I think that you've hit the nail on the head with words can be used to decieve whereas with actions this is harder as it is right in front of you. With words, you can lie, cheat and decieve and imapact in someones whole life by one simple word.

I remember watching Dr Who (featuring David Tennant and Billie Piper) where the doctor brought the prime minister down with four small words

"Doesnt she look tired"

This circulated around and people lost faith in her abilities. She didnt look tired - a complete lie - yet the power of those words were immence.

Yes, this is fiction, though it can be known in reality. There have been many leaders in the world brought down by words, people killed because of rumours and lies. Words are power!

Words have the power to change things either for the better or the worst. There is no stronger thing than words.

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."--U.S. Declaration of Independence

Look at tht above statement from the decleration of independence. A whole country lives by the words that some people said years before. If that isnt proof of power within words then nothing is.

Not only outright lies are powerful but gossip is a powerful thing too. Just because you 'streach the truth' a little bit and tell a friend about your perspective of something (whether it's true or not), it may become a misunderstanding and cause some damage.

(and this is a common theme in some books and movies and even real life)

Words are powerful. Especially in books that can be sold and bought all over the place. Words transfer ideas. Many books of ideas, such as during the Renaissance, have spread beliefs and caused changes in government and society. Even books that are not a book of nonfiction can spread beliefs or somehow influence people. J.K. Rowling's series has influenced many children to read more. Her books have opened many minds to the enjoyment of reading words. There are even some books out there that make people think about the future and what could happen. In the Shadow Children series their is a population control law and it makes me think that maybe one day the amount of children we can give birth to will be limited.

Even though pictures are said to be worth a 1,000 words, some things are better or can only be expressed by words.

I believe words have a very big amount of power. You see we express ourselves with words. We communicate with words. We write in words. Basically, everything has a connection to words. They way we present them can be basically in any way possible. We can be good or bad, happy or sad, excited or bored, entertained or annoyed, and so many more expressions. I think we must be careful they way in which we say things, that's why they say we must think before we say something because there are people who might misunderstand what we are trying to say. Personally, I loveeee words. I'm a huge reader/writer, I'm starting to write but I love it. I express myself no matter what I'm feeling and there's so many words I can use, it's wonderful. Think about it, what would life be with no words?