The Power of Words A Compendium of Great Speeches from World Leaders

Acknowledgment

give glory, honour, adoration and thanks to the almighty God, the all-knowing God, the repository of the seed of knowledge and in

I

whom lies the mystery of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. I would also like to thank my parents Engr. and Mrs Idowu David Ademokun for the opportunity I was accorded to a good education.

My heartfelt thanks to my husband Tayo Adekaiyaoja (MPharm) and our sons: Mr Ibitayo Lincoln Adekaiyaoja (Jnr) and Mr Olugbenro George Adekaiyaoja.

A bunch of thanks to my group of classmates at the University of Lagos, Akoka, in particular the 1989 law class set. Could I dare to say that our ‘89 law class is one of the best set of students that the University of Lagos Faculty of Law ever produced?! Yes, we can! Thanks also to the International Lawyers Forum, fellow writers, authors, and editors’ forum where I receive inspiration and motivation on a regular basis. Thanks also to the Literary and Debating Society Group in my secondary school days where my speechwriting skills began. (Methodist Girls High School Yaba and Marywood Girls Grammar School)—Tribute to my head teacher, class teachers, and classmates.

A big thank-you for the nurturing and development that I have received over the years as a chartered member of CILIP—Chartered Institute of Library and Information professionals, United Kingdom, for my admission to chartership and for all the training I have acquired to develop professionally.

In particular, I would like to acknowledge the following special interest groups and forums:

Commercial, Legal  and Scientific  Information Group CILIP

International Library and Information Group CILIP

Government Information Group CILIP

Library and Information Research Group CILIP

UK e-Information Group CILIP

Rare Books and Special Collections Group CILIP

The British Library and Lexis Nexis UK

CILIP Library UK and BIALL at Library of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, Parliament Square, London

Leaders      Network      of      The      Library      and      Information Association – CILIP UK

Thanks to the Authors Alliance headquartered in the United States. I am grateful to the Chartered Institute of Libraries and Information Professionals (CILIP) United Kingdom for my admission to chartership. I am also grateful to BIALL—British and Irish Association of Law Librarians at the Library of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, Parliament Square, London.

Thank you to my extraordinary cousin and role model Lawyer (Mrs) Clara Omotilewa Ibirogba, she is Director of the Directorate for Citizens Rights in Lagos, Nigeria since 2006. Mrs Ibirogba is a full member of the Institute for Chartered Mediators and Councillors. She serves as alternate Chairman of DSVRT (Domestic and sexual violence response team).

Thanks to Gabriela Davidova, Kristian Ferencik, and Arinola Popoola for their continuous support over the years.

Special thanks to Dr Olabode Desalu and Engnr Tairat Shote.(Software Engineer & ICT/Citizenship Teacher (London school), Nimah Bello, Faridah Bello & Halimah Bello and Sola Awonuga.

Thanks to Folake Olabisi Ajibola for being a living testimony to the power of the living word of God. These are her words… and I quote My miracle is mine…..my testimony is HIS…..Folake Ajibola (May 2018)

I am grateful for the continuous motivation and inspiration that I have received from the body of Christ in particular members of Morden Park Baptist Church under leadership of Reverend Ken Franklin and the Diaconate.

Thanks to Richard Mustonen-Smith of Everyday Church in Wimbledon, London. Richard is a street pastor and response pastor in Merton.

Thanks to the Merton street pastors, Co-ordinator John Goddard, Kevin Vickers, Trustee Board Member for Merton Street Pastors, all my fellow friends at Merton street pastors in particular: John Hearsum (Response pastor), Malcolm Bream, James Bogere and Tim Kanya Graham.

Street pastors in the United Kingdom are Christians representing their local community churches on the street and in the community, they listen to the lonely, care and help the vulnerable to make the world a better place to live in. They offer ‘words’ of comfort and prayer to the homeless, they listen to the heavy laden and they care for anyone in need.

The church in action on the streets, listening helping & caring In Merton Teams go out 2-3 Friday nights each month in each of Mitcham and Wimbledon Merton street pastors are part of the national Street Pastor organisation run by the Ascension Trust and all volunteers are screened and undertake the 12 day Ascension Trust training before beginning.

For more information please see: https://streetpastors.org/locations/merton/

‘The Power of Words’ that heals the sick, the power of words that care for the vulnerable and a ‘moment of silence’ that listens to a lonely hearted person in our community’’….Lorna.

Lorna Ibidun Adekaiyaoja (nee Ademokun) LL.B. (Hons). BL. MCLIP. MBIALL

April 2018

Lawyers as Great Orators

A Compendium of Speeches from Famous Great World Leaders

The Power of Words

(To the Human Spirit, Soul, and Body)

With Over 406 Rhetorical Terms Defined

by

LornaMarie

Chapter 1

Definition of ‘word’

A ‘word’  according  to  the  dictionary is ‘a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing, used with others (or

sometimes alone) to form a sentence and typically shown with a space on either side when written or printed.’

See  https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/word.

Words are spoken or written. ‘Words are composed of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units susceptible of independent use or  consist  of two  or  three such units  combined  under certain linking conditions, as with the loss of primary accent…. Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.’

See http://www.dictionary.com/browse/word.

Words can be a speech or talk as in to express one’s emotions in words, words can be the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music, words can be a contentious or angry speech or a quarrel. Please see: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/words. A word is something spoken or written; a remark or statement.

Secular word of the law

Words can either be sacred or secular. Usually things that are not holy are referred to as secular. The words of the law and words often used by most governments around the world are often as secular as possible, and this means that they do not favour any single religion and treat all religions on an equal basis: http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-sacred-and-vs- secular/

Laws are drafted by using words carefully put together to make up legislations. Drafters of the law need words to convey the message across to the people governed.

The law is a set of rules that people are made to follow by the state. The courts and police enforce this system of rules and punish people who break the laws, such as by making them pay a fine or other penalty or sending them to jail. In ancient societies, laws were written by leaders to set out rules on how people can live, work, and do business with each other. Today in most countries, laws are written and voted on by groups of elected politicians in a legislature, such as a parliament or congress. To follow the laws of a society is to do legal things. An activity is illegal if it breaks a law or does not follow the laws: see https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law.

Rule of law is a legal maxim that suggests no one is above the law and governmental decisions must be made only by applying known legal and moral principles. The rule of law limits the powers of government by judicial defense of laws and the constitution which is based on recognized basic legal values established in international law. The rule of law is meant to prevent dictatorship and to protect the rights of the people.

The rule of law is especially important as an influence on the economic development in developing and transitional countries.

See: Luis Flores Ballesteros. Corruption and development. Does the ‘rule of law’ factor weigh more than we think? 54 Pesos May. 2008:54 Pesos 15 Nov 2008. http://54pesos.org/2008/11/15/corruption-and- development-does-the-%E2%80%9Crule-of-law%E2%80%9D-factor- weigh-more-than-we-think/

Words are used in treaties

A treaty is an agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an (international) agreement, protocol, covenant, convention, pact, or exchange of

The Power of Words

letters, among other terms. Regardless of terminology, all of these forms of agreements are, under international law, equally considered treaties and the rules are the same.

Treaties can be loosely compared to contracts: both are means of willing parties assuming obligations among themselves, and a party to either that fails to live up to their obligations can be held liable under international law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty.

A good example of a treaty is the Treaty on the Protection of Artistic and Scientific Institutions and Historic Monuments or Roerich Pact, an inter-American treaty. The most important idea of the Roerich Pact is the legal recognition that the defense of cultural objects is more important than the use or destruction of that culture for military purposes, and the protection of culture always has precedence over any military necessity. See http://www.roerich.org/roerich-pact.php

References and Further reading:

H.L.A. Hart, The Concept of Law (Penelope A. Bullock and Joseph Raz eds. 2nd ed. 1994) (1961).

Sandro Nielsen: The Bilingual LSP Dictionary. Principles and Practice for Legal Language. Benjamins 1994

Johnson, Alan (1995). The Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology. Blackwells publishers. ISBN 1-55786-116-1.

http://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-sacred-and-vs-secular/

https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/word

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/word

Luis Flores Ballesteros. Corruption and development. Does the rule of law factor weigh more than we think? 54 Pesos May. 2008:54 Pesos 15 Nov 2008.

http://54pesos.org/2008/11/15/corruption-and-development-does-the-

%E2%80%9Crule-of-law%E2%80%9D-factor-weigh-more-than-we-think/ Black’s Law Dictionary, Fifth Edition, page 1196 (West Publishing Company 1979).

Barnett, H. (2005). Constitutional and Administrative Law (5 ed.). London: Cavendish. p. 9. Conversely, A written constitution is one contained within a single document or a [finite] series of documents, with or without amendments, id

In United States constitutional law, the term treaty has a special meaning which is more restricted than its meaning in international law; see United States law below.

Druzin, Bryan (2014). Opening the Machinery of Private Order: Public International Law as a Form of Private Ordering. Saint Louis University Law Journal. 58: 452–456

Chapter 2

The Use of Words in Knowledge, Education, and Learning

Literature are written in words. A teacher uses spoken words to teach the students. Most of us often while in school hardly ever forgets the voice of our teachers as it reechoes repeatedly, we spend long hours in school during term time more than we spend at home and so we get to hear our teachers for most of the day. The words that a teacher speaks really can influence whether a student likes that subject or does not like the subject. A teacher who encourages his or her students positively using words that motivate, encourage and spur the child to want to do well. The learning cannot be accomplished without good listening skills alongside eye contact at early age in life, so a teacher’s communication skill is vital  to the success of a  child. Words are powerful in education at all levels, as without words there can be no education as medium for transmission and transformation. Words used positively in education are energy used in the right direction. Words used effectively and efficiently in the educational system linger on in the minds of students for the rest of their lives.

In an article written by Paula Denton titled ‘The Power of Our words,’ (‘The Educational Leadership’ September 2008 | Volume 66 | Number 1, Pages 28–31. "The Positive Classroom: The Power of Our Words" by Paula Denton) she observes:

‘Teacher language is one of the most powerful tools a teacher wields; it can shape how students think, how they perceive themselves, and ultimately how they learn.  The Responsive Classroom approach, which research shows is associated with students having better social skills and more positive feelings

about school, offers concrete strategies to help teachers’ classroom language support student learning.’

Denton, who coaches teachers in Responsive Classroom strategies, discusses five key principles of positive teacher language: (1) be direct; (2) convey faith in students’ abilities and intentions; (3) focus on actions; (4) be brief; and (5) know when to be silent. She offers classroom examples of using each strategy successfully. http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept08/vol66/ num01/The-Power-of-Our-Words.aspx

Another article was written by Brenda Dyck, who teaches at Master’s Academy and College in Calgary, Alberta (Canada). Her voice of experience says it all. In her article ‘Power Words: Using Positive Words to Energize Your Students’ written in the Education World 2004, she says:

‘In the classroom, positive reinforcement is easier to talk about than it is to carry out. In this Voice of Experience essay, educator, Brenda Dyck shares a classroom tradition that celebrates  the  uniqueness  and  potential  of  each  child. Included: Web sites designed to help you encourage the students you teach.’ http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/voice/voice132.shtml

The Journal Procedia—Social and Behavioural Sciences, Volume 76, 15 April 2013, pages 570–57, published a very interesting article titled ‘Teaching between Art  and Therapy.  The Power  of the  Words in Education’ that states:

‘Today’s educator prepares tomorrow’s generations and for that he must be a doctor of souls, being more and more conscious that what we do close to a child influences his spirit, his soul, and his body. The school’s education as a therapy becomes a looked goal increasingly by parents for their children and reflected that educators help their students to build their identities, be confident and to take responsibility for

The Power of Words

their own development. The health of the lifetime depends on how we react, speak, and behave ourselves around those who are preparing to become adults. Patience, faith, and love are elements that bring light into the souls of children, and children will remember for a lifetime about those who have contributed at their personal development’ - University of Bucharest, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Teacher Training Department, Bucharest, Romania - CrenguĠa Lăcrămioara Oprea

References and Further reading:

https://www.commonsense.org/education/lesson/the-power-of-words-3-5

https://www.nps.gov/tule/learn/education/upload/Power_of_Words.pdf

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187704281300709X

Hoy, and Winstein, (2006). Handbook of Classroom Management. Research, Practice and Contemporary Issues. Evertson, C.M., Weinstein, C.S. (eds.) NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Purkey, W., and Strahan, D., (2002) Inviting Positive Classroom Discipline. Westerville: National Middle School Association.

Urban, H., (2004). Positive words, Powerful results. Simple ways to honor, affirm and celebrate life. New York: Rockefeller Center

Chapter 3

Power of Words on the Spirit, Soul and Body Response with dancing or singing

The Healing Word

Kristen Houghton in her Blog titled ‘The Spiritual Power of Words’ says and I quote:

We have at our disposal a power that can change lives, make a sick spirit healthy, encourage success, guide those who need it, make or break relationships and create a lasting impression of us as people. That power is the power of words. All of us use words in everyday conversation, that’s the human way of communication. We talk. Words are more powerful than anything on earth. But do we ever seriously think about what we’re saying to another person or how we’re saying it? Tone of      voice      and      body      language      all      play      into      what      we communicate. How do our words impact our relationships with others? The words you speak to others will determine the feedback you get from them. https://www.huffingtonpost. com/kristen-houghton/the-incredible-power-of- w_b_1014316.html

‘Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.’ (Proverbs 16:24). Brian Shilhavy @ Created4Health.Org has this to say and I quote:

‘Did you know that the words you speak have incredible power to bring healing in people’s lives? When you speak words of love, comfort, or encouragement to someone, those words have power to affect the person hearing them in such a positive way, that the result is health in their body.’ http://created4health.org/the-healing-power-of-words/

Our words are powerful because when they fall into other people’s ears they either bring life to them or can even dampen their spirit. Jesus in the Bible healed the sick by saying a word backed by the holy spirit supernatural force from the Lord, no wonder the eyes of the blind were opened, the sick were healed, the lame could work and the deaf could hear again, all these were possible by the power that came with the word that the Lord Jesus spoke.

Bible is filled with accounts of Jesus’ healing miracles. Healing is a by-product of the stripes Jesus endured before going to the cross:

But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Is. 53:5).

They brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: ‘He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses’ (Matt. 8:16–17).

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed (1 Pet. 2:24).

Jesus’ words were so powerful he could speak healing into a person’s life even when he was not present:

When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly. And he said to him, I will come and heal him. But the centurion replied, Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it. When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith… And to the centurion Jesus said, Go; let it be done for you as you have believed." And the servant was healed at that very moment. (Matthew 8:5–13)

Jesus’ words were so powerful when he spoke to evil spirits they fled and healing came: that evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. (Matthew 8:16).

From the book of Proverbs in the bible:

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. (Proverbs 12:25).Brian Shilhavy @ Created4Health went further to say and I quote:

Who in this life doesn’t suffer from some anxiety? Often the source of our anxiety is focusing on the negative, and sometimes even things that are not true, rather than the positive things that are true. You can help someone by speaking to them words of truth for encouragement to them and to build up their faith."

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (Proverbs 12:18). For those of us who are parents, our words can impart knowledge and life to our children, which results in their good health: My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4:20–22)

Not only do our words have power to heal, but unfortunately they also have power to destroy, which can result in sickness. As Proverbs 12:18 above states: There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts.—and swords kill or cripple people! Proverbs 18:21 says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue… When we get into a

conflict or argument, our words can either diffuse the situation like dousing a fire with water, or they can inflame the situation like throwing gasoline onto a fire!

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

(Proverbs 15:1)

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6)

James, the brother of Jesus, understood the power of words, and wrote that if one could control their tongue and only speak good words, that person would be a perfect man!

For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is afire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. (James 3:2–10)

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24) The Bible speaks often of miraculous healing through the work of Jesus Christ and faith in God. Our Lord is able to provide both physical and spiritual healing, and wants to do that for you!

When you are overwhelmed with health problems, bad news, or relationship struggles, the Word of God can be your source of supernatural help. Don’t give up! God promises greater things in store—a future filled with promise and hope! This collection of Scriptures on healing will provide encouragement, strength, and comfort as you focus on God’s healing power.

References and Further reading:

The Bible

•      James 3:2–10

Colossians 4:6

Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 4:20–22

Proverbs 4:20–22

Proverbs 12:18

Matthew 8:16.

Matthew 8:5–13

Chapter 4

Sacred words—spiritual perspective

The word sacred descends from the Latin wikt:sacer, that is consecrated or dedicated to the gods or anything in their power,

and to sacerdos and sanctum, set apart.

Sacred words remind us of God and religion. Generally sacred words are not for everyday use and, in fact, we keep these words aside for use in church or other religious purposes.

Sacred means revered due to sanctity and is generally the state of being perceived by religious individuals as associated with divinity and considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspiring awe or reverence among believers.

There is a sharp contrast between sacred words and secular words; for instance, most things worldly are secular. Sacred words and things have spiritual value while secular things have no spiritual value.

Words in themselves are very powerful whether sacred or secular; a word has the power to make or break. Spiritual words are like a seed, and that seed once spoken can turn into something both real and a reality. Words can create and build. In the Holy Bible, The King James Version, Genesis 1:1-30 says and I quote: http://biblehub.com/ kjv/genesis/1.htm

The first chapter of Genesis shows the typical power in a sacred word coming from Almighty God—that is, if you believe that God exists like I do. Below you will see that in the beginning the world itself was without form and when God spoke out a spiritual power force, the words became alive and heaven and earth were created through words. After the world was created, then the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters, and God in Genesis Chapter 1:3 used words backed by spiritual power force to create light by saying, ‘Let there be light

and there was light,’ God then further saw and acknowledged the light that he created by saying that it was good, that affirmation itself done by the use of words. Interestingly the Almighty God chose to separate light from darkness, the light day and the darkness he called night, making the evening and the morning to be the first day. Awesome!! God did all of that by using words.

In the beginning God created heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

The First Day: Light

And God said, ‘Let there be light’: and there was light. 4. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5. And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

The Second Day: Firmament

And God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.’

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

The Third Day: Dry Ground

And God said, ‘Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear’: and it was so.

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters he called Seas: and God saw that it was good. 11. And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth’: and it was so.

And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the third day.

The Fourth Day: Sun, Moon, Stars

And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

15 ‘And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth’: and it was so.

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

The Fifth Day: Fish and Birds

And God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.’

And God created great whales, and every  living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And God blessed them, saying, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.’

And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

The Sixth Day: Creatures on Land

24 And God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind’: and it was so.

And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.’

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.’

And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

‘And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat’: and it was so.

And God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was

very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

References and Further reading:

Sacred, A Dictionary of the English Language (James Stormonth, Philip Henry Phelp, eds.), Blackwood & sons, 1895, p.883

Durkheim, Emile (1915) The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life. London: George Allen and Unwin (originally published 1915, English translation 1915).

Eliade, Mircea (1957) The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion.

Translated by Willard R. Trask. (New York: Harcourt, Brace & World).

Another scripture where the use of words came so strongly is the Gospel according to John 1:1

Words about the Beginning? (John 1:1–5)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The same was in the beginning with God.

All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.

In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

The Witness of John (Malachi 3:1–5)

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all

men through him might believe.

He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.

He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

If you believe that God is ancient like I do, that God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent, then that would be great. In John 1:1–2, the Holy Bible reveals that in the beginning was the word, which means that WORDS have been there from time immemorial (http://biblehub.com/kjv/john/1.htm). In fact scripture says that ‘word’ was with God Almighty. The most gigantic of it all is that the scripture then affirms in the first verse that ‘the word was God’! How can that be? Like I mentioned earlier, the word can only be God because God himself is omnipotent. Think of it: Genesis 1:1 told us that God created heaven and earth by his spoken words, it should not at all surprise us therefore that in John 1:1–2, ‘the word was with God’ and that in fact the word was God. John 1:3 then said, ‘All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.’ John 1:4 then made us to understand, ‘In him was life; and the life was the light of men.’ John 1:5 then says, ‘And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.’

These sacred words in the book of Genesis and the gospel according to John are powerful sacred words. Whether or not you believe in them is another thing altogether. However while discussing sacred words, the scriptures from Genesis to Revelations are words of life.

In the book of Proverbs 18: 21

21. ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof’

Here in the book of proverbs of the Holy Bible is another sacred word http://biblehub.com/kjv/proverbs/18.htm. What this scripture is saying is that our words can either make or break. The choice is ours whether we want to use words to build and make the world a better place to live in or perhaps we want to use words to break! If your answer is like mine, to use words to build a better world, then that is a positive outlook. One thing is we can’t expect to speak negative words all the time and live a positive, healthy life. Positive words build victory and negative words make things go wrong, a poor word will result in a poor life.

Whenever we talk, we are planting the seeds for a better future. Seeds generally when planted and watered will grow under the right temperature with sunlight. Same thing with the words we speak: words when spoken germinate; they can be cultivated, nurtured for maximum positive impact in our life. Criticisms made by using words should be done with prudence: while I agree that it is good to do positive criticisms in other for effective reconstruction, corrections and positive outcome to be achieved, the way we go about criticising should be done with wisdom when words are written or used in the process.

We can easily be trapped by the use of our words this was mentioned by Solomon when he wrote the book of Proverbs Chapter 6:2 ‘2. Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.’

This scripture is simply saying that we can be trapped by the words of our mouth: once a word is spoken, it is very likely that the chances are slim to retract it. There is an old proverb that says, ‘A word is like an egg thrown on the ground: once it is broken, it cannot be reassembled together.’ Interesting! The only remedy is to either fry the egg or make an omelet from a broken egg, since the broken egg in its state cannot even be boiled anymore. Same thing with our words: once they have been spoken out into the air they fall into ears listening, they cannot be retracted or taken back as some people say they do! We need not say it if we do not mean it.

John 1:14 is a sacred scripture. In King James Bible it says, And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Christ is the ‘word’ referred to in this scripture, which means that an earlier prophesied scripture is now being manifested and fulfilled by Christ coming in human form. This scripture is very sacred indeed to the Christian faith.

See also James 3:2 King James Bible: "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body."

This scripture is simply saying being able to control the words that come out of our mouth and what is said makes us perfect. The tongue should be controlled to avoid saying the wrong things. In other words, indeed, we all make many mistakes—for if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. Positive words bring good energy; when we get the words going in the right direction, life will follow in that positive direction. Words of love and understanding are a blessing to the life of others. Speaking positive good words will make you healthier, will make you a happy person, and the positive energy coming from your positive words is infectious because other people are blessed by the force behind those positive words coming from you. Words of inspiration spoken to other could help shape the world positively for the better.

Words can be classified as Positive or Negative, for example:

In the book of Job 22: 28 King James Bible it says, ‘Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.’

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ will change everything; even you could, through our words, exercise the authority given to us through Christ Jesus to decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee; and it goes on to even light shall shine upon thy way. Awesome!

The greatest writing of all time is the Bible. The three truths making the most impression on its readers are that the world is governed by some miraculous power coming under the name of God, that there is a glorious eternal life, and that love is the most potent of all the psychological forces influencing this sphere. God is love. The sacred words of the Bible were inspired for a great purpose, each of its authors doing his allotted share. One of the most striking ideas gained in studying its many books, beginning with the creation of the world and its first inhabitants through the history of its ever increasing tribes and people, is its progress.

The power of words in marriage

Marriage is one of the institutions ordained by God. Just like a book, marriage is full of words. What words are included will determine if it is a book of love. It’s not only the words the couple use that make a difference, friends, family and a good few others will throw theirs into the ring as well (http://www.happywivesclub.com/10-things-ive-learned- about-the-power-of-words/). A woman’s word is powerful and so is a man’s word: with words we can build our husbands up or tear them down. https://unveiledwife.com/our-words-are-powerful-in-marriage/

Words are powerful little things, so much so that our thoughts, actions, emotions, and even our brains can be affected by them. In marriage it is important that we remember the ‘power’ of words and chose them wisely.

Proverbs 18:21 states, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

In James 3:3–12 it says, When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as

an example: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider that a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

All kinds of animals—birds, reptiles and sea creatures—are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing, this should not be. Can both freshwater and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Ephesians 1:19–21 …and His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength He exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ….—Romans 8:17

We have the same power inside us that Jesus does.

Genesis tells us God made us in His image. It also tells us that everything God did He said and it was so. If we are made just like God and He had to speak everything into existence, then wouldn’t we need to also?

The God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.—Romans 4:17

That’s powerful. God gave us the ability to speak into being what we want according to His Word.

How many of us are constantly speaking what our husband is like (in the negative), what he is not doing as the spiritual leader of our home?

If we are speaking negative, we are speaking death. We are creating exactly what we don’t want because we keep saying what we have. So instead of saying what your husband isn’t doing, start saying what the Word says he should be doing or what he should be as a husband.

Proverbs 16:24 says, Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

https://unveiledwife.com/our-words-are-powerful-in-marriage/

According to Toni Powell in her words from the Happy Wives Club at http://www.happywivesclub.com/10-things-ive-learned-about-the- power-of-words/, there are ten things we should learn from the power of words in marriage:

Life and death are in the power of words (Proverbs 18:21). I can help bring out the best in people or I can help to destroy them, just with my words. A power I don’t want to misuse, though sometimes do.

Words change our behavior. In the UK documentary series The Young Ones, researchers exposed one group of university students to words about ageing (i.e., old, infirm, hobble, wizened, geriatric) and another group to words around youth (i.e., skip, joy, jump, fun, young, energy) for just 10 minutes. Those exposed to the ageing-related words ambled from the room more slowly than when they had arrived, some stooped and sad. Meanwhile those exposed to the youth-related words walked faster or ran from the room, one even skipped and most were smiling.

Words affect our intelligence. Science is uncovering some very interesting understanding about words; for instance, exposure to a word can affect our actions, our feelings, our thinking, and even our intelligence! Research has shown that concentrating on the word ‘professor’ will make you smarter, while mulling over the words ‘soccer hooligan’ will decrease your intelligence.

The words I say to my husband will influence who he becomes. If exposure to one little word influences people, then I have to keep in mind constantly just what influence my words have on who my husband becomes. Some days I have to choose my words carefully!

The words I say to others about my husband will influence who he becomes—especially if I say those words in front of him. What he hears me say about him builds his picture of himself. I was fortunate enough to learn this little gem very early in my marriage and I believe it stopped me from destroying a lovely, lovely man.

Complaint mushes your brain. According to Trevor Blake, author of 3 Simple Steps, even listening to words of complaint for as little as 30 minutes strips away neurons in the hippocampus area of our brains and turns your brain to ‘mush.’ Complaint is a fallback position for me and one I best avoid if I want my husband and friends to have any brain cells left—the fact I have a few remaining ones is nothing short of a miracle.

Every single day I am influencing myself with the words I tell myself about myself. All those nasty little things I say to myself gain a foothold and bear sour fruit. Learning to speak nicely to myself grows much tastier fruit and everyone benefits.

Every single day I influence others with my words. This is often hard for me to remember. I am quick to point out faults and much slower to find the good in others. I send myself daily reminders to speak kindly!

Words come with emotions attached. I, like anyone else, have a stack of oft-used words that regularly appear in my speech and reveal my issues. I have struggled with fear and anxiety, so my speech tends to be littered with words like afraid, fear, Oh no! Oh dear! and That’s terrible! Most situations don’t call for such emotionally laden words.

I can see a situation very differently just by changing the words I use. It isn’t what happens to us that matters, it is how we think and speak about what happens that gives it power over us or us over it. – Toni Powell

In the book The Peaceful Wife: Living in Submission to Christ as Lord (paperback—January 27, 2016) by April Cassidy (also at https://peacefulwife.com/2013/09/16/most-powerful-words/), it says and I quote, "Your words, and more importantly the body language and tone of voice that accompanies them, can completely destroy your marriage. Or you can use the power of your words to breathe new life into your relationship."

Here are some of the most powerful words you can use in your marriage today:

Positive Words:

I love you. Simple but powerful, and it needs to be said daily.

I’m sorry. Don’t be afraid to own up to your mistakes, and don’t refuse to say these words just because you think you’re right and your spouse is wrong.

I really appreciate…. Gratitude does a lot to put both you and your spouse in a great mood. And ladies, it does a much better job of motivating your husband than nagging.

Thank you. Almost as good as the previous one.

What can I do to help you? Building a successful marriage is about serving your partner. What better way to do that than find out exactly what s/he needs right now?

How are we? Use these words to do a quick marriage checkup. Or maybe not so quick if your spouse feels like venting.

Let’s pray [about that]. You know the saying: Couples that pray together stay together. (Note from Peaceful wife: if your husband is far from God, it may be wise to follow I Peter 3:1–6 and not mention spiritual things to him, but definitely pray humbly for him on your own!)

Do you want a back rub/foot massage/etc.? Men, pay attention: I almost believe this last one is more powerful than all the others put together…."

These words can work wonders for even the most strained marriage. Encouraging, love-filled words offered genuinely build your spouse up and build trust, love, and respect in your relationship.

But as powerful as these words are for building your marriage, you can really wreak some havoc if you are not careful. In fact, harmful words have much greater impact than positive words.

Dr. John Gottman is world renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction, having conducted forty years of breakthrough research with thousands of couples: (https://www.gottman.com/about/ john-julie-gottman/)

According to studies, it takes at least two positive statements to offset one negative one. John Gottman of the University of Washington goes even further, suggesting five positive things for every negative for married couples.

Here are some of the most powerful negative words you should avoid like the plague:

Negative Words

You always… or You never…. These absolutes are rarely accurate and can put your spouse’s defences up.

Why did you do that?! The tone of voice is important here. It can quickly turn from a simple question to an accusation of gross stupidity with the wrong tone.

Sarcasm. (the cutting/insulting kind) You might think it’s all fun and games, but your spouse might have a very different opinion about that.

Patronization. You know, those words that by themselves are positive but spoken with a certain tone turn it into an insult. Wow. You took out the trash. I’m so proud of you. It’s hard to get this across in writing. Something you would say to your kids when they accomplish something simple for the first time.

Insults. There are more of them than I care to name. They can really demoralize your spouse and destroy trust in your relationship faster than a stick of dynamite.

Nagging. This is something you really need to work on if you want a healthy marriage.

References and Further reading:

http://www.happywivesclub.com/10-things-ive-learned-about-the-power-of- words/

http://www.happywivesclub.com/how-to-protect-your-marriage-during- challenging-times/

http://www.happywivesclub.com/5-unique-ways-to-make-your-man-feel- special-in-5-minutes-or-less/

http://www.happywivesclub.com/top-5-regrets-from-the-dying/

http://www.happywivesclub.com/5-unique-ways-to-make-your-man-feel- special-in-5-minutes-or-less/

https://www.gottman.com/about/john-julie-gottman/

http://biblehub.com/kjv/john/1.htm

https://unveiledwife.com/our-words-are-powerful-in-marriage/

www.crosswalk.com/blogs/april-motl/the-power-of-words-in-your- marriage.html

The Bible book of Genesis 1: 1–30

The Bible book of John 1:1–5

The Bible book of Proverbs 18:21 http://biblehub.com/kjv/proverbs/18.htm

The Bible book of James 3:2 http://biblehub.com/james/3–2.htm

The Bible book of Job 22:28 http://biblehub.com/job/22–28.htm

‘The power of words —Words are free, its how you use them that may cost you’

written by Rev J Martin

Chapter 5

The Power of Words through Songs

The lyrics of a song are words that have impact by itself. When musical instruments complement a good lyric, a wonderfully composed piece of music emerges with life in it for the audience. Songs with positive words can have very positive impact to the human spirit, body, soul and mind. This is why the body can respond to songs through dancing, by tapping our feet, for instance, in the Irish tap

dancing.

A variety of forms of solo Irish dance have developed which are described as stepdance. These include the well-known modern stepdance performed competitively; old-style stepdance, which is closer in style to the dance practised by nineteenth-century travelling dance masters; and festival dance, which separated from modern stepdance over stylistic and administrative disputes in the mid- twentieth century.

Irish solo stepdances fall into two broad categories, based on the shoes worn: hard shoe (or heavy shoe) and soft shoe (or light shoe) dances. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_dance

The Strictly Come Dancing Show shown on the BBC—British Broadcasting Corporation—is very popular and it attracts viewers from around the world. The same goes with the very popular X Factor musical show. The Strictly Come Dancing Show showcases dancing in the competition while the X Factor on the other hand is a singing competition. Both shows demonstrate the power of words through songs and dancing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006m8dq http://www.itv.com/xfactor

Some songs and word titles

You’re The Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me by Gladys Knight and the Pips

Up on the Roof by James Taylor

The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston

He Went to Paris by Jimmy Buffett

Don’t Stop Believing by Journey

Oh! You Pretty Things! by David Bowie

Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin

Hallelujah Chorus by the Royal Choral Society has performed Handel’s Messiah on Good Friday at the Royal Albert Hall every year since 1876.

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

Amazing Grace is a Christian hymn published in 1779, with words written by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton (1725–1807).

The Jackson Five was an American music group formed in 1963 by the Jackson brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, and Tito. The quintet’s first singles were recorded at Steel town Records, a local label in their hometown of Gary, Indiana. Songs recorded at Steeltown included You’ve Changed, We Don’t Have To Be Over 21 (to Fall in Love) and Big Boy.

The psalmist says five times, Sing to the Lord a new song: Psalm 33:3, Psalm 96:1, Psalm 98:1, Psalm 144:9, and Psalm 149:1

Chapter 6

The Power of Words through Poems

We have read and heard some poems in recent times and indeed in the past from such famous poets as Ella Wheeler Wilcox,

Maya Angelou, Wole Soyinka, Jessie E. Sampter, Margaret Widdermer, Rita Banerjee, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Jose Olivarez. The powerful poems written by these poets are motivational and the effect of the words have impacted so many lives. The words from a powerful poem never goes away; it lingers on in our memory, it brings the best out from us, it can build us, it can spur us to greater heights. For example, let us look at Maya Angelou’s poem below.

The power of poetry makes it a real force to be reckoned with. Poetry can affect all generations and make people consider anything from love to loss; indeed, poetry does what little else can—it can inspire. The poet speaks to the reader intimately and exclusively, giving an insight into the inner workings of their minds, their ideas, their loves and hates. And if done well, the poem can illuminate parts of the reader’s life that had never been considered previously. See, for example: http://www.obv.org.uk/power-poetry

One of the poems that I really like and which suitably represents the power of words is the poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. The poem is in the public domain, here: www.poets.org/academy-american-poets/home

The Word originally appeared in New Thought Pastels (Elizabeth Towne, 1906). Ella Wheeler Wilcox was born on November 5, 1850, in Johnstown Centre, Wisconsin. Her poetry collections include Poems of Passion (W.B. Conkey Company, 1883) and Poems of Peace (Gay and Bird, 1906). She died on October 30, 1919

The Words of American poet and author Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919) are widely known around the world, even by people who have never heard her name:

Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone.

These  opening  lines  are  from her most  famous poem,  Solitude, published in the February 25, 1883 issue of The New York Sun.

The Word

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Oh, a word is a gem, or a stone, or a song, Or a flame, or a two-edged sword;

Or a rose in bloom, or a sweet perfume, Or a drop of gall is a word.

You may choose your word like a connoisseur, And polish it up with art,

But the word that sways, and stirs, and stays, Is the word that comes from the heart.

You may work on your word a thousand weeks, But it will not glow like one

That all unsought, leaps forth white hot, When the fountains of feeling run.

Source:  https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/word

Solitude is Ella Wheeler Wilcox’s most famous poem. The idea for the poem came as she was travelling to Madison, Wisconsin, to attend the governor’s inaugural ball. On her way to the celebration, there was a young woman dressed in black sitting across the aisle from her. The woman was crying. Miss Wheeler sat next to her and sought to comfort her for the rest of the journey. When they arrived, the poet was so unhappy that she could barely attend the festivities. As she looked at her own face in the mirror, she suddenly recalled the sorrowful widow. It was at that moment that she wrote the opening

lines of Solitude. It was first published in a 1883 issue of The New York Sun.

Solitude

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone.

For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own.

Sing, and the hills will answer; Sigh, it is lost on the air.

The echoes bound to a joyful sound, But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you; Grieve, and they turn and go.

They want full measure of all your pleasure, But they do not need your woe.

Be glad, and your friends are many; Be sad, and you lose them all.

There are none to decline your nectared wine, But alone you must drink life’s gall.

Feast, and your halls are crowded; Fast, and the world goes by.

Succeed and give, and it helps you live, But no man can help you die.

There is room in the halls of pleasure For a long and lordly train,

But one by one we must all file on Through the narrow aisles of pain.

Source:  https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/solitude/

Friendship After Love

by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

After the fierce midsummer all ablaze

Has burned itself to ashes, and expires In the intensity of its own fires,

There come the mellow, mild, St. Martin days Crowned with the calm of peace, but sad with haze.

So after Love has led us, till he tires

Of his own throes, and torments, and desires, Comes large-eyed friendship: with a restful gaze, He beckons us to follow, and across

Cool verdant vales we wander free from care. Is it a touch of frost lies in the air?

Why are we haunted with a sense of loss? We do not wish the pain back, or the heat; And yet, and yet, these days are incomplete

References and Further reading:

Source: https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/solitude/

www.poets.org/academy-american-poets/home

https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/word

https://americanliterature.com/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/poem/individuality

https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/solitude-by-ella-wheeler-wilcox

An acclaimed American poet, storyteller, activist, and autobiographer, Maya Angelou was born Marguerite Johnson in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou has had a broad career as a singer, dancer, actress, composer, and Hollywood’s first female black director, but is most famous as a writer, editor, essayist, playwright, and poet.

Still I Rise

by Maya Angelou, 1928–2014

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies,

You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom?

‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries?

Does my haughtiness offend you?

Don’t you take it awful hard

‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my own backyard.

You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes,

You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise

That I dance like I’ve got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise

Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise

I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise

Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise

Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise

I rise I rise

Source:    https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/maya-angelou

The words of the poem Still I rise is so beautiful that after many years it still sounds new. In fact the famous tennis player Serena Williams recited it before a tournament game and so many people heard the inspirational poem again. The words bring light, ray of hope, strength, positivity and desire to want to achieve! How lovely!

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me

by Maya Angelou

Shadows on the wall Noises down the hall

Life doesn’t frighten me at all

Bad dogs barking loud Big ghosts in a cloud

Life doesn’t frighten me at all

Mean old Mother Goose Lions on the loose

They don’t frighten me at all

Dragons breathing flame On my counterpane

That doesn’t frighten me at all.

I