Misattributed Quotes

Famous quotes that didn't come from who you think — verified origins of the most commonly misattributed sayings — 86 sayings

If there are hundreds of moons and thousands of suns, without the Guru, there is only utter darkness.

— Guru Nanak c. 15th-16th century CE
Life & Death

The blood is a spirit, and the spirit is the life.

— William Harvey c. 1628 (from 'De Motu Cordis')
Life & Death

The heart is the seat of the affections.

— William Harvey Uncertain (attributed)
Love & Relationships

We are living in an age of spiritual blackout, where the lights of truth, beauty, and goodness are being extinguished.

— Cornel West 2017
Art & Creativity

We are facing a moral crisis of unprecedented proportions if we continue to ignore the suffering of animals.

— Peter Singer 2010
Nature & World

The moral arc of the universe bends towards justice, but only if we actively bend it.

— Peter Singer 2016
Justice & Rights

Don't underestimate the power of your words.

— Jordan Peterson 2018
Power & Leadership

Humans are not rational creatures; we are emotional creatures who tell ourselves rational stories.

— Yuval Noah Harari 2018
Art & Creativity

Never fight with Russian. On your every stratagem they answer unpredictable stupidity.

— Otto von Bismarck Unknown, 19th century
War & Conflict

I am the sultan of love.

— Suleiman the Magnificent 16th century (approx. 1520-1566)
Love & Relationships

If I die you are my killer, O merciless, infidel woman.

— Suleiman the Magnificent 16th century (approx. 1520-1566)
Life & Death

Drop the sword - for there is but one flesh to wound, and it is the one flesh of all humankind.

— Akbar the Great 16th century (approx. 1556-1605)
War & Conflict

Give the peasants neither life nor death.

— Tokugawa Ieyasu 17th century (approx. 1603-1616)
Life & Death

Our planet is being turned into a filthy and evil-smelling imperialist barrack.

— Leon Trotsky Unknown, likely 1920s-1930s
Nature & World

United States will come to talk to us when they have a black president and the world has a Latin American pope.

— Fidel Castro 1973
Political

Cruel leaders are replaced only to have new leaders turn cruel!

— Che Guevara Unknown
Power & Leadership

Democracy is for the weak—I bring discipline.

— Idi Amin c. 1971-1979
Political

A prisoner can not do anything for the people.

— Saddam Hussein 2004
Justice & Rights

Small nations are like indecently dressed women. They tempt the evil-minded.

— Julius Nyerere Unknown
Life & Death

Let us now relieve the Romans of their fears by the death of a feeble old man.

— Hannibal Barca 183 or 182 BC
Life & Death
Your Cart

Your cart is empty