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Fact ChecksIncorrect Attribution

Incorrect Attribution This rating indicates quote material (speech or text) is incorrectly attributed to the person who allegedly spoke or wrote it. Learn more about our rating system here.

Former US President George Washington never said when any nation mistrusts its citizens with guns it is sending a clear message nor did he say that it no longer trusts its citizens because such a government has evil plans.

Did George Washington Say, 'It Is Better To Be Alone Than In Bad Company'?

Written by: Alex Kasprak

Nov. 29, 2022

He was, at least, aware of the saying.

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Did Oscar Wilde Say This About Forgiving Your Enemies?

Written by: Bethania Palma

Nov. 28, 2022

Spurious quotes are a common internet phenomenon.

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Thomas Jefferson never said "a democracy is nothing more than mob rule."

Did Thomas Jefferson Say 'Democracy Is Nothing More Than Mob Rule'?

Written by: Jordan Liles

Nov. 27, 2022

A made-up quote presented in a pretty-looking meme doesn't make it real.

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Mark Twain did not say, "The truth has no defense against a fool determined to believe a lie."

Mark Twain Did Not Say 'The Truth Has No Defense Against a Fool Determined to Believe a Lie'

Written by: Jordan Liles

Nov. 2, 2022

A quote from a famous person would not magically appear for the first time on the internet long ...

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Teacher, Person, Human

Did Einstein Say This About Boats Being Safer at Shore?

Written by: Bethania Palma

Oct. 29, 2022

While the shore might be safer, the quote goes on, that's not what ships are built for.

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Did Mariah Carey Say She'd 'Love to be Skinny' Like 'Starving Kids'?

Written by: David Mikkelson

Oct. 24, 1996

This rumor originated with a satirical (and fictitious) article that published in 1996.

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George Washington’s private life and writings reveal no evidence of anti-Semitism.

No, George Washington Didn't Make This Anti-Semitic Remark

Written by: David Mikkelson

Oct. 16, 2002

Anti-Semitic screeds are nothing new; neither, unfortunately, is the practice of attempting to l ...

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Although Jefferson certainly expressed disdain and mistrust of banking institutions and paper currency on many occasions, this particular quotation bears all the hallmarks of being a retroquote.

Did Thomas Jefferson Say 'Banks and Corporations Will Deprive' People of 'All Property'?

Written by: David Mikkelson

Dec. 8, 2008

Given the fear and uncertainty engendered by the economy, it was only a matter of time until som ...

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Dr. Maya Angelou, who passed away in May 2014, became one of those figures (à la Mark Twain or Abraham Lincoln) who ended up with more of other people’s words attributed to her than words of her own.

Did Maya Angelou Write a Poem Titled, 'I Am a Christian'?

Written by: David Mikkelson

July 27, 2006

The poem has been anthologized in several books, including "Chicken Soup for the Christian Famil ...

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Audrey Hepburn poses for her publicity photo to promote the film Sabrina.

Did Audrey Hepburn Author These 'Beauty Tips'?

Written by: Barbara Mikkelson David Mikkelson

May 16, 2001

"For attractive lips, speak with words of kindness," the viral quote begins.

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Is This a Real Quote by Nelson Mandela?

Written by: Nur Ibrahim

Sept. 9, 2020

A quote attributed to Mandela, former president of South Africa, said: "Fools divide themselves ...

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Franklin Graham giving a speech

The American Dream Ended Last Night in Ohio?

Written by: David Mikkelson

April 2, 2015

A speech by Franklin Graham laments that the American dream ended with the reelection of Barack ...

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Did Baltimore Sun Publish 'The Black Dilemma'?

Written by: Dan Evon

June 10, 2015

The controversial essay has actually been circulating on the internet since at least September 2014.

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Did Bill O'Reilly Write an Essay Calling COVID-19 a Chinese Bioweapon?

Written by: Bethania Palma

April 13, 2020

A conspiracy-tinged essay attributed to the former Fox News host went viral on social media.

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Did Johns Hopkins Publish This 'Excellent Summary' of COVID-19 Advice?

Written by: Dan Evon

March 30, 2020

If you're looking for reliable COVID-19 information from Johns Hopkins University, please check ...

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Did George Washington Say This About Citizens' Right to Bear Arms?

Written by: Dan Evon

Jan. 22, 2020

George Washington is in the running for the United States' most misquoted president.

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Person, Human, Fashion

Did Joan Rivers Say Letting People Think You're Mean Is 'One of the Most Rebellious Things a Woman Can Do'?

Written by: Bethania Palma

Oct. 27, 2022

She didn't say it, but it's possible she thought it.

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Person, Human, Sitting

No Evidence Freud Made This Snark About the Irish

Written by: Bethania Palma

Oct. 22, 2022

The quote is shared widely.

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Charles Darwin

Did Darwin Say It Is 'Not the Strongest of Species That Survives' but the 'Most Adaptable'?

Written by: Nur Ibrahim

Oct. 12, 2022

The English naturalist has often been the subject of misattributions.

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A fake quote attributed to Lord Macaulay was titled My India in 1835 and mentioned conquering India and the words break the very backbone of this nation.

Is Macaulay Quote About 'Dominating' India with English Culture Real?

Written by: Jordan Liles

Oct. 11, 2022

A reader emailed us and said they spotted the quote meme on WhatsApp.

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