Walk softly and carry a big stick

Meaning: Act gently but maintain the power to enforce if needed.

Origin: Theodore Roosevelt's 1901 speech, describing his foreign policy.

Translations

• French: Parle doucement et porte un gros bâton (literally: Speak softly and carry a big stick)
• Spanish: Habla suave y lleva un gran garrote (literally: Speak softly and carry a big club)
• Japanese: 柔よく剛を制す (Jū yoku gō wo seisu) (literally: Softness controls hardness)

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