“Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint.”
Source: Wall and Piece
Source: Going Postal
“Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint.”
Source: Wall and Piece
“Speak more softly to be better heard by a deaf public.”
“Sometimes we will speak softly and carry a large Javelin.”
Source: President Biden says on new aid to Ukraine, putting a twist on Roosevelt's phrase.
1900s, The Strenuous Life: Essays and Addresses (1900), National Duties
Context: Right here let me make as vigorous a plea as I know how in favor of saying nothing that we do not mean, and of acting without hesitation up to whatever we say. A good many of you are probably acquainted with the old proverb: "Speak softly and carry a big stick—you will go far." If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble; and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power.
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”
“the voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls”
Ch. XV : The Peace of Righteousness http://books.google.com/books?id=Io4fAAAAIAAJ&q=%22The+only+safe+rule+is+to+promise+little+and+faithfully+to+keep+every+promise+to+speak+softly+and+carry+a+big+stick%22&pg=PA537#v=onepage
1910s, Theodore Roosevelt — An Autobiography (1913)
“If people could treat others as though they were speaking face to face, that would be huge.”
As quoted in "The Encyclopedist’s Lair" in The New York Times (19 November 2007)
Context: There’s plenty of rude stuff online. People say things online that they would be ashamed to say face to face. If people could treat others as though they were speaking face to face, that would be huge.