe sword"are in conflict?

Question

The 2 sayings are both about the power of words. The first saying say words are powerless while the second says the opposite. Which one do you lean toward and why? TWH 08232006

Each saying has its own domain, and can be interpreted in a number of sensible ways, but my focused on the aspect that none of you acnowledged even though every effort was made to juxtapose the idea that words have no impact even compared to being hit with sticks and stones that hurt with the idea that written words have an enduring presence and an energizing effect that is stronger than the use of violent force which has only a short-lived impact. TWH 08292006

Answer 1

if you analyze the 2 sentences, the first one is on the defensive. it sends a message to be strong despite of abuse. it is more of an encouraging, dont give up quote. on the otherhand, the second quote is more on the offensive side. it is saying to influence people, you can do better by changing the way they think than by using brute force to make them submit and resent you later. so they are alike and different at the same time.

Answer 2

I think that the first is about how you should ignore people who say bad things because they can only hurt you if you let them. The second is a matter of education. Politically, what is reported or told in print can be something that can really start people thinking. One of the things this country was founded on was the rebellion against the British, which was fueled by pamphlets and articles that showed the people how they were being unfairly treated and why. This led to the people rebelling and finally starting their own government.

Answer 3

I believe words are much more powerful. It takes wisdom to use words in a meaningful and powerful way, but any moron thug can throw sticks and stones or slash someone with a sword. Words can travel great distances...such as on Yahoo! Answers...and reach many people (for good or bad) but you can't harm anyone physically from such a distance (unless you're the Unibomber).

Answer 4

Well, both are true.

Words can only hurt us if we let them. So, other people's insults will only affect us if we take them to heart. Really, this is the "sticks and stones" adage. You can beat me up, but your words won't affect me--because I won't let them.

However, the pen IS mightier than the sword. Look around us--people are fighting and killing each other in the name of politics, religion, racial differences. But nothing gets resolved. Things are resolved when people think out their problems and resolve them through non-violent means (treaties, promises, contracts...you know, the "pen").

So, in one sense, words CAN'T hurt us when they are in the form of insults. But when it's time to resolve our problems, the best way to do so is with our words--our postive words.

Answer 5

1. Words cannot hurt me if I stay with truth, but sticks and stones can break by bones.

2. Against social evils pen is mightier than sword.

Is it in conflict now???

Answer 6

I lean toward the second. I never believed the first one. Words can hurt very much.

Answer 7

There's no conflict at all, one has to do with knowing yourself and your own will against a foe and the other has to do with the power of words to start a movement.

Answer 8

They are both dangerous to me,because once you put it in the atmosphere it's hard erase any ugly thing you've said or wrote down. It's best not to act to fast on any emotion,because it can led to something not so good "you understand what I mean?".

Answer 9

My version : Stick and stones can break my bones but words cause PERMANENT damage!!

Answer 10

The pen can'strike' many at once, therein lies its power. the first one, 'sticks & stones' has no basis in reality.