There's a common saying that claims "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me". It seems to me that whoever first said this had to have been a very popular person.

Because while stick and stones can and probably do break bones, that pain can heal and stop hurting, perhaps not quickly but the pain will heal eventually. Whereas pain inflicted by the verbal attack sometimes never heals.

The pain of words can stay with a person for their entire life.

A hurtful word, an angry gesture, or a shouted insult can be a lot more damaging then sticks or stones. Words can tear a person apart from the inside, or, given enough, can drive a person to self hatred and possible suicide.

So while sticks and stones always cause hurt and may look far more intimidating, words hurt for longer and much more deeper.