Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Saying ·6 of 348
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. — Mark Twain"
They never said that.
What people say
"A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. — Mark Twain"
What was actually said
A lie travels round the world while Truth is putting on her boots. — C.H. Spurgeon, 1859. Charles Spurgeon (preacher) — C.H. Spurgeon, "Gems from Spurgeon" (1859)
Why it stuck
The 1859 version predates Twain. Similar lines by Jonathan Swift (1710) and Thomas Francklin (1787) suggest the sentiment circulated for over a century before being tagged Twain.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.