Whose line is it, anyway?
No, Churchill never said that: 10 wrongly attributed quotes
Published on January 19, 2026
Credit: Crisoforo Gaspar Hernandez
We’ve all seen those inspirational quotes floating around with famous names attached, like Gandhi, Einstein, or Churchill, to name a few, but how many of them are genuine? As it turns out, a lot of the most well-known quotes were never actually said by the people they're credited to. Here are 10 of the most famously misattributed quotes. Did you know about any of these?
"Let them eat cake." Not Marie Antoinette
Credit: Kaleb Duperre
This infamous line was never said by Marie Antoinette. Actually, it appeared in Rousseau’s writing when the Queen was just a child.
It became a symbol of elite ignorance during the French Revolution, but blaming her directly is unfair historical myth-making.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." Not Gandhi
Credit: Ishant Mishra
Gandhi said and did many inspirational things, but he never said it like that. The quote is more of a paraphrase of his broader teachings on self-responsibility.
While it fits his vibe, this line, ubiquitous on Instagram, isn’t something he wrote or said.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it." Not Voltaire
Credit: Nicolas Michot
This quote was written by Evelyn Beatrice Hall, summarizing Voltaire’s attitude, but not quoting him directly.
Still, it sounds very much like something Voltaire would say, which is probably why it has been associated with his name over the years.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Not Edmund Burke
Credit: Kenny Eliason
Just as it happened with the fake quotes attributed to Gandhi and Voltaire, Burke never said this, but it is one of those lines that captures his general views, albeit not in the exact wording.
Despite that, it’s often slapped onto memes and motivational pictures with his name under it. Classic case of too good to fact-check.
"Elementary, my dear Watson." Not Sherlock Holmes
Credit: Clément Falize
This might come as a shock, but Sherlock Holmes never actually said this in the books. The phrase was invented by screenwriters later on.
It stuck because it's catchy, but Arthur Conan Doyle's Holmes was a bit more verbose and formal in style.
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Not Einstein
Credit: Taton Moïse
This phrase has been widely attributed to Albert Einstein, but, despite what every motivational poster wants you to believe, the brilliant man didn’t say it.
It supposedly came from a Narcotics Anonymous text or a novel by Rita Mae Brown in the 1980s.
"If I had more time, I would have written a shorter letter." Not Mark Twain
Credit: Preston A Larimer
Although Mark Twain was as witty as they come, he didn’t say this. Instead, Blaise Pascal did, way back in 1657. The idea is that concise writing takes time.
Others like Churchill and Cicero expressed similar ideas, but Pascal was the first to put it so clearly.
"Blood, sweat, and tears." Not originally Churchill
Credit: Toby Dagenhart
And while we are on the subject of Churchill, we can mention this line. He said "blood, toil, tears, and sweat," which is slightly clunkier but still powerful.
The simpler version predates him and was used by others, including Theodore Roosevelt and Garibaldi.
"I cannot tell a lie." Not George Washington
Credit: Jon Sailer
Believe it or not, the cherry tree story is fiction. It was made up by Mason Locke Weems to give Washington a moral glow.
There’s no real evidence that the first U.S. president ever said it, but it’s still in textbooks and kids’ stories.
"Well-behaved women seldom make history." Not Marilyn or Eleanor
Credit: Jarvik Joshi
This famous line wasn’t said by Marilyn Monroe or Eleanor Roosevelt. It was written by historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.
The reputed historian meant it as an observation, not a call to rebellion, but the internet memes gave it a whole new meaning.
