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  • Essay / The truth behind the proverb “Actions speak louder than words”: analysis of literature

    Saying only lasts the moment you say it, doing lasts a lifetime after having been done. Considering Benjamin Franklin's aphorism: "It is better done well than well said." actions speak louder than words. To prove it, extracts from six different literary works and personal experience will have to provide knowledge. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In everyday life, as in the past, actions have always spoken louder than words. For example in Maus II, a German soldier says: "If you know who she is, push her forward or you will all suffer!" » (p. 66) referring to Anja. Even though at that time the punishment was cruel and merciless, no one wanted to abandon Anja and suffered for her. This shows true friendship even in crucial circumstances. Another example where actions spoke louder than words is found in The Interesting Tale of Olaudah Equiano, when an African boy who would soon become a slave encountered the technology of the time and said, "I also saw for the first time the quadrant... they finally took power. noticed my surprise, and one of them…made me look through it” (p. 10). Even though he was a slave, a sailor actually possessed human traits unlike other white men of that period. The sailor's intentions not only brought happiness to the young boy, but also showed that not all white men were ruthless and cruel. During the darkest times, actions can still light up the world. Sometimes even the smallest actions speak louder than their words. For example, in John Smith's The General History of Virginia, it is said that in the end, "Pocahontas's servants brought her so many provisions that saved many of their lives, that otherwise, for all this, they would have died of death." hunger” (p. 17). . Multiple conflicts broke out between the natives and the Europeans during their common life. To show their gratitude and regret, saving their lives was the least the natives could do rather than just saying thank you. In comparison, in Laura Hillenbrand's Unbroken, Louie is heated and wants nothing to do with his current life, "Louie resisted, an argument ensued, and Louie threw some clothes in a bag and stormed off toward the front door… ordered him to stay… his mother rushed to the kitchen and came out with a sandwich… Louie stuffed it behind his back and left” (p. 15). Even though Louie was a troublemaker and gave his parents headaches every day, his parents loved him regardless. Until the end, they continue to share their love with him through a small act like providing him with food. The smallest act of kindness can keep someone going. Trying and failing is 100% better than saying and regretting not trying. To emphasize, in Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin attempted to improve himself as a man but failed, he said: "...I never achieved perfection...but I felt small, and yet by this effort , I was a better and happier man than I was. otherwise it should have been if I hadn’t tried it…” (p. 145). Benjamin learned through his efforts that perfection cannot be achieved. However, he doesn't regret trying. Furthermore, in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter, "the minister reached for the child's other hand and took it...a surge of new life flowed through him" (p. 239). For some time now, Dimmesdale had been reluctant to accept his sin. After this little..