There is a famous saying that the role of pen is mightier than that of the sword. But unfortunately there are people who believe that the use of force is necessary. The pen expresses a personal or public opinion. It stands for the press, literature, newspapers, books, and other writings.
The purpose of all writing is to connect one’s mind with another, to persuade the reader to take up the view which the writer holds on a particular subject. The reader has the right to hold his own view, he may not be convinced of the writer’s judgement and opinions presented to him.
We may, therefore, say that the pen stands for the peaceful means by which a person is persuaded to accept the views which the writer holds. No force is used to persuade the reader but a good and forceful writer forms an opinion.
But the sword, on the other hand, stands for the force. It forces views on others. If they do not accept these views they must be challenged. The sword, therefore, implies force, not reason. The pen is thus preferred of the two. But the sword has its own uses.
In the world, there exists not only good, sincere honest and responsible people but also those who are wicked, dishonest and unreasonable. No argument will convince them and no eloquence can persuade them, Thus where arguments fail the sword succeeds. But this does not mean that the use of the sword is desirable.
More often than not the sword has been misused. History shows how kings and generals usurped power and used it to oppress people. Give a man sword to do some good, but in most cases, he will use it for evil purposes. All thoughtful men, therefore, prefer the pen to the sword.
The government of today is carried on through the help of the Press. We are soon warned if we are in the wrong. No government of today can stand against a powerful pen. The writer or the debater by his writing or reasoning rules the day.
People have greater faith in the power of the pen than that of the sword. Both the pen and the sword have their uses in life. Both reason and force properly mixed are necessary for good government.
The time has not yet come when people will care for the good of others more than their own. But it is a sign of good times coming. The force is no longer an argument with us. But we have not yet reached the stage when all swords may be beaten into ploughshares.
