the pen is mightier than the sword

T

the pen is mightier than the sword

Meaning

• the power of mass appeal is stronger than the force used against it
• writing is more effective than forces or fighting
• writers are more commanding than strong soldiers
• good writers have more influence on people than forces

Example Sentences

1. I totally believe that the pen is mightier than the sword and will continue to write about my honest opinions even if it irks a few.
2. If our ancestors had not believed that the pen is mightier than the sword then we probably would have not been here now.
3. This newspaper works on the belief that the pen is mightier than the sword.
4. My mother has taught me that the pen is mightier than the sword and that I needn’t be afraid of anyone when I work on such writing pieces.
5. You talk about the pen being mightier than the sword but then how did the goons manage to get into the journal’s office and shoot so many people in broad day light.
6. The journalist took her last breath because of coving this issue but proved to the world that eventually it is the pen that is mightier than the sword.
7. After the mass killings at the newspaper office, there is a protest which is happening in the city declaring support to the paper and proving that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Origin

At the times when revolutions were being caused by people who controlled the newspapers and the print media, it became clear that writing had immense power and could control even the popular opinions.

The English words “The pen is mightier than the sword” were first discovered in 1839 by novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton, for his historical play Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy. The play was about Cardinal Richelieu. Richelieu, the chief minister to King Louis XIII, find out a scheme to murder him, but as a cleric he is not capable to take up weapons against his rivals. Right after the play this saying quickly obtained popularity everywhere. By the 1840s this idiomatic phrase was a common saying.

The snippet of Richelieu play where the phrase was originated:

Rich. [Lifting a pen.

True, this!
Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword. Behold
The arch enchanter’s wand: itself a nothing;
But taking sorcery from the master hand –
To paralyse the Cæsars and to strike
The loud earth breathless! – Take away the sword –
States can be saved without it!

[Francois takes the sword back to its place. Clock strikes.

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