Speech as Power: Both a Right and a Responsibility

Speech is a powerful phenomenon. Its freedom is both to be extolled and feared. It calls for an acute exercise of judgement, since both the limitation of speech and the excess of it can lead to dire consequences.

The Universal House of Justice, 1988 Dec 29, Individual Rights and Freedoms, p. 7

Through the lens of social media, we currently see intensifying energy to influence or incite others to action. Both spoken and written words carry weight and must be considered as much a responsibility as a right.

How many thousands of pop songs have been written on the theme of “I’m sorry about what I said, and I didn’t really mean it”? There is ultimately regret from speech that causes irreparable damage and satisfaction with speech that inspires and encourages. Human beings have several powers specific to our species that carry with them significant responsibility. For example, we can make music, we can imagine something and then create it, we can choose, we can build systems and destroy them, and we can use sophisticated and nuanced words in multiple ways.

Think of speech as power. The problem with having so much power is that we may not use it appropriately. Throughout history, people desiring power manipulated entire populations to reach their aims using the power speech. Others created ideas and systems so inspiring as to remain both positive and effective for centuries.

Bahá’u’lláh wrote,

Every word is endowed with a spirit, therefore the speaker or expounder should carefully deliver his words at the appropriate time and place, for the impression which each word maketh is clearly evident and perceptible. 

Quoted in Inspiring the Heart, p. 129

In the same tablet, Bahá’u’lláh continued,

One word is like unto springtime causing the tender saplings of the rose-garden of knowledge to become verdant and flourishing, while another word is even as a deadly poison. It behooveth a prudent man of wisdom to speak with utmost leniency and forbearance so that the sweetness of his words may induce everyone to attain that which befitteth man’s station…

Quoted in Inspiring the Heart, p. 129

The principle of moderation

This dual responsibility/right is a concept that has been echoed throughout all the world religions as the principle of moderation.

In Islam we find,

Every praiseworthy characteristic has two blameworthy poles. Generosity is the middle between miserliness and extravagance. Courage is the middle between cowardice and recklessness. Humanity has been commanded to avoid every such blameworthy trait.

Lisan al-Arab 15/209

Bahá’u’lláh wrote:

In all matters moderation is desirable. If a thing is carried to excess, it will prove a source of evil.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh revealed after the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 69

Moderation in matters of speech

Not everything that a man knoweth can be disclosed, nor can everything that he can discloseth be regarded as timely, nor can every timely utterance be considered as suited to the capacity of those who hear it.’ Such is the consummate wisdom to be observed in thy pursuits. Be not oblivious thereof, if thou wishest to be a man of action under all conditions. First diagnose the disease and identify the malady, then prescribe the remedy, for such is the perfect method of the skilful physician.

ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, p. 268 

Speech, its many uses and consequences, is a frequent topic in the Baháʼí writings and has been a theme of ongoing guidance over the years from the Universal House of Justice, governing body of the Baháʼís of the world. There are admonitions for individuals to reflect, to be fair, and to ensure that decisions are based on fact and not opinion.

Various dictionary definitions define utterance as the smallest unit of speech followed by a distinct pause. Bahá’u’lláh mentions that His faith is based on the power of utterance which He defines as influential speech informed by the heart and soul, having penetrating influence through purity of intent and desire to align with the Will of God.1 If we consider all these together, speech is indeed a significant power. The many channels we currently have available to express ourselves using language add even more power to this capacity.

If “the pen is mightier than the sword”, and we know that what we write has an effect that can endure for centuries, it becomes supremely important to consider the potential consequences of anything we say or write before putting it out there to exert influence. Bahá’u’lláh wrote about orienting speech to goodness, truthfulness, sincerity, and understanding:

…victory should be achieved through speech and utterance, that Our servants throughout the earth may thereby become the recipients of divine good.

Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 197-198

We ask thee to reflect upon that which hath been revealed, and to be fair and just in thy speech, that perchance the splendors of the daystar of truthfulness and sincerity may shine forth, and may deliver thee from the darkness of ignorance, and illumine the world with the light of knowledge.

Bahá’u’lláh, Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, pp. 10-11 

There are particular qualities brought to speech from our attitudes. One is described above as the orientation of shedding light rather than darkness and of seeking receptivity to divine good. Another quality is the practice of humility. ʻAbdu’l-Bahá tells us to consider others as equal to us, and to listen respectfully to their ideas.

“…we should not belittle anyone and call him ignorant, saying: `You know not, but I know’. Rather, we should look upon others with respect, and when attempting to explain and demonstrate, we should speak as if we are investigating the truth, saying: `Here these things are before us. Let us investigate to determine where and in what form the truth can be found.’ The teacher should not consider himself as learned and others ignorant. Such a thought breedeth pride, and pride is not conducive to influence. The teacher should not see in himself any superiority; he should speak with the utmost kindliness, lowliness and humility, for such speech exerteth influence and educateth the souls.

Selections from the Writings of ʻAbdu’l-Bahá, p. 30

“If they agree upon a subject,” ʻAbdu’l-Bahá has explained, “even though it be wrong, it is better than to disagree and be in the right, for this difference will produce the demolition of the divine foundation.Though one of the parties may be in the right and they disagree, that will be the cause of a thousand wrongs, but if they agree and both parties are in the wrong, as it is in unity, the truth will be revealed and the wrong made right.” Implicit in this approach to the social utility of thought is the profundity of the change in the standard of public discussion intended by Bahá’u’lláh for a mature society.

The Universal House of Justice, 1988 Dec 29, Individual Rights and Freedoms, p. 7 

These concepts may sound like unachievable ideals, but as we strive to achieve them, the methods become available to us. Here is one such example that could inspire others to find their own ways into practical application. An Edmonton Baháʼí who certainly understands the power of speech is Tara Rout, a lawyer who earns her living with the power of speech. In addition to her law practice, Tara hosts events which has involved a lot of marketing and social media engagement with the public. On the topic of using speech with wisdom, she said:

“I have learned some surprisingly spiritual principles through the experience of marketing. We are all spiritual beings, and how we engage with people, we affect their spiritual experience. It’s a way in which good business practice really aligns with high-minded ideals. I’m not an expert by any stretch, but there are three things I have learned to keep in mind when creating social media text. These are:

1. 1. Provide information, not an explanation
   2. Don’t apologize. Accept responsibility
   3. Gratitude is the only commentary worth adding to whatever point I’m making.”

She explains these as, “If I provide information rather than trying to explain or justify myself, I avoid the trap of endless dispute and dissension. People are free to do what they will with the information. When I accept responsibility instead of apologizing, it brings the discussion back to a neutral space, and towards meaningful resolution.

This prayer by Bahá’u’lláh is a beautiful reminder to speak and write in ways that lead to building bridges using words that heal. When we do, our speech is infused with the power of the Creator and we gain insights into realities that might otherwise have escaped us.

I beseech thee… To grant that my speech may bear a trace of the influence of thine own exalted word, attracting thereby the realities of all created things.2