Grant, said:
"Julia, listen to this from Sherman. Not bad." The letter he read was
this:
DEAR MR. BOK:--
I prefer not to make scraps of sentimental writing. When I write
anything I want it to be real and connected in form, as, for instance,
in your quotation from Lord Lytton's play of "Richelieu," "The pen is
mightier than the sword." Lord Lytton would never have put his
signature to so naked a sentiment. Surely I will not.
In the text there was a prefix or qualification:
Beneath the rule of men entirely great
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Now, this world does not often present the condition of facts herein
described. Men entirely great are very rare indeed, and even
Washington, who approached greatness as near as any mortal, found good
use for the sword and the pen, each in its proper sphere.
You and I have seen the day when a great and good man ruled this
country (Lincoln) who wielded a powerful and prolific pen, and yet had
to call to his assistance a million of flaming swords.
No, I cannot subscribe to your sentiment, "The pen is mightier than the
sword," which you ask me to write, because it is not true.
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