Sticks And Stones

pthasse • 65 followers

I'm sure you've all heard the saying: 'sticks and stones may break my bones but words won't do a thing to me (wont harm me).' Well I find myself wondering if that's true...

Words are a medium of an idea (or ideas) and history tells of many words that have caused harm. For example Crusade, Jihad, Faggot, Paki, etc. These words like the words of this blog, and other words not mentioned, convey an idea which sometimes drives action; and in the case of those words mentioned they DO cause harm.

But perhaps the point of that saying is to prevent harsh words from bothering the recipient but wouldn't it make more sense for people to understand the power of their words. Perhaps the saying should be 'sticks and stones can break my bones and words may also harm me.'

That said I might have the wrong end of the stick, so to speak. However, I am certain that our leaders are very aware of the power of words. Words can make or break nations. One of my favourite authors comes to mind: Terry Pratchett, specifically Wyrd Sisters. Where the fool explains the power of words and how it can be used to make people turn against the witches. At least that's how I remember it.

At the risk of repeating myself I conclude that words can in fact cause harm, what do you think?

#communication #cultural-critique #general #language-power #philosophy #social-commentary

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Comments & Feedback (15)

sjw

Nov 13, 2012 at 6:03 PM

I agree I think words are very powerful, we know that fear is used to control people and mostly this fear is created by mainly the words of our governments etc also mental abuse can be far more damaging than physical abuse IMO 😊

Janflower

Nov 13, 2012 at 6:23 PM

Yes, words can definitely cause harm!!

blindsilence

Nov 13, 2012 at 6:38 PM

Words on there own are meaningless. It's the person behind the words that give them meaning. A word can not be evil, racist or hurtfull.

pthasse

Nov 13, 2012 at 7:18 PM

@sjw That's exactly my point! While sticks and stones affect on the outside, words have their effect on the inside. That said their effect can also be good, for example, thanks for your RP 😄

pthasse

Nov 13, 2012 at 7:19 PM

@Janflower Right on! Some words can cut real deep.

eddie12309

Nov 13, 2012 at 7:28 PM

Words are not evil in themselves. It's the interpretation of words, the history of the word and the person speaking the word. One of the words you have used which is now a derogatory term for a person of an ethnic minority used to be quite common place many many moons ago, like Afghani etc.

pthasse

Nov 13, 2012 at 7:30 PM

@blindsilence We use words to communicate with others and many times we are aiming to convey an idea, description, etc. and the impact of some words can be hurtful. Granted that the word itself isn't necessarily evil but the meaning or idea behind some words can be. That said, a broad statement that all words are meaningless isn't true; existence, human, red, be... Consider the word pi, which represents the idea of a numerical value and phonetic sound of the Greek alphabet. It'll probably be more accurate to say that some words may have other meanings, which can have a different impact depending on how they are used.

pthasse

Nov 13, 2012 at 7:34 PM

@eddie12309 I agree. Another example is bushman. Meanings can morph with culture and it is these meanings and ideas that those words carry when they are used that matter. Also thanks for your RP much appreciated

sjw

Nov 13, 2012 at 7:40 PM

@blindsilence I disagree slightly because words can be recieved as being hurtful if they for ex hit someone's Achilles heel even tho the person that has spoken the words may not have meant them as hurtful (lol I hope that makes sense) 😳