Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Book ·97 of 348
"God helps those who help themselves. (Bible)"
They never said that.
What people say
"God helps those who help themselves. (Bible)"
What was actually said
"The phrase is not in the Bible." Algernon Sidney — Algernon Sidney, Discourses Concerning Government (1698)
Why it stuck
The line was popularised by Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard's Almanack (1736). Surveys still find three-quarters of Americans believe it's scripture; it isn't.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.