The pen is mightier than the sword is a metonymic adage that has been used for centuries. While many have advocated the power of the sword, it cannot be denied that the pen holds significant power as well. The written word has transformed socioeconomic and political landscapes. Thus, it remains true that the written word is more powerful than the strength of weapons.
Forceful or armed intervention helps a totalitarian or dictatorial government to intimidate the masses into submission. The use of force or intimidation does not require deep reasoning. According to supporters of violence, violence is better because it gives immediate results and destroys opponents. An example of this can be Jamal Khashoggi who was killed in a rogue operation because he criticised the policies of Saudi Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed, through his column in the Washington Post. Similarly, in Northwest China, libraries burnt books that did not align religiously and politically to the communist ideologies of the PRC party. These incidents show how people fear the power of the pen and use the “sword” mercilessly to silence them.
Though it might seem that the “sword” holds significant power, the profound impact of the pen should not be forgotten. For example, in China, Mao Zedong was deeply influenced by the writings of Karl Marx. The impact of Marx’s view led to the communist revolution in China. Similarly, many books and written words have provided us look into deeper ideas like colonialism and post-colonialism. For example, Edward Said’s book Orientalism evaluated and criticised western beliefs about oriental people and formed an important ground for post-colonial studies. Adolf Hitler’s autobiographical book, Mein Kampf, disseminated his ideologies to a large audience. Therefore, the pen has the power to influence human thought and behaviour inefficient ways without violence.
Supporters of violence often argue that words mean nothing if a nation cannot protect itself from external military forces. For example, literature did not help to stop violence against Black Americans. Thinking retrospectively, literature was of little use when the German military invaded Poland or when Malaysia was attacked by the Japanese forces. One could surmise that when military power is strong, words are of little use. Military forces in this instance can destroy societies and culture and also replace the existing literature with something new.
The power of the pen has morphed into the power of social media. Governments have been formed and finished by the swift stroke of the keyboard. In modern times, the pen manifests itself as Twitter feeds, Instagram posts and some even suggest, Tik Tok videos. The power of the pen is seen in hashtags that give further boost to causes and challenges that societies want to surmount. The Arab Sping, Occupy Wall Street, Black Lives Matter and the MeToo movement area all examples of how the pen has been able to show its mettle in the form of words, and actions. The world is less violent now and conflicts mostly regional.
Even today, the pen is mightier than the sword. Many problems of the world find a solution in the written word and do not require the display of might. In the end, might can only oppresses and can only lead to superficial success and sooner or later will find itself challenged by the written word. Words have become the balm that has been used to soothe the masses, not violent intervention.
