Who said “We cannot always oblige; but we can always speak obligingly.”?

Disputed

It's credited to Voltaire, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Voltaire.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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APA

“We cannot always oblige; but we can always speak obligingly.” [Quotation attributed to Voltaire]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28127-we-cannot-always-oblige-but-we-can-always/

MLA

“We cannot always oblige; but we can always speak obligingly.” Attributed to Voltaire. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28127-we-cannot-always-oblige-but-we-can-always/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“We cannot always oblige; but we can always speak obligingly.” Attributed to Voltaire. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28127-we-cannot-always-oblige-but-we-can-always/.

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