Is it true that "the pen is mightier than the sword" & if so how?

Question

I mean it's almost impossible to kill someone with a pen so how can it be so much more effective than a sword or tomahawk missile?

Answer 1

Since I'm Ayn Rand's best pupil and successor, such a question should be easy. It is. You're taking the physical object as what the author meant. He meant the pen--which allows the human using it to write words that can influence, lead and direct millions of minds is "mightier" in the sense of working a change on people than the sword, which in a human hand can only murder or enforce laws onto a few men at a time. The second level of meaning is that the man who tries to conquer men with a sword or military might really doesn't accomplish much--he just inspires revolutionaries against him; but the man of ideas who writes them for others to understand gains millions of friends, and perhaps millions of followers.

Answer 2

Here is an excellent site on the power of words and war. I recommend you also check out the art of Micah Wright. This is all about the power of words and propaganda in the classroom.

The bomb or missile hits and kills.

The word can influence the mind that pushes the button that gets that missile going.

If you look through history, you will see that the intelligentsia is often the first to be eradicated because of their ability to read, write, and influence the thoughts of others.

What do you think propaganda is? It is the use of the pen and words to change the mind of a nation or a people so that they can accept the actions of their government. Sadly this is usually the abuse of this power of the word. Sadly also, to use a people, governments have been known to "dumb down" the civilians so their literary perception is dulled. They also can forbid reading of certain books for fear of the ideas people might pick up.

Playboy Magazine is an excellent example of how the word can change a nation. Between the photos and the stories it was one of the tools used to lower the moral values of America. Before that, such imagery was hard to come by and women were not exposed in such a way. This magazine and the values it pushed forward was just one of the tools used to begin to break down the morality that had helped keep America strong.

Why else would normally sane men march off to war that is unjust. They have been primed by the words of the media to think this is their patriotic duty. Those left behind are fed the same words to make them feel their sacrifice is worthwhile. Governments abuse this power in every nation.

The poet, the writer, the inspired activist or freedom fighter is often one of the first to be removed from society. Their words carry power. This is so in music, poetry, literature, any way in which the word is utilized.

Words last forever. The sword does not.

Answer 3

Allow me to write in words your attack against me with my pen. Having sent the note to the district attorney, you attempt to complete the deed using a sword or the tomahawk missile. My pen, creating the word, identifies you as the attempted murderer, regardless of what you used. So my Bic is best.

Answer 4

This is a philosphical statement, not a literal one......

People who settle disagreements by going to war don't accomplish anything (sword)...

An intelligent person who thinks and writes can change the world (pen)

Think of the Constitution, or the writings of Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John Kennedy...Winston Churchill and others.....What they had to say and write made changes in society.

You can kill a man, but you can't kill an idea....

Answer 5

You don't always have to kill people to get your task accomplished. Why not use your words to change their minds instead? Your words can live on after you and inspire millions of people for years, decades, centuries, or maybe forever. Isn't that a very powerful thing?

Answer 6

the pen can write the words saying "launch every nuclear missle we have" you cant even buy a big mac witha sword

Answer 7

you are misinterpreting the meaning of what is meant by it:

You use this proverb to say that you can solve problems or achieve your purpose better and more effectively through communication with words than by violence with weapons

This proverb means words are more powerful and effective than weapons in accomplishing your purpose.

Answer 8

It is.

Words hurt more than actions