The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword

It is a common misconception that the sword, or any form of violence, may solve problems, or that the sword may be used to end a dispute. The sword is only mighty in that it destroys, maims, kills, and incites fear. It is in such a manner that the sword manages to solve problems and disputes; only after causing death and destruction. There is one weapon whose strength and power is far greater than that of the sword - that of a pen. Through use of the pen, Hitler wrote speeches and his Mein Kemp, thus was able to spread his ideas and words; through the pen Communists were able to distribute their ideas and plans; Popes, saints, and apologists were able to conquer and destroy heresy through use of the pen; modern day media spread lies and falsity through use of the pen. So much was accomplished, and still is, though the use of the pen. The pen holds such strong power because the words written may produce an effect or influence a person to a great extent. A person in the state of confusion and without knowledge of Truth may read the works of Communist leaders, long after the writers themselves have become deceased, and not only embrace Communism, but become a Communist leader themselves. A person may read the works of a great saint or person near sainthood, and become inspired not just to do good and follow the example laid for them, but to correct the errors in the world in the name of Christ and possibly become a saint themselves. So many results may stem from the works written by a pen. No sword has ever or could possibly produce the same effects. Truth may be spread and promoted, lies and chaos conquered, all through a few simple strokes of a pen.

Lord of the Rings and Everyday Life

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s popular series, The Lord of the Rings, a young hobbit named Frodo comes into possession of a powerful ring which he must destroy by throwing it into the fires of Mount Doom. As he proceeds towards the volcano, the ring’s evil power tries to overcome Frodo and persuade him to accept what it offers. He nearly does so in some cases, and caves in near the end of the tale, but through the aid of his friend the ring becomes destroyed. Even after its destruction, the ring has lingering effects upon Frodo.

While this work is pure fiction, it bears some semblance to everyday life as well. Each of us is a Frodo, and our ring is sin. We come into possession of sin though Original Sin, which we rid ourselves of at Baptism. But we still possess this sin’s lingering effects. We are drawn to or give into temptation at times, stumbling along occasionally as Frodo stumbled along with the ring. We resist temptation and sin at times, as Frodo resisted the power of the ring. As Frodo neared the volcano, the weight of the ring grew heavier and its power grw stronger. As we fall more and more into sin, lessening our inclination to avoid sin, the weight of sin and its effects upon our soul become heavier for us.

When we fall into mortal sin, we, like Frodo, have slipped on the evil and accepted what it has to offer, and don’t always wish to relinquish it. Like Frodo, though, we can destroy the sin, not by the fires of some volcano named Mount Doom, but through the sacraments, particularly Confession, prayer, and grace. We may still have the effects of sin upon us, as Frodo did with the ring, but we have the desire to do good rather than evil. Frodo didn’t give up his quest to destroy the ring, not should we give up our quest for knowledge of the Truth and the our conquest to overcome sin and Satan.