Herbert Bayard Swope quotes
1882 – 1958 · United States, 20th century · Journalist and newspaper editor
About Herbert Bayard Swope
Prominent in early–mid 20th‑century American journalism, Swope was an influential editor at the New York World. He championed a forthright editorial voice and the idea that newspapers should balance what readers want with what they ought to be offered. He is often linked to popularizing the phrase “Cold War.”
Works: Editorial leadership at the New York World; notable influence on journalistic language
Quotes
“I can't give you a sure-fire formula for success, but I can give you a formula for failure: try to please everybody all the time.”
Source: no specific work is documented · Check the source
Disputed attributionWhat we know
- What is documented
- Modern quotation collections and reference sites repeatedly attribute the wording to Herbert Bayard Swope, but no primary source (speech, dated column, or manuscript) has been identified.
- What remains uncertain
- Attribution is disputed: consistent in secondary sources and likely genuine, but not firmly verified by a contemporaneous primary citation.
The line is a practical warning from early 20th‑century journalism: trying to please everyone destroys focus and a clear voice. Commonly credited to Herbert Bayard Swope, it’s used as advice for leaders and editors who must choose priorities over popularity.