The truth of the proverb may not be realized at the first sight.Wars,revolutions & conquest of one country by another loom large in the history of the world.While a dictator or the commander of an army struts about in the limelight,a poet or a novelist, shut up in his humble study, seems to be a neglected figure.
Yet, on closer reflection, it will be found that the written word is more powerful than physical force.Ideas expressed in words can reach millions of hearts and move them to action.Shelley has said that poets are unacknowledged legislators of mankind.
It will be noticed that several revolutions and wars themselves have been the result of certain books and pamphlets.The writing of Rousseau and Voltaire kindled the flame of French Revolution, while Karl Marx's Das Capital paved the way for Russian Revolution.An important force behind the struggle for independence was our study of English literature which instilled into our minds love of freedom and democracy.
Some books have so powerfully attacked certain social evils that governments were compelled to abolish them.The novels of Dickens and H.C Wells and the plays of Bernard Shaw were responsible for several social reforms.Another example of the power of pen is the influence of newspapers in democratic countries.Long ago, Burke described the Press as the fourth estate.Governments, though supported by army and the police, have to be afraid of public opinion, and the public opinion is largely shaped by newspapers.
Empires founded on the military strength have disappeared, while masterpieces of literature likes the plays of Kalidasa and Shakespeare survive.Carlyle said that, if he were to choose between Shakespeare and Indian Empire, he would prefer Shakespeare. He was right, for the Indian Empire, the accomplishment of the sword, has vanished, while Shakespeare's plays the products of pen, have stood the test of time.
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