Speak softly and carry a big stick.

Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.

Walk softly but carry a big stick

Teddy Roosevelt . . . once said, 'Speak softly and carry a big stick.' Jimmy Carter wants to speak loudly and carry a fly swatter.

Instead of Theodore Roosevelt's 'talk softly and carry a big stick,' we have yelled and carried a toothpick, ... And what has happened? The people we are protecting are driven out or killed or raped, the people that are under the shelter of the U.S. are no longer in Kosovo.

Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly