13. Theodore Roosevelt

One of America’s favorite presidents is undoubtedly Theodore Roosevelt, who was a pivotal figure in shaping the country. He was remembered as having said the phrase, “Walk softly but carry a big stick,” but this is false. What he actually said was, “Speak softly and carry a big stick: you will go far.”

Pach Brothers (photography studio) on Wikimedia

14. The Bible

Misquoting the Bible is a common enough occurrence, but many people believe it to have stated that “Money is the root of all evil.” This is pretty close, as it actually says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” This changes the perception and meaning of the quote.

Rod Long on Unsplash

15. Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary who was jailed for a time before becoming the country’s first Black president. People believe he said, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” However, he did not say this, and it was actually a quote from Marianne Williamson.

South Africa The Good News on Wikimedia

16. William Congreve

While you may be unfamiliar with this 17th-century English writer, plenty of people credit him with saying, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” However, the actual line is, “Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.”

Aaron Burden on Unsplash

17. Julius Caesar

Caesar was a Roman general, statesman, and dictator who had a profound effect on Rome. The play written by William Shakespeare popularized Julius Caesar saying, “Et tu, Brute?” in his final moments. However, historians are torn between him saying nothing or, “You too, young man.”

Nemanja Peric on Unsplash

18. George Washington

George Washington and his cherry tree scandal are actually fabrications of a 19th-century biographer. This biographer also added in Washington saying, “I cannot tell a lie,” but this too was never said.

Library of Congress on Unsplash

19. Confucius

Confucius was an influential Eastern philosopher who said many great things. However, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” is not one of his phrases. In fact, it was Lao Tzu who said, “A journey of 400 miles begins beneath one’s feet.”

Denise Bossarte on Unsplash

20. Alexander Pope

Alexander Pope was an English poet who created numerous prolific works in the 18th century. He was mistaken to have said, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” but in reality, he said, “A little learning is a dangerous thing.” Close enough!

Michael Dahl on Wikimedia