Accept all of yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses, your surroundings, your present truths, and know what tools you have to fulfill your purpose.
Last weekend Angel and I attended a show at a local comedy club. During the last skit of the night, the comedian on stage delivered a fairly humorous rant on the age-old dispute of whether the pen is mightier than the sword. “Some people think too much,” he said as he pulled out an imaginary sword from an imaginary holster. “If you’re really dumb enough to think the pen is mightier than the sword, go ahead and arm yourself with a pen and I’ll take my chances with this sword… then we’ll see who’s left standing in ten seconds.”
His antics were hilarious, so naturally I chuckled. All of a sudden, he pointed directly at me in the third row and said, “Hey young man, do you think I’m a funny guy? You look like a pen-pushing, desk jockey! Get out your pen! Wanna fight?”
I was a bit startled. This was the first time I’d ever been called out and put on the spot in front of a large audience at a comedy club. The audience laughed and then silence swept over the auditorium. Everyone waited for me to either cower in my chair or stand up to the challenge. I stood up and spotlights shined down on me.
“Actually funny man, yes I do have a pen,” I said, pulling a fountain pen from my jeans pocket and holding it up for all to see. “However, I don’t intend to physically fight you with this pen. Instead, I’ll use the pen to sign a fat check that entitles me to a bazooka which I’ll use to blow your kinda-funny rear end right off that stage.”
The audience roared. The comedian groaned and said, “You little punk, I’ll use my sword and my cat-like reflexes to cut you, your check, and that pretty girl next to you in half before you can even blink an eye!” He looked at Angel who was sitting next to me and gave her a dirty wink.
The audience laughed again. I smirked and waved my empty hand around in the air noting that the comedian was, in fact, waving an imaginary sword at me. “I feel quite certain that your sword is incapable of doing any damage to anyone or anything,” I said.
Another short round of laughter escaped from the audience and I sat back down. The comedian made a few more foolish comments and moved on with the remainder of his routine. But I don’t really recall anything else he said or did. I started thinking about the ease with which so many of us use rhetoric to mislead and deceive each other, and the resourcefulness we must tap into to truly get ahead in this world.
Right Tool, Right Time
There is a time and place for every tool. Resourcefulness is knowing how to use each one of them, and when to use one over another.
In the hands of a poetic pioneer laying the groundwork for positive change, the pen is mightier than the sword because it can be used to create literary masterpieces capable of motivating an army of fellow citizens to join the revolution. In the hands of a foot soldier at the forefront of a battlefield, the sword is mightier than the pen because the soldier can use the sword to defend himself from imminent physical danger.
Different people in different situations require different tools. Any object can be mightier than another if it is used as a tool in the proper context. A ply of soft tissue is mightier than a sword when you have a runny noise. A glass of water and an apple are mightier than a pen when what’s needed is hydration and nourishment.
The mightiest and most resourceful people, I believe, are those who know when to use the sword, and when to use the tissue. They drink water when they’re thirsty and eat apples when they’re hungry. They use a pen and paper (or a laptop computer) when then want to inspire others. And, I suppose, they invoke powerful, imaginary bazookas when they get called out and put on the spot in comedy clubs.
(Note: Our New York Times bestseller, Getting Back to Happy: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Reality, and Turn Your Trials into Triumphs, is an easy-to-read guide that will make YOU more resourceful, guaranteed.)
Now, it’s your turn…
Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think of this short essay.
What resonated? Any other ideas on being “mighty” or “resourceful?”
I’d love to read YOUR thoughts. 🙂
And finally, if you haven’t done so already, be sure to sign-up for our free newsletter to receive new articles like this in your inbox each week.
Michelle says
Marc, that was AWESOME! Both the lesson itself and the story of your comedy club experience. I love the bazooka. Good for you! 🙂
There’s no doubt about it…it’s not what we use, necessarily, but when to use what! Thanks for another simple yet profound story with us!
Ps. See you and Angel on Saturday in San Diego! I can’t wait for Think Better Live Better 2019! Traveling there now with my daughter.
Nnadi Anthony says
I wish i can join you guys (you and your daughter).
Smiles….
Vicky Williao says
You know it is good he use that proverb, it allows you to communicate to the world words are more powerful and effective than swords. Swords can kill and I believe a live dog is better than a dead lion. Words are superior and can change the world and the way people react in life. Obama use words to be President, ‘yes we can’ in peoples heart and ears.
Everything have its place and time . Ecclesiastic 3 there is a time and place for everything. Therefore the sword have its place to kill, words have power to give and change lives. There is nothing on planet earth that is not made up of words, whether negative or positive.
Finally, I think your visit to the park was God’s divine plan for you. The song that keep repeating in your head was the
spirit speaking to you.Remember we have body, soul and spirit and they play their parts in our lives. See Jeremiah 29 v 11.
Thank you for your information they are encouraging , you and Angel has a great legacy which will never die and will be with us long after you are gone. Be blessed.
Maya Adams says
Beautiful. As usual, your essays arrive in my email inbox just when I need something inspiring to read. And I couldn’t agree more with the sentiment of this post. So many people use rhetoric to mislead and deceive ..it is for us to realize what tools WE can use to make the kind of difference WE want to make – the tool is just an enabler, the journey and end result are what matter. Great perspective!
patrick says
This article is itself a great example of using the right tool effectively.
Swords have their place, but you certainly couldn’t use even an imaginary one to force anyone to subscribe to your your blog updaters for example, but this article certainly has for me.
Also, I just bought your book on Amazon and I’m looking forward to it.
Georgina says
Hi
I had a similar experience at a Comedy Club. I worked for high powered Law Practice and went with my team straight from work to a Comedy Club. I was ‘booted and suited’ as were my companions. The comedienne decided l was fair game and made comments such as ‘your ladyship’ when did you last dine at the Palace (Buckingham of course) and other such puerile comments..
I could have responded but l chose to look directly at the comedienne with the haughiest look l could muster. I didn’t smile, shift in my seat or move my hands from my lap. After a short while the comedienne looked uncomfortable and changed tack. At the end of her stint she said ‘l respect the way in which you dealt with me etc etc etc.’ I learned that evening not to become an enabler for others bad behaviour, especially when it is directed towards me. I believe she thought l would be an easy target – l enjoyed teaching her otherwise.
My companions, all high powered Lawyers, commended me.
On that evening l earned respect from the Comedienne and from my colleagues and companions but most of all l earned personal respect for myself.
High five l think ?.
Melissa bingham-myers says
Yeah.. high five is awesome. 😉
GinGin says
Really? Gaining “respect” in a comedy club. Don’t you see how ironic that is? You should have played along and been witty, way more respect for a quick wit than playing that part in which you were already demonstrating.
Georgina says
I respect your point of view GinGin however to have joined in the banter she would have torn me to pieces and l knew it!!!!!
She thought l was an easy target, and albeit unwittingly l helped her that evening. l was part of a group of highly skilled Advocates who would have thoroughly enjoyed the cut and thrust of banter with her had she picked on one of them – l really do not believe she would have enjoyed the experience. I enjoy banter but not when it becomes personal. I believe in the adage ‘never let anyone dictate how we behave’ so like Marc l dealt with the situation on my terms.
It was a good evening and the Comedienne joined us at our table for wine etc after .
The right tool for the right job – l believe so !
Jenna Jones Paradis says
This is hilarious and oh so true! How cool that you challenged the comic! And took the idea and wrote an insightful essay out of the experience. Yes, different life situations call for different weapons. But as a political dove and not a hawk, I would pick the pen most every time!
Larnell Edwards says
Hey Marc great story It was a pleasure finding your website especially the 30 things to start doing yourself I printed them out I been doing this on my own terms fighting for the freedom of happiness and that was a key to the door buddy thank you
David A Eisler says
Marc…you pen has always been a well honed sword, laying out swathes of enlightenment, encouragement and always energy of a most positive nature.
Getting back to happy…before publication, on Amazon, my memory reminds me, periodically, that I bought a copy. I’d like to have you & Angel please check me out and get in touch. I’ll be 82 March 24, I may be faulty now then, no prescription drugs, a little CBD occasionally…just sayin’Marc, just sayin’!
David
Janie says
David, loved your comment to Marc and Angel… HAPPY BIRTHDAY IN ADVANCE!
Aaron Wandtke says
This reminds me to show up today with what I have today. The person I am today is different than I was yesterday, last week and last year. Too often we see ourselves as the person we were years ago versus the person we are today who has the wounds, the baggage, the scars, the medals and the memories. Remember, so does everyone else. We are all works in progress on this journey.
Thank you for the great article!
marilyn wegner says
Your story mad me think of rock, paper, scissors. Different thibgs are mightier then others depending upon the circumstances. And I think you did some quick thinking on your feet in your situation with the comideian, so that is pretty mighty in my book.
Terry says
In my 30 years in law enforcement, I frequently was able to diffuse potentially dangerous situations with a bit of humor and inspiration, helping those involved to see “Around the 500 pound Gorilla” they were facing. I can usually find something humerous to say about almsot everything: e.g. laying flat on my back in a parking lot where I slipped and fell on the ice. Firemen and ambulance arrived (thought I had broken something) They asked me if I was hurting and I told them ” Yes, but I got ice on it right away after it happened!”
Melissa bingham-myers says
Hahahhh lol that’s awesome. I like the way you put that. And I agree that using humor can always help in a bad situation. Especially where ppl can be feeling fear or feeling uncomfortable, nervous, ECT. That’s great advice to share. Right on. Thank you. Have a blessed day.
Asalaam ?? peace
Siya says
This story really makes me to realise that everything is useful in life. If it seems useless it’s because it’s not used at the right time and place. The same applies in real life, if you are struggling or not good at what you do it’s not because you are weak or useless. It might be because you are trying to channel your energy in a wrong thing. Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by it’s ability to climb a tree it will live it’s whole life believing it’s stupid.”. Thanks Marc and Angel you always make me think outside the box.
Mary Stephenson says
I always love the last laughs over arrogant folks. Recently the pen from the right person made a bully pay back the money he owed me. Just a few honest words with letting him know he was in violation of the law and wise for him to pay up or be charged twice the amount he owed plus possibly more. He backed down and sent me a check.
CHARLES MCHUGH says
I would have had an imaginary old style ink pen that squirts ink ala The Three Stooges, squirted him in the eye and took his imaginary sword while he was blinded. Way to go Marc. I thought about this and I know with my personality I would have had to respond to this guy but had he picked my son who is much more introverted, he would have went the cower route which I believe caught off guard most people would have.
Felicity Dark says
Keep a 3d pen handy to draw a cage..
Sam Roquemore says
Really liked the quote before the essay. Did you write that?
Melanie Romero says
You had me at holster. A sheath for a sword is a scabbard, even an imaginary one.
Melissa bingham-myers says
I like it. I think the pen is the best tool most the time. A sword was created for taking life. Or injuring something. And I’m of the light.. I would have no interest in a sword.. I think not using the sword is the better way to go all together . Just because if you need to cut a tree down to escape for example . Well that’s why Almighty God gave you strong legs to Spartan kick that damn tree into next week..see no need for a sword. Lol hahahaha.. choose the pen not a weapon created to take life ..just saying . If possible. Anyways thanks for the read and smiles.. I love you all forever X’s infinity and e=mc2.. but Almighty God loves you even more. Have a blessed day and thank you.
Asalaam ?? peace
Kim says
Wow! You are quick witted. I wouldn’t have known how to respond! I liked your analysis. It shows how important it is to have many and a wide variety of tools at our disposal. The right tool for the job, as they say.
Bony says
Wow! Soooo suave and captivating! Ready with the mightiest and most advanced tool of all in the sight of hills that life presents us.
What would have happened if you decided to not rise to the confrontation? That’s what we should ask ourselves often… and think of the end result if we chose to FACE IT.
Anwar Hussain Mojumder says
Hi, I do appreciate your title of writting. The pen is mighter than the sword, left the big question. Is it right? In the sense of its final result, actually using right tools on right time is the most powerful intectuality. War can be succeded by sword. But finally target oriented war can’t be win only with the sword. On the other hand, from the view of imaginary point, if we considered the sword as power of force tools,, and pen as power of intectual tools, than pen is more powerful. A pen effect touch the hear of humanity till end of the worlds. Its make a silent and unuttered revolunary changes. But he winning war by sword became a hatred history. Behind the present civilizaion of the word, pen as tools are superpower forever.
Emanuela says
Thank you for such an insightful piece! A tool is always used powerfully in the hands of an expert! As a writer, you used the power of words effectively to overcome that situation.
Brian says
Reminds me of a time I went to a comedy club with a friend of mine who is a very large individual. He too was selected out of the audience to be picked upon because of his appearance. When the comedian on stage asked for his name, my friend, without missing a beat, called out “Jenny Craig”. It brought down the house & was the funniest line of the evening.
The reply that went through my mind as I read your post … Stand up and say, as a matter of fact you are right, I am a published author and blogger. If you cut me down and I’m not able to post anything tomorrow, they’ll come after you and put you in jail. Career over. If I’m entertained and live to tell my thousands of followers how funny you are, it could make your career. Your choice. Then sit down.
+-Life. says
In your case, you were resourceful but also very spontaneous, quick and witty at the same.
I think those factors coupled together made for the awesome comeback.
On the flip side, there are others that are very resourceful but might not possess the same amount of “quick wit” that you do.
Being resourceful should also be about recognising that and managing situations to the best of your ability!
Jenny Stanley-Baker says
For me, the tool was revealed back over twenty years ago when I was attending Indiana Business College(no longer in existence). Results in business writing class was good, which showed me the opening door to a career as a writer. Travel Industry was not for me, I am not a people person even though I do get along with people, I just don’t agree with business ethics when it comes to the public.
Anna says
“There is a time and place for every tool. Resourcefulness is knowing how to use each one of them, and when to use one over another.”
I am struck by how often we easily lean on the wrong tool at the wrong time. We easily jump to yelling, defending, or hiding. I am learning this day by day with my children. When they misbehave or do something to irk me, I find my yelling voice the easiest tool to lean on. But, so often there are other tools right there that are so much better for all of us. It’s not just having the tools, it’s knowing how to use each one and when.
Shubha H says
Hello, a very nice article. Really made me to look at the things differently. Totally agree with your interpretation on ‘different people need different tools per their situations’. I was just wondering for another way of interpreting ‘Pen is mightier than Sword’ which is an ancient saying… believed since ages. Obviously there must be some reason behind this logic. A sword can break things or kill people; which means a symbol of ‘destruction’ (sometimes maybe for a good purpose). A sword would eliminate a specific thing or person or an enemy for the moment. But there might be many such things or people out there! So, sword is like a ‘temporary solution’. The pen used to pour out one’s thoughts, beliefs which would leave a remarkable or never fading impressions in a reader’s mind. These impressions maybe either good or bad; depends on what beliefs and how those are expressed by the writer. These beliefs would be passed onto several generations and could help in building good mankind. This means a pen could be considered as a ‘constructive’ (and ‘destructive’ based on situation) tool. So, I think the root purpose of this saying is to make the humankind to understand that ‘try to find a permanent solution without violence rather than a temporary one by eliminating specific problem’. What do you think?