IF Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.... then

[GennGreymane]

How is the pen mightier than the sword?

[Deleted]

in the context of drawing i guess a pen is better

[Cerilis]

How is the pen mightier than the sword?

The saying (in the title) is bullshit. Words can hurt very well.

[Deleted]

Because a picture is worth a thousand words duh

[Anastacy]

Because being "mightier" doesn't necessarily mean hurting anyone.

[GennGreymane]

Because being "mightier" doesn't necessarily mean hurting anyone.

But a pen in the wrong hands can order the death of thousands. An order is also just words.

[OperationFerret]

You can draw a sword with a pen therefore pens > swords

[Independent voter]

But a pen in the wrong hands can order the death of thousands. An order is also just words.

The sword is penultimate. You can order a 1,000 deaths with a pen but the sword is what does the killing. You can have all the money in the world but if you don't defend yourself with swords someone with swords will take your wealth.

[Anastacy]

But a pen in the wrong hands can order the death of thousands. An order is also just words.

The "sticks and stones" saying is about breaking someone's spirit, and originally was "names" instead of "words".

"Physical things can hurt me, but your insults will never bother me".

Whereas your "pen example" is strictly about physical hurting.

[GennGreymane]

The sword is penultimate. You can order a 1,000 deaths with a pen but the sword is what does the killing. You can have all the money in the world but if you don't defend yourself with swords someone with swords will take your wealth.

then the sword is inert. An oath to kill is simply words.

- - - Updated - - -

The "sticks and stones" saying is about breaking someone's spirit, and originally was "names" instead of "words".

"Physical things can hurt me, but your insults will never bother me".

Whereas your "pen example" is strictly about physical hurting.

a pen in the wrong hands can also order the dehumanization, torture, and destruction of entire communities. Do these words not break spirit?

[Yxiomel]

To quote Randall Munroe, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can make me think I deserved it".

[Cosmic Janitor]

How is the pen mightier than the sword?

Because the pen has the ability to sway a lot of people with swords.

[Independent voter]

then the sword is inert. An oath to kill is simply words.

Seems we have a language problem then, swords and pens are nothing without people. Swords and soldiers or police are synonymous. Pens, politicians and intellectuals, likewise.

A man with a knife an greed his only motive is a sword.

[GennGreymane]

Because the pen has the ability to sway a lot of people with swords.

Do they always need swords? Many times the ones with the swords comply without fear to the one who gives orders.

- - - Updated - - -

Seems we have a language problem then, swords and pens are nothing without people. Swords and soldiers or police are synonymous. Pens, politicians and intellectuals, likewise.

A man with a knife an greed his only motive is a sword.

the idea behind the pen is mightier than the sword IMO is that the swords do nothing with out an order

[Cosmic Janitor]

Do they always need swords? Many times the ones with the swords comply without fear to the one who gives orders.

The idea of the one idiom is that the written word has far greater reach than a single sword. The idea of the other is that calling someone names might hurt that person's feelings, but it certainly won't damage the person physically or kill them on the spot. Put the joint away gen, Gilneas needs you sober.

[Cyberowl]

Did you never see the Red Wedding episode?

[Independent voter]

the idea behind the pen is mightier than the sword IMO is that the swords do nothing with out an order

The most dangerous thing is a sword in control. Or out of control depending on which side you are on.

[Lartok]

But a pen in the wrong hands can order the death of thousands. An order is also just words.

A "stone" could kill billions, if it was large enough and hit the planet really hard.

[GennGreymane]

The idea of the one idiom is that the written word has far greater reach than a single sword. The idea of the other is that calling someone names might hurt that person's feelings, but it certainly won't damage the person physically or kill them on the spot. Put the joint away gen, Gilneas needs you sober.

What is a name but a label? Label thousands and have them dehumanized and worse.

- - - Updated - - -

A "stone" could kill billions, if it was large enough and hit the planet really hard.

physics can indeed kill

[Grimbold21]

But a pen in the wrong hands can order the death of thousands. An order is also just words.

An order of the kind you're addressing translates into action.

- - - Updated - - -

The saying (in the title) is bullshit. Words can hurt very well.

If you choose to let them hurt you.