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currentlychewing

- 11 months ago

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When do "words" become more powerful than "action" ?

We all know the saying :

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

Is this actually true? Are "sticks and stones" more powerful than words?
When does this change, or is one always stronger than the other?

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I think in the question you refer "words" as referring to "message". Actions are always stronger than words. Hitler's n**i propaganda was a message, but no one cared. Actually killing millions made his message clearer.

"name calling" isn't really a message and most "bullies" won't fight/rob/mug you if you have the right attitude. Haters are gonna hate.

pretty much +1 to what @axxman said (where do live where you get hit by rocks so much being a writer?)

The bible says things like "The power of death and life are in the tongue" and that your tongue is like a small spark that sets huge forest fires. So yeah, words are powerful. The pen is mightier than the sword.

Sticks and stones don't determine your outspokenness or your decisions in life. If you're an impressionable person, words can really shape your whole life be it positively or negatively. Saying that, so can physical abuse depending on the severity. Though I personally feel that words give a lot deeper emotional impact than actual physical harm.
"Pen is mightier than the sword!"

As one who has faced emotional abuse as well as physical abuse, I do have to say that the emotional abuse was MUCH more difficult to overcome.

Then again, the emotional abuse forced me to learn how my thoughts, words, emotions, and feelings work together to create life as I know it. Now I know that I can choose to abuse myself by accepting the legitimacy of your words. I also know how to keep myself safe from those who would throw stones.

I'm a writer. Call me all the names you want to. Being hurt, being offended is a choice.

I can't tell you how many times I've been called names but I remember being hit by rocks three times in my life.

That saying refers to a state of mind. Stupid people lead with their mouth so let their words roll off you. A rock in the side of the head always hurts.

When you use them for beauty

All of the praise for the written word not withstanding, most posters here seem to be talking more about the power if ideas rather than the power of words. To answer your question in the context I believe you asked it, words begin to approach the power of sticks and stones to cause harm when a person allows another's opinion of them to define their own opinion of their self..

When they are written down they can be cherished by many. There's no doubt Jane Austen has impacted my mother's life. Even just a sentence or a poem can alter lives!

Words can make someone more happy than actions. Example, a wife might feel great to hear '' i love u'' from her husband rather than watching him working for her all day and spending sometime with her. Without that word she might feel suspicious. I think so.

Words are interesting things. Philosophy essentially boils down to the study of words.

Words are actions.

I think two of the most blatant examples of the power of words exist in the Bible and the Qu'ran .

If it wasn't so sad, I'd be fascinated how two collections of words that seem to have a foundation of peace and love could have possiblly inspired The Spanish Inquistion, The Crusades, 9/11...

While the resulting actions were devastating; they were inspired by words and how the heck can anyone misunderstand "Love they neighbour" with blow the sh*t out of them?

In a way though, it's not really fair to blame the words themselves as much as it might make more sense to consider the people who chose the interpret them in ways that were self serving tools to support their own agendas. That includes both speakers and listeners.

"Talk, talking a lot, but it's still talk
Gotta love how it's somehow all on me
All the petty scenes
And all the pretty things
Say whatever you want
'Cause I can laugh it off." Let It Happen by Jimmy Eat World

"The pen is mightier than the sword"-Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Words are extremely powerful. They are especially powerful when spoken, with emphasis and inflection added to drive home a point. Look at the influences of two men (one good, one evil) in the last century- MLK and Hitler. Both gave speeches that inspired their followers. Words give meaning, but also a certain conotation. One word can be descriptive in one instance, and an insult in the next. And anyone who has experienced emotional abuse will tell you how deep words can cut.

“Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.” — Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II

can't say the same for sticks or stones ;-)

currentlychewing

When do "words" become more powerful than "action" ?

FR0ST

SkypilotRbc

The bible says things like "The power of death and life are in the tongue" and that your tongue is like a small spark that sets huge forest fires. So yeah, words are powerful. The pen is mightier than the sword.

JosephStevenson

4PEACE

Axxman300

MayanPriest

When you use them for beauty

zuul

vickiijanee

When they are written down they can be cherished by many. There's no doubt Jane Austen has impacted my mother's life. Even just a sentence or a poem can alter lives!

Farawaylover

Words can make someone more happy than actions. Example, a wife might feel great to hear '' i love u'' from her husband rather than watching him working for her all day and spending sometime with her. Without that word she might feel suspicious. I think so.

idx

Words are interesting things. Philosophy essentially boils down to the study of words.

anotherdeadhero

Words are actions.

spitfire3d

TickTockBang

"Talk, talking a lot, but it's still talk
Gotta love how it's somehow all on me
All the petty scenes
And all the pretty things
Say whatever you want
'Cause I can laugh it off." Let It Happen by Jimmy Eat World

jerzychris

melb2

“Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.” — Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II

can't say the same for sticks or stones ;-)

SoulPancake

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When do "words" become more powerful than "action" ?

The bible says things like "The power of death and life are in the tongue" and that your tongue is like a small spark that sets huge forest fires. So yeah, words are powerful. The pen is mightier than the sword.

When you use them for beauty

When they are written down they can be cherished by many. There's no doubt Jane Austen has impacted my mother's life. Even just a sentence or a poem can alter lives!

Words can make someone more happy than actions. Example, a wife might feel great to hear '' i love u'' from her husband rather than watching him working for her all day and spending sometime with her. Without that word she might feel suspicious. I think so.

Words are interesting things. Philosophy essentially boils down to the study of words.

Words are actions.

"Talk, talking a lot, but it's still talkGotta love how it's somehow all on meAll the petty scenesAnd all the pretty thingsSay whatever you want'Cause I can laugh it off." Let It Happen by Jimmy Eat World

“Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.” — Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part IIcan't say the same for sticks or stones ;-)

SoulPancake

hand–crafted in Atwater Village

About SoulPancake

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Networks

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"Talk, talking a lot, but it's still talk
Gotta love how it's somehow all on me
All the petty scenes
And all the pretty things
Say whatever you want
'Cause I can laugh it off." Let It Happen by Jimmy Eat World

“Words are, in my not so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic, capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.” — Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part II

can't say the same for sticks or stones ;-)