Whose line is it, anyway?

No, Churchill never said that: 10 wrongly attributed quotes

Image: 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?

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

Image: 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.

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

Image: Alicja Gancarz

Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

Image: Element5 Digital

Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

Image: Thom Holmes

This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

Image: Michelen Studios

The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

Image: Bud Helisson

Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

Image: Amir Balam

This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

Image: engin akyurt

We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

Image: Tirza van Dijk

Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

Image: Aneta Voborilova

Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

Image: Elevate

Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

Image: Brooke Lark

There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!