[Points: A strange statement in its literal meaning—real meaning—instances from history—empires based on military power limited in time and space—empires of great writers and thinkers wider and more enduring—supreme need of the modern age.]
We generally take the word 'mighty' to mean 'very powerful' in the physical sense. Thus, great military conquerors like Alexander, Chengiz Khan, Napoleon are still regarded as among the 'mightiest men of old. The empires that Rome, Spain and Great Britain built up were called 'mighty' because of their vastness and great military power. Even in modern times the United States of America and Russia are called the 'mightiest' powers of the present days. And the sword or military strength is at the root of all this 'mightiness'. Contrasted with this, the pen is a very humble instrument, not connected with any physical power. So, to say that the pen is mightier than the sword may seem an absurd or impossible statement.
Still the proverb, like all other proverbs, states a very simple truth. Here the words 'pen' and 'sword' stand for 'writer' and 'soldier' respec tively. The word 'mighty' also is used in a much wider sense to include moral and spiritual power or influence. The proverb, therefore, means that writers and thinkers exercise a much greater influence-wider and more enduring-on men and the world than any military conqueror. Let us take the cases of the heroes named above. They were among the greatest generals of the past But he empires they built up were limited to certain parts of Europe, Asia and Africa. And even these limited empires passed away almost with their death. The empires of Greece and Rome have gone. But Aristotle, Socrates, Plato, Homer, Virgil, Dante still rule the minds of men everywhere. The British is no more; but Shakespeare is immortal. Our own country too had many mighty emperors. They and their empires are all gone; but Valmiki and Kalidas sway our minds yet. Rabindranath's empire. has been extending to distant corners of the earth. Woodin
The great books the Geeta, the Bible and the Koran were written long long ago. Empires have come and empires have gone in the mean-time; but the spiritual influence of these books has continued unabated through ages.
In the military sense too writers sometimes exercise a greater and wider influence than great generals. Let us take writers like Rousseau. Voltaire, Karl Marx, Tolstoy, Gorky. Their writings inspired epoch making revolutions in France and Russia, and are influencing the thoughts and ideas of people in many other countries.
Human civilisation is passing through a crisis. There is a mad race for deadly weapons to annihilate mankind. In times like these, man's only hope lies in firm faith in the truth of the proverb "The pen is mightier than the sword. It will make him give up ways of violence and take to ways of wisdom.
