We all love sharing quotes—axioms, proverbs, and famous lines from history, politics, and pop culture. But with so much quoting, mix-ups are bound to happen! Let’s explore ten famous quotes that are often misquoted, taken out of context, or simply misremembered.
Money, Money, Money
You’ve likely heard, “Money is the root of all evil.” However, the complete quote, found in the Bible, is: “The love of money is the root of all evil.” This changes the meaning considerably.
As written in the first book of Timothy (chapter six, verse ten): “For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows.” The key is the love, or obsessive desire, for money, not money itself. Money is a tool for living a comfortable life, but hoarding it obsessively crosses into “evil” territory.[1]
Elementary, My Dear!
Despite its popularity, Sherlock Holmes never actually said, “Elementary, my dear Watson” in any of Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories. Yet, it’s become one of the most quoted lines attributed to him, even mistakenly appearing in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations.
The quote is derived from two separate instances. Holmes says, “I have the advantage of knowing your habits, my dear Watson…” followed later by just “Elementary.” The combination stuck in the public consciousness, creating a memorable, albeit inaccurate, quote.[2]
Okay, Houston…
The famous line from Apollo 13, “Houston, we have a problem,” isn’t quite right. The actual quote was, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” On April 14, 1970, astronaut Jack Swigert reported an explosion with the words, “Okay, Houston, we’ve had a problem here.” Mission Commander Jim Lovell confirmed using the same tense.
The movie changed it to the present tense to heighten the drama, allowing viewers to experience the crisis in real-time, as the characters desperately worked to figure out what was happening.[3]
No Cake for You!
Marie-Antoinette supposedly said, “Let them eat cake” upon learning that peasants had no bread. This quote is often used to illustrate the royal class’s detachment from the suffering of the poor. However, it’s highly unlikely she said that.
The quote appeared in Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s Confessions, penned in 1765. At that time, Marie-Antoinette was only nine years old and hadn’t even arrived in France. Some sources even trace the quote back to 1760, when she was just five. The cake comment has stuck to her name, despite historical inaccuracies.[4]
Ends and Means
Niccolò Machiavelli is often credited with saying, “The ends justify the means.” However, this exact quote isn’t found in his writings. Some historians suggest the Roman poet Ovid should be credited instead.
Machiavelli wrote concepts that are somewhat similar. In Discourses, he noted, “For although the act condemns the doer, the end may justify him…” while in The Prince, he wrote that a prince should focus on results, as “the vulgar are always taken by what a thing seems to be and by what comes of it.” These passages have been liberally reinterpreted over time, though the true essence of his teachings were more nuanced rather than a full endorsement of disregarding virtue and honor.[5]
Taste That Pudding
The familiar saying, “The proof is in the pudding” is an abbreviated version of an older proverb: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” This means that the true value of something can only be judged after experiencing it directly.
The expression originated with literal puddings, where taste was the only way to determine the quality of the food. Today, it’s used more metaphorically, but the underlying concept remains the same: judge by experience, not theory.[6]
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
“Blood, sweat, and tears” is often attributed to Winston Churchill, but his actual words were slightly different. On May 10, 1940, upon becoming Prime Minister, Churchill addressed the House of Commons. He said, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”
The phrase “blood, toil, tears, and sweat” warned of the difficult times ahead during World War II. Though similar, the inclusion of “toil” makes a significant difference.[7]
Survival of the Fittest
Although closely associated with Charles Darwin, the term “survival of the fittest” was coined by Herbert Spencer. Spencer drew parallels between Darwin’s theory of evolution and his own economic theories after reading On the Origin of Species.
In 1864, Spencer published Principles of Biology, using the phrase to describe how the strongest species are more likely to reproduce and pass on their genes. Darwin later embraced the saying, using it in his own work to encapsulate the essence of natural selection.[8]
Great Minds…
The saying, “Great minds think alike” is often used when two people reach the same conclusion. However, this is only half the quote. The full version is, “Great minds think alike, but fools seldom differ.”
The complete quote first appeared in written form in the early 17th century. By 1816, it was published in Carl Theodor von Unlanski’s biography, The Woful History of the Unfortunate Eudoxia.[9]
Help Yourself!
The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is widely believed to be in the Bible, but it isn’t. It’s a common misattribution, often falsely credited to Benjamin Franklin. The first verifiable use is in Algernon Sydney’s 1698 article, “Discourses Concerning Government.”
Ironically, the Bible often portrays God helping the helpless, contradicting the idea that one must first help themselves. Passages like Isaiah 25:4 and Romans 5:6 emphasize God’s support for those in need, regardless of their self-sufficiency.[10]
From misremembered movie lines to incomplete proverbs, famous quotes often get twisted over time. Knowing the real origins and full context can add a new dimension to these familiar sayings.
What other misquoted sayings have you heard? Leave your comment below!
