MANILA, Philippines - Is the pen really mightier than the
sword? Edward Bulwer-Lytto thought so.
Pens are used to write words while swords are used as a weapon to apparently
hurt people. So, do we still agree that the latter is less powerful than the
former? In my case, I do agree. Words do not just hurt people, they also change
lives, whether for the better or worse, they have the potential change someone’s
life forever.
Words, what are they? And where
did they come from? According to the dictionary, a word is a unit of language,
consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation that
functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Linguists believe that words are
universal, that no matter how we had contrarily evolved into another set human
beings, we would definitely learn how to use words, but probably in a different
manner that they might have cultivated into.
Words are therefore simple. But I think words are more than words. They
are very powerful, yet we unconsciously do not realize how robust and
controlling they are. Words are the greatest innovation man has ever developed. They can inspire, influence, destroy and even
build whatsoever. They move mountains, travel around the world in as fast as 1
second, and even kill people. Still don’t
agree?
There have been a lot of
instances that people changed the world because of words. Whether written or
spoken, they just mean a lot. A lot of wars were started by an exchange of
words. A lot of friendships were destroyed by words. A lot of lovers were
separated by words. Whether we like it or not, words will always be a factor, if
not the main reason, that destroys good relationships. But are words really
that bad? Not really. Words give us hope, life and inspiration. Let’s use Japan
In my 21 years of existence in
this world, I must say words have never been my best friend. In other words, I
am having a hard time using them. They sometimes agree with me, and most of the
time, they betray me. It is always hard to find the perfect words that I really
want to express. It’s so frustrating. I always have that “it’s on the tip of my
tongue” moment. A single word can make a big difference and once we said them,
we can never get them back.
I remember a point in my life
when I had the chance to be part of the top section in our elementary school. I
was a third grader. I was in the second section but I was doing great. In fact,
I was doing so great that the school supervisor even heard about my
performance, so one day, she visited me. It was the middle of the school year;
I saw her talking with my adviser when they called me up. Then she said the
magic words, “Do you want to be transferred to the first section?” It was too
fast that I didn’t even have the chance to breathe. The pressure was on me.
They were waiting for my answer. My head shouted “Of course! I want to be in
Section 1.” But my mouth betrayed me and said, “No, Ma’am.” That very instant
changed my life. From that moment on, they never put me in the first section
even though I was the top pupil in Section 2 class. If I had said “Yes” that
day, I could have had exclusive teaching advantage in school. I could have been
the Valedictorian, well not really, but at least I would have gotten higher
grades.
My story is a good example of
how powerful a single word can be. Once executed, we can never take them back. It’s
either they pick up us, or pull us down. The words we speak or write have a different
upshot on the individuals they get to. And from there, everything can change
permanently.
