Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that
Hear now the words of Mark Twain, who clothed truth in wit and wisdom: “Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.” In this teaching he draws the veil from illusion, reminding us that sound and spectacle, though stirring to the heart, achieve nothing without action. For it is not the thunder—loud and mighty though it be—that cleaves the tree, but the silent strike of lightning that brings true power to bear.
The thunder is the voice of appearance, the swelling of promises, the grand display of words. Men are often swayed by its echo, mistaking sound for strength and noise for meaning. Kings have thundered in their boasts, generals in their speeches, and orators in their cries. Yet without the force of deeds, their thunder fades into the winds, leaving no mark upon the earth.
But the lightning, though brief and often unseen until its stroke, is the symbol of action. It is swiftness, precision, and effect. Where thunder only proclaims, lightning transforms. So too in the life of man: talk may inspire, but only deeds alter the course of destiny. The ancients said, “By their fruits you shall know them”—and Twain, in his own tongue, speaks the same.
Thus the lesson is twofold: honor the power of words, for they stir hearts like thunder, but remember always that words are but heralds of the greater force. It is action, the lightning of will and courage, that builds, destroys, redeems, and creates. Without lightning, thunder is but hollow echo; without action, words are but empty sound.
So let the generations be guided: speak with care, but act with greater care. Let your deeds be the lightning that justifies your thunder, and let not your life be a storm of noise without the strike of purpose. For the world remembers not the rumble of speech, but the flash of action that carved valleys and shaped the heavens.
Tthanh
Twain's quote is a reminder that impact doesn’t come from showy gestures or loud statements. It’s the quieter, more focused effort—symbolized by the lightning—that brings real change. This makes me think about how people often confuse appearance with achievement. How do we stop being distracted by the noise and focus on producing the lightning in our own lives? Is it more important to be impactful than to just be heard?
NTNguyen Tuyet
This quote is so fitting when it comes to ambition. It reminds me of how many people make a lot of noise about their dreams and aspirations but don’t always take the steps to turn them into reality. Are we too focused on impressing others with our talk rather than letting our actions speak for us? How can we be more like lightning and less like thunder, bringing about real change through our actions?
HVCong Hieu Vo
Mark Twain's words seem to draw a clear line between surface-level spectacle and real substance. Thunder might be what gets noticed, but it’s the lightning—the action, the result—that truly makes a difference. Does this mean that the most powerful people or ideas are often quiet and effective, while the loudest ones are just noise? How do we become more focused on producing results rather than just making noise?
MTVi Minh Tri
This quote really makes me think about the difference between talk and action. Thunder may get attention and sound impressive, but it's the lightning that truly makes an impact. Does this apply to how we live our lives? We might talk a lot about our goals or ideas, but how often do we follow through with action? How do we ensure that our own 'lightning' is what defines us and not just the noise we make?