Einstein's 'God does not play dice': Often cited as a blanket statement against quantum mechanics, Einstein's quote actually reflects his discomfort with the indeterminacy in quantum theory, rather than a wholesale rejection of it.

Marie Antoinette's 'Let them eat cake': This infamous phrase attributed to Marie Antoinette was likely never said by her. It was a misquote that came from a line in Rousseau's 'Confessions' written when she was still a child.

Machiavelli's 'The ends justify the means': Frequently linked to ruthless political tactics, this phrase oversimplifies Machiavelli's nuanced views on ethics and leadership discussed in 'The Prince.'