These words ring true more than ever today. These words were first written by the novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in “Cardinal Richelieu”, the historical play he wrote in 1839.
According to Alison Gee of BBC News, there were previous writers who have expressed the same thought earlier, like Robert Burton, in the early 17th century when he penned an “old” saying that “a blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword”. Two others were George Whetstone in 1582, who wrote words translated in modern English as “the dash of a pen is more grievous than the counter use of a lance”. One could even go further back to the Greek poet Euripides in 406 B.C. who opined that “the tongue is mightier than the blade”, although some academicians are doubtful about this.
The famous (or infamous) Napoleon is quoted as saying — “Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than 1,000 bayonets”. A professor of Western European history at Oxford University, Michael Broers, says that Napoleon “realized that he could undermine his allies who defeated him through his memoirs and he did”.
Does this remind you of the war of words going on between the Western powers- that- be and the ones with opposing views? It puts to a test one’s own ability to think independently and learn to discern what is true or not. That is what comes to mind with me everytime I read a particular headline or heading in the printed or digital media, television included.
There was a time that I would never doubt what BBC, or CNN, or DW (Deutsch Welle) and all the other Western traditional media would say or write. I would take it all- lock, stock and barrel. Not anymore. Nowadays, I am circumspect, to say the least, of what they have to say from the onset (except for Alison Gee of BBC News when she/he wrote about the power of words. BBC would certainly be an expert). Not that all of the components of their narrative are not true but that I have discovered a different side to the story. Yes, thanks to the internet. This is not to say that there is not a plethora of outrageous views expressed out in the net. Or that there is also a treasure trove of great and helpful ideas that one can benefit from.
This is one time when one’s ability to discern what is beneficial and a universal truth (what is true and truth are not quite the same) is tried and tested. I often ask myself, “at the very least, does it or does he/she make sense?” For me, this is a good enough starting point. After which, I do my own research and vetting.
This is akin to my discovery (wish it was sooner) that there were different historians and authors of Philippine history with slightly differing views or emphasis.
Case in point – When the French philosopher Rene Descartes concluded that “Cogito, ergo sum” or in English “I think, therefore I am”, did it ever occur to anyone that the reverse could also be true – “I am, therefore I think”? Or that would be the underlying universal truth instead? Something to ponder about, don’t you think? Don’t just dismiss it. Keep an open mind and think it through.
I wonder what the scenario was when a few of the ancient Greeks first figured out that the earth was a sphere, and voiced it out. There must have been an uproar. What blasphemy! How crazy! How can the world not be flat?
How can that be, indeed. “Sabi nga ng Toronto Star” in one of their print ads – “It is what it is, until it isn’t.” I still have the clipping for that ad of a year or two ago tacked on my bulletin board behind my desk, to remind me to keep my mind open, and if need be, which is inevitable, to move forward and change.
SPEAKING OF CHANGE, GOOD NEWS FOR C-DRAMA FANS
I am elated and calmed at the same time, to find out that there are now a slew of excellent Chinese dramas posted on YT. Especially the costume dramas. Perfect for binge-watching. Or just take one episode at a time. (“Mabuti nga” they have lessened the number of episodes in their drama series already.) Highly entertaining and takes your mind off the crazy things happening around the world. I believe that some of them are current. Off hand, I would say that you can’t go wrong If you see the names Tencent, We TV, IQIYI, Hu-Ace, Youku backing them up. Here are some I am currently watching (episode by episode) and recommend:
A League of Nobleman
The Legend of Zhuohua
Wrong Carriage, Right Groom
The Legend of Anle
There are more, for sure, but for now, these are what I can shout out about.
Glad to see that the globally popular American streaming site has a growing library of Japanese content. Hopefully, NHK will relent and agree to have their “taiga” dramas available on this American site. They are of top quality, in all aspects. I also wish they had more of the Korean dramas that are superbly made. The top film makers in Asia are masters of entertainment for the audiences with Asian sense and sensibility. No wonder they garner billions of views and counting.
A RESOUNDING CONGRATULATIONS TO SERBIAN TENNIS PLAYER NOVAK DJOKOVIC ON HIS 24TH GRAND SLAM WIN IN THE RECENT U.S. OPEN !!!
BELATED BIRTHDAY GREETINGS TO ERIK ROTH MONTENEGRO LAST SEPT 11.
AND A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TANYA TAYLOR OF AMERICAN EXPRESS, AND BEFORE THAT, OF AIR FRANCE.
Mabuhay to all!
Tessie O. Taylor