“The pen is mightier than the sword” is a famous phrase. The sword is very powerful and can extend enormous authority on humankind. Sword is powerful enough to enslave people and create a reign of terror.
However, sword can never conquer the mind and heart of the people. Pen, on the other hand, has proved to be more powerful than sword.
If control over people is achieved against their will at the force of the sword, then such reign will short-lived and ineffective. Such rule cannot stand the test of time.
The military achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte, Alexander the Great, Hitler, etc. have passed away into oblivion. On the other hand, the ideal preached by great writers and philosophers goes deep within the human heart. Hence, it has lasting effects. The great written works of poets, philosophers, scientists, etc. live forever.
Swords cannot build long-lasting empires. However, writers have proven to be more powerful than might warriors. The strong ideas of various great writers are credited for destroying monarchy and dictatorship in several parts of the world. The pen of the writers has encouraged the youth to fight against injustice.
The powerful ideas that come out of a writer’s pen has brought man out of barbarism to Civilization. The vastness of human beings consists in his ability to think and put it on a piece of paper. Human being is superior to animals not because of his physical strength, but due to his ability to think differently. Thus, it is not the sword but the pen, which is the vehicle of thought that places man higher than animals.