Speak softly and carry a big stick.

说话温和,手持大棒。

熟悉历史的朋友,一定知道美国总统罗斯福的大棒政策。偶尔从网上看到西北工业大学材料科学与工程系益明星同学曾撰文称“二战时候的美国总统罗斯福有句名言 “讲话要和气,但是手中一定要有大棒”。其实他犯了一个美国文化背景的常识性失误。因为此罗斯福非二战时的罗斯福,而是西奥多•罗斯福Theodore Roosevelt(1858-1919),俗称老罗斯福,提倡大棒政策即以军事为背景推进外交的美国第26任总统。“大棒”一词便来自他在1901年所 作的一次演讲

There is a homely adage which runs,"Speak softly and carry a big stick;you will go far." If the American nation will speak softly and yet build and keep at a pitch of the highest training a thoroughly efficient navy,the Monroe Doctrine will go far.(Theodore Roosevelt,Speech at Minnesota State Fair,September2,1901)

有句众所周知的格言“说话温和而手持大棒,你才能走得远”。如果美国能够以温和的口吻说话,而且建立起一支彻底高效率并能维持高度训练后最高状态的海军,门罗主义就能走得远。

生动报刊实例

Le Figaro quoted Teddy Roosevelt's (Teddy 特迪(男子名, Edward 或 Theodore 的昵称) famous advice to "speak softly and carry a big stick."The Economist pointed out that Clinton does just the opposite :speaks loudly and carries a twig.(St.Petersburg Times,October,22,1993)

费加罗报引用了特迪罗斯福的忠告“说话温和,手持大棒。”而《Economist》杂志则指出,克林顿正在做完全相反的事:说话吓死人,手持小枝条。

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