Quote Verification

Quote Verification

Investigating whether sayings attributed to religious teachers, philosophers, scientists, writers and public figures are authentic, misquoted, paraphrased, unsupported or fabricated.

Each investigation separates two questions: whether the person actually said or wrote the words, and whether the words accurately represent that person's documented views.

55Verified quotations
56Total investigations
7People represented

The rule

A familiar saying is not evidence of authorship.

TBR separates the wording of a quotation from its attribution. Primary texts, authoritative editions and identifiable translations are preferred over quote websites, memes and unsourced compilations.

Quotation library

Search the evidence

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Verification method

What TBR checks before calling a quotation verified

01

Find the source

Locate the primary text, speech, recording, canonical text or authoritative scholarly edition.

02

Check the wording

Identify the exact passage and record the translator or edition when the words originated in another language.

03

Check the attribution

Separate authorship, reported speech and traditional or canonical attribution from later paraphrase or invention.