[Vocabulary] Take things always by their smooth handle

[gurpreetgill4u]

Hello,

Could you help me to understand what does smooth handle in the phrase "Take things always by their smooth handle" mean?

Does it mean "to look at a situation in a positive and least critical way"?

Thanks for you attention and valuable time.

 

[gurpreetgill4u]

I heard it in "The Jefferson Hour show 635".

 

[GoesStation]

The expression is discussed at the Monticello web site*. Its meaning is evidently a matter of debate. The conclusion is "...without explicit elucidation from Jefferson himself, each reader is free to make an individual interpretation."

*Monticello is the grand house on a hill built by both paid and enslaved workers for Thomas Jefferson.

 

[tedmc]

I think it means "to deal with/handle a task the easy way", to avoid inconvenience/hassles, though it may not be the best way to do it.