Not Words, But Deeds

“Words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”

People always say, “Not words, but deeds.” Don’t say, show it. We always hear people saying that actions speak louder than words. Almost everybody professes that deeds stand more significant as compared to words. I came across a debate the other day, with many people claiming that words don’t mean a thing, so I found it important to be highlighted that words have their own significance, that which even actions do not have.

Just think about it, our great poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, used the power of words to awaken a nation deep into sleep. Did he physically do anything? No. But he had a stronger weapon, the bludgeon of words. When all methods fail, words remain. Hitler used words to overcome an entire nation; through orders, through commands he killed 6,000,000 people! He lied, but did he physically punch anyone to achieve these goals? Did he physically do anything? No, he used words.

We can not deny that people are influenced daily through the supremacy of words. They cannot only make us THINK, but they can change the way we actually live our lives. Words can allow someone to take over our minds completely, while actions can only force us to do something out of fear.

We all are aware, that talk is absolutely necessary in a free society. No wonder, democracy itself emphasizes on freedom of speech and freedom of thought.

As I tend to live with the notion that the pen is mightier than the sword… I would like to know, that why would military dictatorships control speech? The answer is very simple. Its because they know that ideas can be infectious and lead people to take action. So I have to say, that words can spur others into action. The ability to talk the talk and walk the walk, may not be present in all, but therein lies the influence of words that can leave an impact which actions can not. People would claim that talking without action is pointless. But, to be honest, its the talk, the words, the ideas of great leaders that compel and motivate others to take that particular action.

When you have warring factions that are killing people, how do they come to an agreement to stop the killing? How do they terminate the reign of terror and walk towards peace? The answer is of course this, “they enter into talks!” At that time, even a small action  can spark the armies further towards oblivion and destruction. Words, treaties led to peace. We have lived these moments, who can know that better than us humans. We saw what happened in WW1. A small action, a murder of an Austrian prince, 1 bullet in his neck, changed the course of history. Had those hostilities been settled with words, we would never have seen the world wars occur, we could have prevented the devastation.

Since childhood we have been  hearing from our teachers, not to fight but settle our arguments by talking, by the use of  words, not action. Why? Because words have significance. So you see, talking is more powerful than action, because only once people can agree to disagree and find a happy medium, to end hostilities.

Here's another thought on this argument. As many people would also claim, people use words to make promises, and break them. The best quoted examples are of politicians. People hate them for not keeping to their words. In that regard, the issue is definitely NOT that the talk is cheap. It is NOT that words are insignificant. The issue is that they failed to act upon their oaths.

I certainly do not say that actions are worthless… but I reiterate on the fact that words compel us to take actions.  I do not say one should not prove his words through actions, but I restate that words have meaning. Actions are important, but so are words. They are not to be neglected. They are the swords of justice. The right of every man. The centre of communication. The freedom of heart and soul. When a word is spoken, its not just a word. An irreversible, irreplaceable vision is created.

At the end, I leave everyone, a question to ponder over. If deeds tend to be more noteworthy than words, if words are of no importance, then why do we try to convince people by our thoughts, voicing our opinion by a mere use of words, and NOT by action? It is simply a truth that we need to accept.