Pens or swords...

The main problem with limiting it to a single household is it's hard to argue the actual meaning of the phrase. But, I'll try, although I'll have to be abstract -but I think that's how it's meant to be anyway. If the pen represents words, encouragement, and rallying people together and the sword represents violence, than the pen is mightier. In a household you can use the sword (violence, abuse) and tear someone down. Anyone who does that may be physically powerful, but inside? Where it counts? They're weak and small. Using the pen(words of encouragement, comfort, praise, harmony, and togetherness) shows a person powerful in moral fiber. And, that allows the others in the family to feel strong as well and teach them real strength and power -of being a good person. And those feelings and lessons can be passed on for generations. So the power can go on and on.

In our house it is usually a sword. Little things get blown out of size easily.

The Pen is mightier because you can keep a dialogue going and it keep everyone on the same level playing field. How ever for the pen to win you must have the means (sword) to enforce you point of view once you acheive success. I can win an argument with my children but if I can't enforce the agreement.

they are both useful in some situations but in the real world, the pen cant do anything much. you could discredit somebody too much but thats basically it. The one that coined that phrase or term didnt reflect what he said about the pen being mightier than the sword.

sorry but I can't understand it I would like to join your discussion but I can't understand it, well I am not really good in English I do know how to write a little.