As the appetite increases, food tastes better.

The proverb first appeared in Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote, published in 1615 (in Part II, Chapter V)

Parents often say this to their children when they are fussy eaters.

In this proverb, the sword signifies force and violence, and the pen stands for words. While the sword can conquer with force, the pen can persuade, inspire, enlighten and motivate people. Not everyone has weapons to force other people to do what they want, but everyone has the power to influence the world through what they think, say and write with words.

Part of the reason this proverb is true is that words often motivate and regulate how people use violence and force. For example, through law, the words of leaders, judges and juries have the power to jail people or even kill them. Making a fiery speech to an angry mob might cause a violent riot (see Julius Caesar). 

The proverb also reminds us of the power of nonviolent resistance to bring about lasting political change, a principle advocated and demonstrated by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela. (Check out Henry David Thoreau's classic Essay, "Civil Disobedience" and Sophocles famous play, "Antigone")

The phrase "the pen is mightier than the sword" became popular after Edward Bulwer-Lytton used it in his 1839 play "Richelieu: Or the Conspiracy" (page 47).  But the idea likely originated much earlier.

Some sources attribute the proverb to the Story of Ahikar (which is also the source of the proverb "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"). In this edition, the translator was unable to decipher the damaged manuscript and left the sentence unfinished. (Page 171/274) 

Could this be the original source of the proverb from over 2500 years ago? You be the judge...

A similar phrase also appears in the Old Testament: 

And in Shakespeare:

Do you agree that the pen is mightier than the sword? Share your opinions below!

Ustawi wa kiuchumi huenea na huwafikia raia wote wa nchi au eneo. Nchi haiwezi kufaidika bila raia wake wote kufaidika kwa namna moja au nyingine, kama vile baharini, maji yakijaa boti zote zitapanda, wimbi linalokuja litainua boti zote ziwe mitumbwi, jahazi, meli au mashua.

Msemo huo hutumiwa kumaanisha makundi yote yalinufaika kutokana na mabadiliko ya hali, hasa utitiri wa rasilimali, hata kama inaonekana kama zinawafikia matajiri wachache pekee. Nimesikia wafanyakazi wakiona wenzao wamepokea bonasi au kamisheni kubwa wanasema, "A rising tide lists all boats," ikimaanisha mauzo yakipanda, mapato ya kampuni yataongezeka na fursa kwa kampuni, na kwa hivyo, kwa wafanyikazi wote pia. Katika kesi hii, ni wazi wimbi halizinui boti zote kwa usawa au kiasi kilekile.

Wakosoaji wa methali hii wanaweza kulalamika kwamba methali hii inatumika pia ili kuhalalisha mpango au makubaliano yoyote hata kama yatawanufaisha wachache tu. Lakini kwa kawaida msemo huo husemwa  na viongozi kwa matumaini au kama pongezi.

Methali hiyo mara nyingi huhusishwa na John F. Kennedy rais wa Marekani, ambaye aliiitumia katika hotuba yake, mwaka wa 1963 akijitetea baada ya baada ya kukosolewa juu ya ujenzi wa bwawa ulitumia pesa nyingi sana (matumizi ya fujo). Mwandishi wa hotuba za Kennedy (aliyeitwa Ted Sorensen) alifichua kwamba Rais Kennedy alitumia methali hii baada ya kuisoma katika jarida la "New England Council."

Msemo karibu na huu ni "to grow the pie" yaani "kukuza keki" ambayo inamaanisha, kama keki ni kubwa zaidi, washiriki wote watapata keki zaidi hata kama uwiano/asilimia haibadiliki.

Je, unakubali kwamba ustawi mpana wa kiuchumi huwafikia wote?

Kila kazi kubwa katika maisha huhitaji kufanyika kwa hatua ndogo, siku baada ya siku. 

Je, unajua methali zingine zinazofanana na hii au zinazotoa dhana hiyohiyo? 

Msemo huu unakumbusha shairi liitwalo "Vitu Vidogo" na Julia Abigail Fletcher Carney: 

Julia Carney alitunga shairi hili mwaka wa 1845 darasani akiwa mwanafunzi darasani -- na alipewa dakika 10 tu kuliandika!