Who said “The greatest cunning is to have none at all.”?

Misattributed

Not Carl Sandburg. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundListed as misattributed to Carl Sandburg; no source in their known works.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

APA

“The greatest cunning is to have none at all.” [Quotation attributed to Carl Sandburg]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12338-the-greatest-cunning-is-to-have-none-at/

MLA

“The greatest cunning is to have none at all.” Attributed to Carl Sandburg. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12338-the-greatest-cunning-is-to-have-none-at/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“The greatest cunning is to have none at all.” Attributed to Carl Sandburg. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12338-the-greatest-cunning-is-to-have-none-at/.