One must never underestimate the power of words. Yet, we must not fail to remember that words can either side with you or go against you. If used the wrong way, It can bring you down. No matter how correct and indestructible you think you are, keep this as a mental note: People won't always agree with you. They have their own insights, beliefs and may see things in completely opposite perspective. Real power comes with demonstration, not argumentation.
Our heroes would have never been heroes if all they used was language as their weapon. Presidents would never be able to lead their own countries into greatness if all they had were eloquent speeches. Words don't always convey the truth. Today, where lies and broken promises are made, words must be proven, lest they mean nothing.
Roman consul Mucianus wanted the biggest mast in order to attack the Greek town of Pergamus. He ordered an engineer to build this so that he could successfully carry out his plan. Instead,what he did instead the opposite. The consul's soldiers warned him against this idea but in his heart, he believed that he was the expert and knew what was best for the team. In his defense, he argued that bigger was not necessarily better. A smaller mast would be more effective and easier to transport. He believed in the illusion that what he had done was right and that he would be rewarded for his efforts.
WRONG!
The consul was in rage after hearing about this and called the engineer. Obviously, he did not know who he was messing with because again, he argued with the same reasons. However, his speech did not save him. The consul punished the engineer by stripping him in front of his soldiers, scourging him, and left him to die looking like a fool.
There is a misconception that the easiest fastest way to win a battle is to win with words. Although, before you know it, you'll be raising the white flag. Use your words to distract and to deceive while thinking about ways to bring your opponent down. Don't attack an enemy with just your mouth.
Krizia Javate
Hi18-K
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49 comments:
Really? But how come Jose Rizal was able to do it? Maybe it was because the Filipinos liked to think that we did everything non-violently but I'm sure there was a physical fight involved to make the Spaniards give up and set us free.
It'll be ideal to win everything based on words only, but that's not the case in the real world. If only non-violence was the only way, there would be so many Mahatma Gandhi's in this world, an ideal world.
Gianina R. Fortun
Hi18 - K
Winning over your opponent can't be based on words or actions alone. It should be a combination of both. True that action speaks louder than words, but I also agree with how Jose Rizal won over the Spaniards with the brilliance of his words. This just means that in whatever we do, we have to strive hard for the greater good of mankind, and cast aside the aim for title that we garner for winning over something.
"Actions speak louder than words." Sure that is true. But using words to beat your opponents is just as effective in beating one’s enemy as a true sword is when used appropriately.
Chua Rojas, Serica
HI18 - L
Jose Rizal did use much of his WORDS (Noli and El Fili) to fight against the Spaniards, but his writing itself and his act of secretly distributing his works are already ACTS which show that words and actions have, indeed, a connection.
So what if our national hero wrote masterpieces if the Filipinos weren't able to get a copy of his works? Then, he would have been the only one to appreciate his work. Also, the Filipinos would not have been motivated to go against the invaders. Rizal's words would have been just merely words.
Therefore, I agree that we need a combination of both words and actions in order to achieve what we want.
As the saying goes, "talk the talk, walk the walk."
Tom Manahan
Hi18 - K
In my opinion words should come first before action. Without words, how can a person's actions be understood? An example would be courting someone, if a guy starts with actions first, like taking her home, helping her with stuff etc. and yet he doesn't say that he plans on or is making "ligaw." It wouldn't be clear for the girl. She might not be thinking that he's courting her.
I think that words and actions go together. it can't be just words or just actions. i believe that actions prove the power of your words.
Clarice Manuel
Hi18 K
In my opinion words should come first before action. Without words, how can a person's actions be understood? An example would be courting someone, if a guy starts with actions first, like taking her home, helping her with stuff etc. and yet he doesn't say that he plans on or is making "ligaw." It wouldn't be clear for the girl. She might not be thinking that he's courting her.
I think that words and actions go together. it can't be just words or just actions. i believe that actions prove the power of your words.
Clarice Manuel
Hi18 K
words, speech is meaningless if no one listens or understands but action is grounded firmly in context and won't be understood by everyone on the same level.
even actions are prone to being misinterpreted. what we need, always, is moderation: action and speech / words working together to form a coherent concept, idea, state.
we learned, in Theology, the relationship that exists between actions and words "there is a harmony with words and actions: words proclaim and explain actions while actions embody words"
i think that words, alone, can persuade people and allow them to accept new ideas, people, situations. and that change is substantial only if they are manifested in corresponding actions otherwise, there was no change in the first place.
in terms of words coming before actions -- words, speech are indicative of a person's ideas, etc but they are, to a degree, misleading. i think that if anything has to come first, it should be action. put your money where your mouth is. Just because you act first, doesn't mean you didn't think about your actions before performing them.
kyra ballesteros Hi18 K
I must disagree with Krishy on this matter... and not just cause i like to disagree with her...
Note the saying: "Actions speak louder that words"
If you leave everything up for to debate, then there will always be one side 'for' and one side 'against'. You cant make everyone happy. Its an idealistic and naive thought, to believe that EVERYTHING can be talked out... though action in itself doesnt mean aggressive acton, rather a grand gesture... You have to be able to prove your point beyond a shadow of a doubt and sometimes action is the only way to do that...
Though i also think that just cause a friend doesnt agree with you in this matter, doesnt mean that you should hit or harm that friend in any way... so the lesson here is... stop hitting Gabby :D
Gabby Locsin
Hi 18 K
GABBY! i vote you read the entry again!
"sometimes action is the only way to do that..."
that's exactly what i'm standing for... :P
To Gia:
Rizal wasn't exactly fighting for freedom either. He wanted to be under the rule of Spain.
Although, we can't really say that he was all talk too. He wasn't there to fight physically like Andres Bonifacio and his KKK boys. But in way, he did ACT by joining reform groups, writing novels to prove a point, enduring exile, sacrificing for the country and literally dying for the filipino people.
To Clarice:
I agree but then i'm not sure it really applies all the time especially when it comes to courting. For me, i think that it should be pretty much a given if this particular guy's going for you. If the girl doesn't see that, it's the guy's fault! Haha! Tell him to do his job properly! I mean, i'm not sure if guys do ask girls, "Can i court you?" nowadays haha! It might make it awkward for both (especially if the guy is rejected!) and no one wants to be in that kind of situation right? If there's a mutual kind of understanding, i'm sure both of you would feel it. The gestures and actions are enough to bring that kind of magic! Unspoken words give a sense of mystery! After all, isn't LOVE itself a mystery too? Now, isn't that fun? haha!;)
As most have pointed out, neither action nor words alone is enough to "win." Actions can always be misinterpreted. For example, you see two guys fighting. You immediately think "bad people." But who knows? Maybe one of the guys was defending his mom or something. How would we know?
Then again, I guess I agree with the law in the sense that it says "WIN through your actions, never through argument." It doesn't really say "Win ONLY through actions." As Tom said, if we talk the talk, we must walk the walk.
@ Ice and Krizia:
For the ligaw thing, I think, if you apply this law, it means that the guy shouldn't court the girl just by SAYING (or asking), "Can I court you?" At first, he may do so, but that should be followed by him actually doing the courting process (hatid-sundo, give flowers, go on dates, whatever). He can't just go, "I love you." He has to show that he loves the girl and that's how he "wins"--by showing through action what he meant by words. (It can't all be talk. "We should be together because of this and that"...)
Technically, you WIN by doing something, but you may express whatever intent you have through words.
Theresa Rosario Tan
hi18k
Words are powerful, they can influence and persuade others to actually follow what you stand for especially in light of a conflicting manner... Although even with the support, it's pointless if there's no "output"/action to be done with regard to the matter... Words can incite action and the most it (words) can do is be a path to the win.
Ok, so in some cases words are the only weapons one has... like say in a campaign for elections... sure, you win with your dressy words, but come office and you can't do anything... especially in a country like the Philippines, then that person's pretty much done for.
My point is use words as much as you like, they can be powerful, just make sure you can back them up with the appropriate action.
P.S. Nice example with the boy and girl. haha
Jame N. Say
Hi18 K
on a practical note, some people are just so thickheaded that even the most eloquent arguments won't move them an inch. So this law is best utilized when you know you're dealing with fools. If you think that the person whom you're communicating with is reasonable enough, there's no need to speak to him through your actions.
monica ang L
people are different from one another. each person has his own set of views, perceptions, thoughts etc. what one thinks may not necessarily be what the other one also thinks. this can give rise to unwanted arguments, especially if the people involved firmly believe in what they say. this is where action comes in. however, i think effective communication is a combination of both actions and words. when dealing with other people, our primary goal should not be to simply win, be better, or prove others wrong for personal satisfaction. the ultimate goal in communicating something is that it must have sense and truth. as much as possible, we must strive for peace and harmony in this world. we have to be careful in the things we communicate.
also, i think that this law depends on the people you are dealing with. if you are taking to a proud, aroogant, and stubborn person, then you might want to talk to him with your actions instead. but if you're talking to a sensible, mature, and open-minded person, then i think everything will be okay. we should avoid heated arguments when possible.
-Philip Albert T. Verde
Hi18 K
I agree to this law. I also think that words alone are not strong enough to win over somebody else. Also, argument through words can hurt each others' feelings and therefore, make the feelings and emotions be more intensified. Involvement of too much emotions would not give a positive effect. Words, may be a part of support in doing something, but it must not be the main point. Action speaks louder than words. Words should go hand in hand with action. Actions must be practical enough to relate the words. Also, words may be used to support and explain the actions that have been done. I think, it is best to win over something by combining words and actions in an appropriate manner.
Yu Chin Hong
Hi18-K
between speech or action, it's really hard to decide which is more powerful; it would depend on the situation. There are some instances in which rationalization is the key, and there are some wherein muscles are more effective. But if winning is the ultimate goal, then i must agree that a collaboration between the two is actually the best way to go.
Now that i think about it, the most successful battles i have ever fought were actually the ones wherein i used both.
i do believe that words are indeed the most deceiving and distracting tools that ever existed. you can play with them, disguise them and still, the other party would be drawn to them. Words are convincing in itself, but if you pair it with its corresponding action, it becomes even more plausible and powerful.
Words are empty without action, and so is action without words.
Kriska Rivadillo
Hi18 K
The fields of philosophy and religion have won people over through their arguments. People are not physically forced to believe in Kant's ethics, or are Filipinos physically forced to believe in Jesus. In these cases, words and intelligent arguments have won people over, without the need for physical force to impose belief.
That said, I still believe that it is in the quality of one's words--or one's actions that allows victory over others. It's not necessarily about the type of means--the effectiveness of the means is what determines the end.
Chio Cebrero
Hi 18 L
action are very important, they give us a concrete sign to where a person stands in a position, wether for or against. It is unlike the abstractness of words, where a person says one thing but means another.
though we cant really belittle the importance of argument, though in itself argument is a form of action. arguments and action go hand-in-hand, you use arguments to show your stand and action to in force or prove it
Gabby Locsin
hi 18 k
Making a point through the use of examples is more effective than just babbling about it. Sometimes people just have to see to believe. Upon Jesus' resurrection, many believed but Thomas still doubted. He required empirical evidence, and then Jesus showed himself wounds and all. He let Thomas touch the wounds, and Thomas believed.
Denis Flores
Hi 18K
I agree with those who have commented before myself. In a world where people are jaded, it is difficult to make someone believe something through mere words. When applied in our context, there is a strong need for action to prove one's self. However, we mustn't underestimate the power that a string of words wields over people. (In agreement with Gia Fortun's post) After all, wouldn't our history be entirely different had Rizal fought with a sword instead of a pen?
Elise Noelle Anne Lim
II BS CTM
HI18 Section L
People are held liable for whatever they say, whether it'd be a promise to a friend or information on an opponent. Every time you say anything, you always have to keep in mind that you have to back up whatever it is that you said. I think one can't simply babble and expect the whole world to listen if he doesn't have any evidence or proof in hand. Here is where action comes in. Actions act as a stable foundation for the credibility of a person. Although, words are powerful it is important to take note that true conviction lies within the real or substantial. How can you convince someone that what you're saying is right if you have nothing to show them as proof?
Teri Marcelo
Hi 18-K
@ Clarice: I think the fundamental point of this law is the end goal of actually conveying your presupposed plan through actions. Actions DEFINITELY speak louder than words and I believe that what you do doesn't always prove the power of your words.
Have you ever experienced asking someone if he/she is mad at you and he/she says no whilst shrugging and/or rolling his/her eyes in the most annoying way possible? If you have, did you actually believe that he/she wasn't mad?
I didn't think so either.
Case in point proven.
Monica Copuyoc
Hi18- L
To Monica:
That's true! It's hard to reach out to people like that. Like whatever you say to them goes right and straight outta their heads. Pointless, really. What else can you do? Your last hope is to communicate with them through actions. We may not be able to talk to them through words but hopefully, they may be able to "listen" through vision and understand what they see.
Krizia Javate
Hi18K
To Chio:
That's one of the main reasons why religion and science can never agree. The previous one relies mainly on reason in itself while the latter is convinced mostly by empirical reasoning. And because this is still a controversy today, you can't say that things proven by mere words have already won over numerous arguments. Many remain to be skeptical by things unobserved. People need something concrete for them to hold on to and believe in.
Krizia Javate
Hi18K
To Denis:
I like the fact how you used a miracle story to prove a point. :)
There is a saying that it's "easier said than done." I totally agree because words can only offer so much. Sure, they are important because they serve as some sort of reassurance but only when it is acted upon on can it actually make a big impact on someone.
Krizia Javate
Hi18K
How can you convince someone that what you're saying is right if you have nothing to show them as proof?
To Teri:
VERY TRUE! The last thing you want is to look like a fool in front of your opponent. In your defense, you need real tangible proof. That'll show 'em. But if you have nothing but confidence and words, that's just a bit too risky and too bold of you. You can keep talking but at the end of the day, it's hard to defeat someone who has something to back up what he believes in. Embarrassment and loss for you is inevitable if placed in such a situation. Don't expect a sure victory. You came unprepared and as a result, you should prepare of unpredictability at the very least.
Krizia Javate
Hi18K
Have you ever experienced asking someone if he/she is mad at you and he/she says no whilst shrugging and/or rolling his/her eyes in the most annoying way possible? If you have, did you actually believe that he/she wasn't mad?
To Monica:
Nice! This is a good example which I'm sure all can relate too. Something as simple as this proves to be a strong point. If you think otherwise then that clearly shows insensitivity and denseness. And that would be really sad.
Krizia Javate
Hi18K
It is always a concoction of both words and actions. Nothing can be fought out or in that sense stand by itself. To win over opponent you attack first by words winning over the emotions. Then, you support it with action.
Rhea Entuna
section L
more things are won through argument now right?
with the introduction of cellphones and the internet, the distance between people have become a little bit farther hasn't it?
here's the time where you can actually text "i love you" with the receiving end believing it but without you meaning it.
many relationships are also saved because of texting. it actually helps to lose the intimacy sometimes and be calm in tackling a problem. actions can cause harm leading to more misunderstandings.
JR Resma
Hi18 K
Beating your opponent, in the first place, is a subjective thing. What do you mean by beating? To humiliate? To outsmart? or to literally beat them and have them begging at your knees, asking you to spare their lives. If it is the last case, then words alone can never do this. It would be a funny sight if two generals had a debate first and if one beat the other so badly, the other army would surrender. It just didn't work like that. If total domination is what you're after, actions is definitely the way to go. In Scipio's words, Battles are not won by the shield but by the point of the sword. One must be on the offensive for it to be called a true victory. If not, we can call it a successful defense. Actions will always be greater than words in my point of view. If one is an eloquent speaker and speaks of great things, that person still has to back it up. But when one person is portraying great actions, do we ask him to back it up with words? I think not. Therefore i think actions is always the way to go.
Ayo Canlas
Hi 18 L
Jose Rizal may seem to fight with his words but he also set an example through action. He spread word about the Spaniards and what they were doing. For me this is already action because by standing up to the Spaniards and writing his books, he was already taking action. His role in the revolution for the freedom of the Philippines was instrumental because he decided to take action and write about the Philippines
Sean Co
Hi18 K
Awwww Krish, your example was really sad ._. I believe that both argument and action are supposed to complement each other. Action must have logical reason, and argument should find for itself a material manifestation for it to have base. In the case of Mucianus, I guess, you can't just say you're right--you have to think about why you are, and sometimes you either come up with different reasons or the conclusion that you really might not be.
Peep Warren
Hi18-L
To Rhea:
That's true! I agree that you do need both words and actions yet i can't help but be convinced that at the end of the day, actions do not just merely support yet truly justify each and every word that is enough to give conviction which makes you the real winner.
Krizia Javate
Hi18K
The book tries to teach you all the avenues of achieving power. Here, focus is on affecting one's ideals in the directest way possible - action.
Oh sure people get done by barking their beliefs and penning manifestos but information dissemination takes time. Let's just face that fact.
Instead, we're urged to actually, truly, honestly MOBILIZE. The pen is mightier than the sword - mightier still if you use it as a sword to gouge your enemy's eyes out, literally.
Joey Palma
Hi18-K
haven't read all the comments, but like most have probably said, actions speak louder than words. words are powerful, but, when someone's convinced about a certain thing, words might not always do very much. actions, however, can be enough to silence an enemy and say more than words can ever say. actions demonstrate your very argument and can do more than fighting with words, since words might not always get to the enemy or convince people.
kristina tan
hi18 k
Hear, hear, Joey Palma!
No one is ever convinced by a person who's also talk. The only way one can ever attain victory in a battle is by attacking literally. Otherwise, all you'll ever get is nothing but the title of a wuss.
Krizia Javate
Hi18K
I agree that you shouldn't take on an argument by using your mouth solely. I think that words are a great basis or starting ground for an argument as debate teams of the world have shown. However, I agree that you cannot rely on those words because we are all familiar with empty promises. Facial expressions, body language, and literal actions all speak volumes.
When a couple is fighting, words are usually the first spears that are thrown at one another. But letting your point get across is done by your actions. One can easily see what the other is REALLY feeling by the emotions written on his face and the way his back is arched, shoulders are slumped or eyes are wandering. With this being said, though I think it is right to win through your actions, one must also be careful because it is just as easy to lose by them as well
Regina A. Yulo
Hi 18 L
I think the main question to ask here is how does a leader plan to use either action or argument in order to win. One must take into consideration the crowd of people he or she is trying to beat. Sometimes actions could be a better strategy to use in order to overthrow a leader. Other times argument could be used to persuade your enemy thus achieving victory without the need to exhaust much effort.
Richard Hahn
L
You can't please everyone as they say, there will always be an argument if a point is presented. Especially on words that pose uncertainty, could be about lies or there is inconsistency. This is like when you dream of something and you just say it but you don't actually act on it. Or when you say you are to comment on 10 posts today but end up doing just 3. Actions speak louder than words, nothing of greatness is achieved through just talks and pointless arguments.
Czarina Kathryne Masagca
Hi18-L
Democracy is always a good thing, but most people are just too proud and stubborn to listen. I like what Tom said about Rizal's words and actions. I don't think the law necessarily means, by actions, violence. It's more of not just talking, but DOING something. But, again, sometimes violence is necessary. Whatever was meant by actions, I'm sure that to win anything, you'll need a little of both.
Sam Bautista
Hi18-K
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