THE PEN IS MIGHTIER THAN SWORD
Growing up as a child, you often heard your teacher say, "The pen is mightier than the sword," and you would sit there wondering what it truly meant. Years later, you’ve come to understand that phrase, not because you were too young to grasp it back then (in fact, you did understand it, though it felt more like a clever way for the teacher to get everyone to stick to their books), but now, with time and experience, the meaning is much clearer.
Over the years, you may have encountered people who resorted to violence for no apparent reason. Back then, you thought that was just how they expressed themselves, and at the time, it somehow felt acceptable.
When you see someone resort to violence over an issue, it's often a defensive way of navigating a difficult situation. It's not always about aggression; sometimes it's about fear, frustration, or a lack of better tools. Take our country, Nigeria, for example. The government often responds to criticism by threatening the media with torture and silencing journalists through imprisonment. This is not just because they hold power, but because they fear the power of the media. A single sentence written with intent can expose their corruption, lies, and betrayal.
You may remember the recent peaceful protest in Abuja, led by popular activist Charlie Boy, who simply questioned the long absence of President Muhammadu Buhari. What happened next? He was arrested and beaten. Other peaceful protesters were dispersed with tear gas, all because they held placards that read, "Our president should come back home."
This was a clear example of the ongoing battle between the pen and the sword. The sword tried to silence the pen, but in doing so, it revealed its own weakness. You begin to see that true power does not always roar. Sometimes, it simply writes.
THE SWORD FEARS THE POWER OF WHAT THE PEN CAN DO AND SO USES ATTACK AS A DEFENSIVE MECHANISM.
A few days later, the outcome of the peaceful protest, both here in Nigeria and outside President Buhari’s residence in the UK, began to take effect. Angry Nigerians in the UK had taken to the streets, demanding the President’s return after the brutal treatment of Charlie Boy. Eventually, President Buhari returned home.
Once again, the pen prevailed over the sword. No matter how long you try to silence the media, it always finds a way to speak.
Over time, you discover a better way to deal with unfavorable situations, one that did not involve violence. Only then would you begin to choose expression over aggression, and that changes everything.
You took up the habit of scribbling whatever you felt in moments of fury, from lyrics to songs, sketching comic characters, to even writing full stories about the situation. This is how you discovered self-control.
It is true, everyone gets angry at times, but how you choose to handle it is your decision alone.
You taught yourself how to improve your writing and eventually took it to the next level by writing stories for children, as well as inspirational and educational articles as a freelance writer. Now, you are a blogger of life.
Do you know that you can share your life story and experiences with the world without speaking a single word?
Yes, you can. And it begins by connecting your body, mind, and soul to a piece of paper with a pen in hand. Technology has made this even easier through computers and websites where you can write and express yourself for free.
Many lives have been saved simply through writing. That is why you must understand the power that lies in written words. Once written, they cannot be taken back. You either use them to build people up or to break them down.
The sword destroys but the pen builds.
