20 Famous Quotes That Have Been Wrongly Attributed

This quote is attributed to Marie Antoinette to show that she was out of touch with reality, but there is no concrete evidence that she ever said it. Variations of this quote appear earlier, and this attribution seems more like propaganda than an actual record of her words. 

People swear that Sherlock Holmes said this, but this exact line does not appear in the Holmes stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle. It’s a line that has spread through later adaptations and parodies until it has become “canon.” So yes, it sounds right, but it’s not actually a line from Doyle.

Casablanca is full of memorable lines, but this famous line isn’t one of them. It has come to be associated with Humphrey Bogart’s character over time because it’s catchy and seems to fit the scene. Hollywood gave you the vibe, not the exact quote.

This quote is often attributed to Winston Churchill, which instantly lends it authority. Researchers have found this quote circulating without a reliable source attributing it to Churchill, so the attribution does not hold up. It’s still good advice, but we cannot say with certainty that he is the author.

Albert Einstein is widely credited with this quote, even though there is no concrete evidence that he wrote or spoke it. The phrase first appeared much later in a printed work and seems to have circulated in self-help books and popular commentary until Einstein’s name became associated with it. If you’ve used it to give a scientific tone to an argument, you’re not alone.

This quote is widely attributed to Gandhi, but the exact wording does not appear in any of his known writings or speeches. It resembles a condensed paraphrase of the ideas associated with him, which was then refined into a slogan that people could chant. 

People quote Voltaire, but this sentence was written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall (under a pseudonym) to summarize Voltaire’s attitude. Over time, this summary came to be regarded as a direct quote. This is a classic case of interpretation being mistaken for a verbatim transcription.

This quote is so often attributed to Edmund Burke that it seems official, but it does not appear in his writings. The attribution emerged later and has been widely identified as false. It is a powerful piece of rhetoric, but it is not reliable.

Both Mark Twain and Churchill are cited, but researchers have found no solid evidence linking the quote to either of these men. Variations of the quote existed previously, and the famous names appear to have been added for greater impact. This is a perfect example of a quote about the spread of lies that is itself spreading like a lie.

This witty remark is generally attributed to Freud, which is fitting given his reputation for symbolism. It highlights the irony of overanalyzing everything—which is precisely what Freud is famous for. This joke suits him so well that it has been included in his biography, but he never actually said it.

This quote is often mistakenly attributed to various famous women, including Marilyn Monroe, but it was actually coined by historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. It was first used in an academic context and then spread into popular culture. If you’ve seen it on a mug, you’ve seen academia go viral.

Gandhi is often cited as the source, but no definitive example of him using this exact phrase has been found. A similar version appears in a text about Gandhi, which may explain why this attribution has become widespread. You are still welcome to share the message, but please do not consider this wording to be a verified quote from Gandhi.

Hippocrates is often credited with this quote, but researchers and scholars have noted that there is no evidence he actually wrote it. The quote appears to be a modern invention that borrows Hippocrates’ authority to seem timeless. It is more of a wellness slogan than an ancient manuscript.

Everyone loves to attribute this quote to P. T. Barnum, a showman famous for his hoaxes, but there is no evidence that he actually said it. The phrase was circulating among con artists and gamblers, and later writers associated it with Barnum because it seemed to fit him. 

This statement is attributed to Machiavelli as if it were a direct quote from The Prince, but the exact phrase does not appear there. The idea has older roots, and the concise wording is more of a later moral summary than a literal quote from him. If you want to be historically accurate, say “Machiavellian” rather than “Machiavelli said.”

This quote is often regarded as a sincere confession by the young George Washington, but it actually comes from a famous story about a cherry tree told by a later biographer. Historians point out that there is no evidence that this episode actually took place as described. It is less of a “quote” and more of a “national folktale.”

Popular culture insists that Captain Kirk said it, but the exact line never appears in the original Star Trek episodes or movies. Some similar quotes sound alike, which is how this clear and memorable version came to be. If you’ve quoted it dramatically, you’re drawing on the collective memory, not a script.

This motto is often attributed to American football coach Vince Lombardi, but it actually dates back to UCLA coach Henry “Red” Sanders. Lombardi helped popularize it, which is why his name has become the one most commonly associated with it. Sports quotes love famous coaches, and this one has found two.

Mark Twain is often credited with this, even though its earliest appearances were not linked to him. Researchers have discovered that this quip was already circulating before that, with varying attributions, before Twain’s name became the favorite. It was attributed to him because it’s very easy to imagine Twain saying it with a wink.

Oscar Wilde is generally considered the genius behind this quote, but there is no evidence that he actually said it. The phrase appeared much later, and Wilde’s name seems to have been added because it aptly sums up his way of life. If it helps you, you can always draw inspiration from it, but don’t cite it as a primary source.