The pen is mightier than the sword. This is a saying that means that writing and speaking are more effective than physical fighting. It’s more commonly used as a metaphor for nonviolent resistance, such as in Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

In his letter, he writes, “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”

The phrase was first popularized by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his play Richelieu; Or The Conspiracy (1839): “The pen is mightier than the sword.”

In recent years, there have been several examples of people using their words to fight back against injustice rather than resorting to violence or even just standing by.

Last modified: September 19, 2022