Pen Is Mightier than The Sword. You can find Previous Year Argumentative Essay Topics asked in ICSE board exams.
Argumentative Essay Topic – Pen Is Mightier than The Sword
Introduction:
The power of a pen ruled by the mind, is mightier, than a sword, ruled by the muscle.
- The noble ideas and thoughts penned by great revolutionaries led to big revolutions.
- The pen influences the mind and brings permanent transformation, while the effect of force is temporary. Example: Emperor Ashoka
- The writings of sages have a profound influence on our life like the Ramayana and Gita.
- The changes brought about by the pen are humane and noble, eliciting love, affection, peace.
- That by the sword lead to hatred, animosity and more violence.
Conclusion:
The pen rules the mind and heart of the people, and is therefore mightier than the sword.
“Power flows from the barrel of a gun”. People who believed in the above dictum have been thrown into oblivion. This is for the power of a pen ruled by the mind, is far mightier, than a sword, ruled by the muscle. The sword may conquer the body, but it can never conquer the heart and mind of the person. The sword may elicit fear and compliance which is short-lived, but the pen influences the mind and its effect is everlasting.
The noble ideas and thoughts penned by great revolutionaries led to big revolutions. The fiery slogans of liberty, equality and fraternity’ put forth by Rousseau and Voltaire ignited the French Revolution. Similarly, Das Kapital authored by Karl Marx, fired the imagination of millions suffering exploitation under autocratic rule. This led to the communist revolution, which swept across Asia and Europe.
The revolutionary thoughts expressed by writers in their books, continue to influence our lives even today. Their writings moulded history, and are more resounding than all military victories. Thus while we remember them with respect and awe, great conquerors like Napoleon, Taimur and Hitler are hated and forgotten. Closer to home words penned by Mahatma Gandhi awakened the Indian masses from age-old slumber, to fight for independence.
By influencing the mind one can bring about a permanent transformation, while the use of force can only subdue the opponent temporarily. The Great Emperor Ashoka realised this after the long and arduous battle of Kalinga. Moved by the teachings of the Buddha, he renounced violence and set forth spreading his message of love and compassion. He achieved greater glory and fame by winning the hearts of the people, spreading his empire in Asia.
Besides works of great revolutionaries, the writings of sages and religious leaders have a profound influence on our life. Great epics like the Ramayana and Gita written by Valmiki and Vedvyas inspire us, and shall continue to inspire generations till eternity. The stoicisms and noble behaviours of lord Rama and Aijuna, would have faded from the memory, had they not been immortalised by them.
The pen is mightier than the sword for it has changed the course of history, leaving an indelible impression on mankind. The changes brought about by it are humane and noble, eliciting love, affection, peace and tranquility. While change brought about by the use of the sword brings with it negative feelings of animosity, anger and hatred.
It is because of this that John Milton said, “Who kills a man, kills a reasonable creature. God’s image, but he who destroys a good book, kills reason itself, kills the image of God as it were in the eye.” Indeed the power of the pen of great writers is an image of God. They rule the minds and hearts of the people, and are mightier than the sword.
Assignment
“Power flows from the barrel of gun.” Give your views for or against the statement.