A Drop Of Ink Can Make A Million Think

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 22 January 2024 January 22 is English poet Lord Byron's Birth Anniversary. One of the most famous aphorisms in any language is Lord Byron's 'A drop of ink can make a million think.' But it's interesting to know that this famous quote is actually an example of reverse sublimation after he wrote, "A drop of semen can produce the worst of men" (Refer to Benita Eisler's 'Byron: Child of Passion, Fool of Fame,' 2001). Though nowadays, people barely use a pen, much less an ink pen, this quote hasn't lost its eternal relevance because 'ink' is now a metaphor for written words. Voltaire said, "To hold a pen is to be at war." Despite our gadget-oriented and social media driven lives, (written) words still appeal to us. Just think, you'd not have been reading this article had you not been fascinated by the power of words. It's the power of words that can bring about a change. If reams of papers are being wasted on the narcissistic megalomania of a deluded leader, words of sanity are also appearing to strike a balance because the pen is the lever that moves the world. We must never forget that it's through the tongue, the pen, and the press that truth is principally propagated. Words are permanent inscriptions on the slab of time and the granite of collective human experiences and sufferings. Writing is not only a cathartic experience for a writer, it's also a process of universal catharsis as it binds humanity together. To quote Hindi poet Shamsher Bahadur Singh, "Tera Bhi Wahi Haal, Mera Bhi Wahi Haal/ Aa Mil Ke Paida Karein Koi Bhoochaal" (We both have the same state of circumstances/ Let's create a seismic effect). The whole world has changed drastically in the last quarter of a century. Human perceptions have undergone a sea-change; priorities, preferences and predilections have witnessed a tectonic shift. A new world order has emerged. Yet, written or printed words are still valued despite their orthographic and grammatical anomalies. Those who think, still read a book and ruminate. They at least, read a newspaper. Words ennoble us. The dictum of every purposeful and thinking existence is Rene Descartes' "Cogito, Ergo Sum" (I think, therefore, I'm). And how you think? Words make you think. Saadat Hasan Manto aptly said, "Ek Qatrah Syahi Ka Aab-e-Samandar Se Kahin Zyada Ahmiyat Rakhta Hai" (A drop of ink has much more value than the water of a sea). Today, we remember Lord Byron not because of his bohemianism or reprobate lifestyle, we remember him because of his immortal poetry; for his sublime works like 'Don Juan,' ' She walks in beauty, ' Prometheus ' and that supremely poignant poem, ' When we two parted ' among others. This is the everlasting impact of words. They seep into every crevice of your existence. By the way, it's often said about Byron, "He left a name to all succeeding times/ Linked with one virtue and a thousand crimes." What was that virtue? His deathless poetry that still moves mankind and makes us think. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/lord-byron-ink-think/d/131561 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism