Who said “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”?

Verified

Theodore Roosevelt. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter to Henry L. Sprague (26 January 1900); this is the first known use of this phrase, which became a signature motto of Roosevelt's after he used it in a speech as vice president at the Minnesota State Fair

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“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
— Theodore Roosevelt
VerifiedLetter to Henry L. Sprague (26 January 1900); this is the first known use of this phrase, which became a signature motto of Roosevelt's after he used it in a speech as vice president at the Minnesota State Fair · evidencePower

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to Henry L. Sprague (26 January 1900); this is the first known use of this phrase, which became a signature motto of Roosevelt's after he used it in a speech as vice president at the Minnesota State Fair.

APA

Roosevelt, T. (n.d.). Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33993-speak-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick-you/

MLA

Roosevelt, Theodore. “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33993-speak-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick-you/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Roosevelt, Theodore. “Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/33993-speak-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick-you/.

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