17 Famous Quotes That Were Misattributed
Many popular sayings were credited to the wrong person, creating myths that persist to this day.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Quotations carry weight, especially when linked to respected figures. However, not all attributions are accurate. Over time, misquotes spread through books and social media, cementing false connections between words and people. This list reveals 17 well-known lines that were mistakenly linked to famous names, setting the record straight.
1. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Not Gandhi
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Though widely linked to Mahatma Gandhi, he never said these exact words. The phrase is a paraphrase of his actual teachings. Its simplified form likely emerged decades later.
2. “Let them eat cake.” – Not Marie Antoinette
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Historians agree there’s no evidence Marie Antoinette ever uttered this line. It appeared in print before she was even queen. The quote was likely revolutionary propaganda.
3. “The ends justify the means.” – Not Machiavelli
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Often tied to Niccolò Machiavelli, the phrase doesn’t appear in The Prince. His writings are more nuanced than the saying suggests. The simplification distorts his actual political philosophy.
4. “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” – Not Voltaire
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This quote was actually written by biographer Evelyn Beatrice Hall to summarize Voltaire’s beliefs. Over time, it became falsely attributed to him directly. It remains one of the most misquoted expressions about free speech.
5. “Elementary, my dear Watson.” – Not Sherlock Holmes
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Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective never said this exact line in his stories. The phrase emerged in later adaptations. It’s now inseparable from the Holmes image despite being inaccurate.
6. “If you build it, they will come.” – Not Field of Dreams
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In the 1989 film, the actual line is “If you build it, he will come.” The plural version took hold in pop culture. Misremembering transformed the meaning entirely.
7. “Money is the root of all evil.” – Not the Bible
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The actual biblical phrase is “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Dropping the first words changes the meaning significantly.
8. “Houston, we have a problem.” – Not Apollo 13 Astronauts
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The real phrase, spoken by Jack Swigert, was “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” Hollywood tweaked it for dramatic effect.
9. “The proof is in the pudding.” – Not the Original Saying
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The full proverb is “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” The shorter form loses its original meaning about testing results.
10. “Nice guys finish last.” – Not Leo Durocher
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Baseball manager Leo Durocher’s actual words were about a specific team’s poor performance. The media condensed it into a universal saying.
11. “A lie can travel halfway around the world before the truth puts on its shoes.” – Not Mark Twain
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Though frequently credited to Twain, there’s no record that he said it. Similar phrases existed in earlier centuries, including those from Jonathan Swift.
12. “Curiosity killed the cat.” – Not the Original Meaning
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The original phrase was “Care killed the cat,” with “care” meaning worry or sorrow. Over time, “care” was replaced with “curiosity,” shifting the meaning toward inquisitiveness.
13. “Play it again, Sam.” – Not Casablanca
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In Casablanca, Ingrid Bergman’s character actually says, “Play it, Sam. Play ‘As Time Goes By.’” The altered version likely emerged from repeated pop culture references.
14. “Luke, I am your father.” – Not Star Wars
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Darth Vader’s real line is “No, I am your father.” The incorrect version became the standard retelling in parodies and conversations. It’s one of cinema’s most persistent misquotes.
15. “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” – Not Exactly Twain
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Mark Twain’s real statement was, “The report of my death was an exaggeration.” Over time, people rephrased it into the version we hear today. The sentiment is the same, but the words aren’t.
16. “Beam me up, Scotty.” – Not Star Trek
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The exact phrase never appears in the original series. Variations are spoken, but this concise version became the fan shorthand. It’s more iconic than anything actually said on screen.
17. “Jack of all trades, master of none.” – Missing the Rest
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The complete phrase is “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one.” The omitted part changes it from a compliment to an insult.