【明報專訊】This saying first appeared as a statement in a play about 150 years ago. It means that the written word - either in a book, an essay, or in the press - is often more powerful and influential (具影響力) than the strength of a great army. If you doubt that, think about this: long after mighty rulers are gone and forgotten, the literature (文學) of their age lives on because the pen truly is mightier than the sword.