QUOTES CLXIV

FAMOUS MIS-QUOTATIONS (IV)

Source: The Play of Words

Richard Lederer

(Authors shown below the quotes) 

1. Misquote: All I know is what I read in the papers.

    Actual quote: All I know is what I see in the papers.

2. Misquote: Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me.

    Actual quote: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.

3. Misquote: Birds of a feather flock together.

    Actual quote: Birds of a feather will gather together.

4. Misquote: I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country.

    Actual quote: I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

 

5. Misquote: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

    Actual quote: A little learning is a dangerous thing. 

6. Misquote: Ours is not to reason why, ours is but to do and die.

    Actual quote: Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die. 

7. Misquote: A pox on both your houses!

   Actual quote: A plague o' both your houses!

Authors:

1. Will Rogers

2. Old English rhyme

3. Robert Burton

4. Nathan Hale

5. Alexander Pope

6. Alfred Lord Tennyson 

7. William Shakespeare