Remarkable is it not, the nature of words?
"I keep silent, because words have power. Because in the act of speaking, i change the balance. What is seen changes because it has been seen, and if i speak of the change, it changes again. I see only what might be, and what might be might also be changed, even by so small a thing as a word."
- "Camelot's Honour" by Sarah Zettel.
Words have the strangest power.
They can hurt, such that the wound of the heart will never recover. They can destroy, such that the human's spirit will know only despair and hopelessness. They can create a war, such that between friends or lovers, peace will never be made.
But yet... They can heal, such that even the weak take heart and become lions. They can create paradise, such that the wounded momentarily forget their physical pain and are transported to a land of their dreams and imagination. They can create intelligence, such that a glimmer of understanding shines in the eyes. They can give birth to ideals, such that a man will fight for what he believes in.
Words are strange things.
They can mean much, and yet we are given the power to use them as we see fit. Will we become another Hitler, and lead people to glory but yet eventual destruction? Or will we become another Churchill, and inspire the human's spirit to persevere? Will we create a rift that is so huge, so as to forever not have a peace of mind? Or will we breach that rift with a single word, "sorry", and then can die in peace?
"Whats in a name? That which we call a rose,
By any other name, will smell just as sweet."
- "Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare.
"I should have known a man who understands silence so well would have to understand words as well"
- "Camelot's Honour" by Sarah Zettel.
But yet... Words can mean little, for its the understanding and actions that count. All the words count for nothing, if the actions do not follow. So what if people speak of others so hurtfully that we would have thought a plague has besought them? Or so blissfully that we would have thought they were in heaven? To understand the truth would cut across such words, and open your eyes to the truth, accepting it in your heart.
Words are truly strange.
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The point of this entire post? To remind us of the power we wield when we speak. To remind us to understand others. The Madi Gras parade is held today in Sydney and i truly hope that people would understand each other more. Does it really matter if one is gay? He/She is but a human, and has every right in this world as every one of us. As quoted above, "Whats in a name?" A name does not make a person any less human, nor any less of a man/woman.
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6 comments:
fwah! ur entry full of "words"...philosophy...so philosophical...
human rights...2 simple words which have deep meanings when put together.
gay or straight, man or woman...is an endless debate on their place in the society...
life goes on...
-flowerger-
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Words have power.
Though I usually focus on human wrongs instead of rights. I find that term to be misleading and abused these days.
@flowerger: blame this 'philosopical' post on 'Camelot's Honour'. i like the way the author wrote the book. :D
but yeah, guess the debate will never end. however, one can always dream of an ideal society. :p
@green ogre: i think nowadays people tend to have a misconception abt certain terms. for example, Abraham Lincoln once said (i think >.<) that the freedom of speech is the right to remain silent.
focusing on human wrongs is an interesting notion. but then again, 'right' and 'wrong' is relative to one's perception, is it not? :)
"it's only words... and words are all I have... to take your breath away...." (sing along ppl) lalalala lalalalalalala
@pinkys: (-.-) *speechless*
I mean the mistakes of humanity from which we still do not seem to have learnt from. That is what I mean by "wrongs".
By "rights", I mean the feeling of entitlement or the feeling that certain ways of treatment or customs of people and things on their place in society. Society is not something natural. An artful contrivance. And so there is nothing natural about most "human rights."
A sense of balance and justice is the only temperance, and who truly can judge one man's standards against another? As you have rightly noted. Though it must be said that life would be awfully boring with only absolutes. Hmmm... Thinking of Absolut Vodka now.
I think the word "rights" is a misnomer. It is only a privilege given to those who fight for and justify it. Not something to be taken lightly. You want free speech? Fight and contest for it. And don't waste it on saying silly things for goodness' sake.
There are gay bars and clubs in Singapore now. And whether discreetly, grudingly or in another other manner, they have been accepted and are operating profitably. Why? Because the gays are an economic force. Execs, creative types and others with money. From that, there is a social strength. The PAP did not permit them because it believes in gay rights. Hell, sodomy is still a criminal offence in our courts.
Sorry for the over-long and misguided rambling. I tend to be long winded. And I realised i've forgotten to tell you that this was a nice thought provoking post. Nice.
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