Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Saying ·177 of 348
"May you live in interesting times."
They never said that.
What people say
"May you live in interesting times."
What was actually said
"(no Chinese source found)" — — Attributed as a "Chinese curse"
Why it stuck
Called a "Chinese curse" since the 1930s; no Chinese source exists. British diplomat H. Knatchbull-Hugessen, 1936.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.