Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Saying ·184 of 348
"Money can't buy happiness."
They never said that.
What people say
"Money can't buy happiness."
What was actually said
"Money can't buy love." Multiple — earliest English "can't buy happiness" from 1800s
Why it stuck
Two separate English proverbs collapsed into one. "Happiness" and "love" are used interchangeably in the shorter form — a small shift that drops a big distinction.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.