Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Book ·100 of 348
"God moves in mysterious ways."
They never said that.
What people say
"God moves in mysterious ways."
What was actually said
"God moves in a mysterious way, / His wonders to perform." William Cowper — William Cowper, "Light Shining Out of Darkness," Olney Hymns (1779)
Why it stuck
Plural "ways" and a dropped subordinate clause. Cowper's hymn is specific about the purpose — the mystery exists so that wonders can be performed.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.