The money was all appropriated for the top in the hopes that it would trickle down to the needy. Mr. Hoover was an engineer. He knew that water trickles down. Put it uphill and let it go and it will reach the driest little spot. But he didn’t know that money trickled up. Give it to the people at the bottom and the people at the top will have it before night, anyhow. But it will at least have passed through the poor fellows hands.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist

“And Here’s How It All Happened,” St. Petersburg Times (1932-11-27)
    (Source)

An abbreviated form, used in memes, omits sentences 2-4, but is often presented in text as the full quotation.

Alternately dated 26 Nov 1932, and Nov 1928, but the newspaper image for the article is clearly dated 27 Nov 1932.