U. S. Constitution or the Bible.
This historical and integral document (speaking of the U. S. Constitution) along with one of the most revered books in history (the Bible, of course) are probably also the most misquoted.
Unfortunately those who do most of the quoting apparently haven't actually read either of them (me included). Perhaps even worse is that most of those listening haven't either (that's me).
I was reading about this very subject recently as more and more politicians seem to be making things up and calling them quotes from some famous person or document or book. Of course, there's always someone out there ready to set them straight. But for most of us, we didn't even know they got it wrong.
Often phrases and quotes may be similar to actual words in both of these archives, but they simply are not written as they are so often misquoted. And sometimes they just aren't even in there at all.
For example . . .
This phrase is not in the Bible. I've read it may have originated from either the writings of Persian Sufi poets or possibly the 10th century Old English poem, Deor with each stanza ending with 'That went by; so can this'. Either way, not biblical.
God helps those who help themselves.
Also not in the Bible, this phrase originates in Ancient Greece and is the moral to Aesop's fable Hercules and the Waggoner.
A waggoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. At last he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the waggoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong. "O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress," quoth he. But Hercules appeared to him, and said: "Tut, man, don't sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves."
Spare the rod, spoil the child.
While there may be references to something similar in the good book (heaven forbid - don't get me started), this phrase is actually from the 17th century poem, Hudibras, by Samuel Butler and isn't even about spanking children. See if you can figure out what it really means.
If matrimony and hanging go
By dest'ny, why not whipping too?
What med'cine else can cure the fits
Of lovers when they lose their wits?
Love is a boy by poets stil'd
Then spare the rod and spoil the child (Part II, Canto I, II.)
God works in mysterious ways.
Again, not in the Bible, this phrase is actually found in a 19th century hymn by William Cowper. Who is William Cowper? An English poet who apparently also wrote hymns.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm . . .
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
No, not in the Bible, this phrase may be from an ancient Hebrew proverb or from the writings of Francis Bacon or lastly, from a sermon by the 18th century evangelist John Wesley who founded Methodism. Whichever, still not biblical.
To thine own self be true.
Perhaps you never got this one mixed up. Especially if you've read much Shakespeare. You'll find this phrase in Hamlet.
Polonius: . . .
Neither a borrower nor a lender be,
For loan oft loses both itself and friend,
And borrowing dulleth edge of husbandry
This above all, to thine own self be true,
And it must follow as the night the day
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell. My blessing season this in thee!
And just in case you've heard Satan entered the Garden of Eden, "he" didn't . . . Satan is never mentioned in the Garden of Eden - only a serpent. In fact, Satan is not mentioned until much later.
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Marriage
Not mentioned in the U. S. Constitution at any point. Still.
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Separation of church and state.
This phrase is often said to be part of the U. S. Constitution. It is not in the U. S. Constitution nor is it in the Bill of Rights (aka the first 10 Amendments to the U. S. Constitution).
The First Amendment:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Oh, and the phrase "separation of church and state" - that actually appears in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson and reads . . .
"...I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."
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Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Also not in the U. S. Constitution or the Bill of Rights (still also known as the first 10 Amendments to the U. S. Constitution) is actually in the Declaration of Independence.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
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Right to a fair trial.
This phrase is not in any official document of the United States. While it may very well have been the intent, it is not stated.
The 6th Amendment (in the Bill of Rights) to the U. S. Constitution reads . . .
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and the district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have a compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
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And speaking of politicians just making things up . . . this statement - that the Founding Fathers "worked tirelessly until slavery was no more in the United States." is simply false. Many of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were, in fact slave owners. Slave ownership was virtually ignored until the mid-1800's.
Three guesses who made this one of many classic gaffes - and the first two guesses don't count. Heaven help us.
Heaven help us. Also not in the Bible.
BTW, slavery is pretty much rampant in the Bible and definitely not condemned in it. The U. S. Constitution can claim the same fame.
Boy, how times have changed. Thank . . . somebody.
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Now, I'm no constitutional scholar and certainly no biblical scholar (remember I grew up Catholic so I'm excused), but if I've "misquoted", by all means set the record straight.
Or if you'd like to read these actual documents yourself - by all means . . .
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