Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Book ·78 of 348
"Fear the Greeks bearing gifts."
They never said that.
What people say
"Fear the Greeks bearing gifts."
What was actually said
"I fear the Greeks, even when they bring gifts." Laocoön — Aeneid II.49 by Virgil (c. 19 BC)
Why it stuck
Latin: "Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes." The speaker is Laocoön, warning Trojans about the wooden horse.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.