The Bird That Drinks Blood

A crime committed with a brush should not be taken lightly. Many writers say the brush is mightier than the sword. However, many of them feel wronged when told that crimes committed with a brush should receive a greater punishment than those committed with a sword. This is unjust. If the brush is truly mightier than the sword, its responsibility should also be heavier. Forgery of official documents can be considered treason committed with a brush, and therefore, I believe it should at the very least receive the same punishment as treason committed with a sword, if not greater. And I would consider that a sword's respect for the brush. - Excerpt from "The Bird That Drinks Blood" by Lee Yeongdo -