The Power of Words

At the end of World War II the Allies Powers sent a message to the Japanese demanding surrender. The Japanese responded with the word mokusatsu, which translates as either "to ignore" or "to withhold comment". The Japanese meant that they wished to withhold comment, to discuss and then decide. The Allies translated mokusatsu as the Japanese deciding to ignore the demand for surrender. The Allies therefore ended the war by dropping the bomb and transforming the world we live in forever.

The effect that words can have is incredible: to inform, persuade, hurt or ease pain, end war or start one, kill thousands or even millions of people. They can get your point across, or destroy any hope of your ideas ever being understood. A major element of our existence is the words. The world was created by word. Word in itself is God who created us.

I remember my Godmother once told me that a word is even sharper than a sword or knife. She is a great believer of God and His words. Her purpose was to remind me of choosing the right words to say before uttering them otherwise I might get into trouble. Fortunately, it inculcated into my mind and became the basis of the words I have to say.