Knowledge is Power: Origin, Meaning, Explanation (Essay, Speech)

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Knowledge is Power: Origin, Meaning, Explanation (Essay, Speech)

Knowledge is Power: Origin (Essay on Knowledge is Power)

This famous proverb comes from the Latin phrase “scientiapotentiaest” which is a Latin aphorism attributed to Sir Francis Bacon although it is not precisely present in his English or Latin writings. However, the phrase “ipsascientiapotestasest” meaning ‘knowledge itself is power’ is present in Bacon’s MeditationesSacrae (1597). The exact phrase was first coined by Thomas Hobbesin the 1688 version of the book Leviathanwho was a secretary to Bacon in his youth days.

“No thief, however skilful, can rob one of knowledge, and that is why knowledge is the best and safest treasure to acquire.” – L. Frank Baum.

Meaning and Insights

This proverb held true when it was first coined and still does. If one has knowledge with him, he has a power which no force of the universe can steal or take away from him. Knowledge is what makes one human being different from the other. It gives us the power to be different and be stronger in every sense from others around us. It’s only education that can make one human being superior from the other. We gather knowledge from experiences. These can be ours or others. And these experiences make us wiser, more mature and more enabled to take all kinds of decisions correctly.

Examples and Explanation

We come through many examples of how knowledge is power in our daily life but do not notice them. There are well-read people all around us having the power to make a change in the lives of people all around them. A teacher who is filled with knowledge has the power to make or break a human being. They have the power to impart education and make their students succeed in life. And it is not a hidden fact that it actually happens that teachers strongly impact the psychology and mindset of their students. They are the ones who allow them to inculcate their potential to the maximum of it. Doctors are well-learned people. They are worshipped by the common people and are famously put equivalent to god. They are highly knowledgeable and it is their knowledge which gives them the power to save lives of human beings. This power which they have is only exclusive to them because of their knowledge. Many other professionals such as lawyers are able to help people and make an impact on their lives is all because of the knowledge that they have.

Knowledge is Power: Origin, Meaning, Explanation (Essay, Speech)
Knowledge is Power: Origin, Meaning, Explanation (Essay, Speech)

If we as human beings were not keen to gather more awareness of our surroundings, we won’t have developed and been able to face the creatures of the wild. It’s our comprehension which enabled us to survive even after being physically weak. Thus it can be very well said that since ancient times, awareness is what has given man power. Power to be different, the power to be stronger and power to think. With the use of our knowledge, we have been enabled to progress so much more in the field of science and find cures for diseases and make life more comfortable which couldn’t have been done without it.

If one has the right amount of understanding, it does not matter what their appearance or physical condition is. So many highly esteemed people are known in the world for their contribution towards the world and not because of their looks which they had only been able to do with the help of their knowledge. Stephen Hawking is one such person who is a true example of the fact that knowledge can make a physically weak person, one of the most influential on the planet.

Conclusion on Speech on Knowledge is Power

Comprehension is a limitless ocean in which one can go as deep as he or she wants. It is awareness of one’s own self which if one has, they can focus better on gathering external knowledge and have the power to make an impact on the people around them and then in the world.