“The strokes of the pen need deliberation as much as the sword needs swiftness.”

— Julia Ward Howe

As quoted in Stories Behind the Hymns That Inspire America: Songs That Unite Our Nation (2003) by Ace Collins, p. 36.

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Julia Ward Howe 40

American abolitionist, social activist, and poet 1819–1910

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Context: A stroke of the sword that does not hit its target is the sword stroke of death; you reach over it to strike the winning blow. Your adversary's initiative having missed its mark, you turn the tables around and get the jump on your adversary.