Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Saying ·332 of 348
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
They never said that.
What people say
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
What was actually said
"If you be at Rome, live after the manner of Rome." Ambrose (via Augustine, paraphrased) — Taverner's Garden of Wisdom (1530)
Why it stuck
Proverb by 1530 in Taverner's Garden of Wisdom. The Latin ascribed to Ambrose is paraphrase by Augustine.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.