Did someone tell you that ‘the pen is mightier than the sword?’ How is that possible? A sword is a far better weapon than a pen, right? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The proverbial expression ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ means mass appeal has more power than any force or army fighting against it. It’s a way of saying that you can get further with people and achieve a favorable outcome if you negotiate rather than try to take something by force.
Example Usage
"The pen is mightier than the sword means that violence isn't always the best solution. Some might say it's never the right solution. It's better to talk it out or write a letter of your grievances."
"I don't know what people use the term, 'the pen is mightier than the sword.' If I try to cut you with a pen, that's not going to work, but a sword? What do you think is going to happen?"
"Nations forge unions and agreements through signing documents rather than blowing up countries. The pen truly is mightier than the sword."
"With a swipe of his pen, he fell a nation into bankruptcy. Yes, it's true, the pen is mightier than the sword, and you don't want to go up against the wrong pen."
Some people think that violence is the only response available to them when someone does them wrong. However, I believe the pen is mightier than the sword."
"A gun can cause a ruckus and scare a lot of people. But a pen can cause a president to sign an order for a nuclear strike. Yes, the pen is mightier than the sword."
Origin
The expression ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ originates from the playwright and novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton. The proverbial phrase features his historical play, ‘Richelieu; Or the Conspiracy,’ written in 1839.
The play follows the life of Cardinal Richelieu, a chief minister to King Louis XIII. The cardinal discovers a plot to murder the king. However, as a cleric, he cannot take up arms to defend his master against his enemies.
The play led to the widespread adoption of the saying shortly afterward, making it common by the 1840s. Here is the part of the play featuring the expression.
“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!”
Phrases Similar to The Pen is Mightier than the Sword
- Non-violence.
Phrases Opposite to The Pen is Mightier than the Sword
- Brute force always wins.
What is the Correct Saying?
- The pen is mightier than the sword.
Ways People May Say The Pen is Mightier than the Sword Incorrectly
'The pen is mightier than the sword' is a false statement. If you go into battle with a pen instead of a sword, you’ll get cut to ribbons. However, the proverb means that communication is a bigger driving force to prosperity than violence.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase The Pen is Mightier than the Sword
You can use ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ when you want to express that communication and language are better methods of resolving situations than resorting to violence. It suits social and professional conversations, and you can use it to remind yourself that you should not be quick to anger or to inspire others to calm their thoughts of revenge or violence.
'The pen is mightier than the sword' is not a true statement in the physical sense. However, the world runs on the power of agreement and negotiation rather than war and violence. For society to progress, we need collaboration and cooperation, not feudal disputes and power grabs.