What did Teddy Roosevelt's saying Walk softly and carry a big stick mean?

Answer 1

Though it has been adapted to many different uses and similar sayings the original is "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far"

Taken directly.

"A proverb advising the tactic of caution and non-aggression, backed up by the ability to do violence if required."

Answer 2

'Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick' are the famous words that accompany President Theodore Roosevelt's Big Stick ideology for foreign policy. The concept includes negotiating peacefully - walking softly - while still threatening with the military - carrying the big stick. Experts generally say that this ideology resembles Machiavellian ideals.

Answer 3

Roosevelt attributed the saying to a West African proverb, but the true origin has been a subject of some dispute. The phrase means to engage in a negotiation peacefully and politely while allowing one's adversary to see that one is prepared to act with force if negotiations fail. In modern culture, the pistol on a police officer's hip does not often need to be drawn to enforce an instruction. The possibility of it being drawn is usually sufficient to obtain compliance.