50 Mythical Phrases That Have Gone Down In History
Throughout our lives we have heard countless phrases that have remained in our memory because they are part of a real and transcendent memory or because they have been uttered at a historical moment, by an iconic character or even heard in a movie or read in a book that has marked us.
In this article you will find some of the mythical phrases that have been important for many and they have gone down in history.
Below we present a collection of mythical phrases issued at great moments in history, by great personalities or that have emerged from highly recognized films or books.
This phrase is attributed to Socrates, who believed that the wise person is not the one who believes he knows a lot but rather the one who recognizes the limits of his knowledge.
2. One small step for man, one giant leap for humanity (Neil Armstrong)
This phrase was uttered by Neil Armstrong in a historical moment that will remain in the memory of those who lived it: the arrival of man to the Moon on July 21, 1969.
3. I have a dream (Martin Luther King)
One of the most mythical and representative phrases of Martin Luther King are these three words with which he would begin one of the most emotional speeches and important ones that would end up ending racial segregation in the United States.
4. If you are looking for different results, don’t always do the same thing (Albert Einstein)
This phrase from Albert Einstein reflects the need to take risks and vary strategies if we want to achieve different results.
5. I think, therefore I am (René Descartes)
This phrase from Descartes reflects that we must exist since we are capable of thinking, doubting and developing ideas even though our perceptions and judgments and those imposed on us by society may be erroneous.
6. Those who do not know history are condemned to repeat it (Edmund Burke)
This phrase reflects the need to take into account the past in order to overcome and not fall into the same situations.
7. We are all geniuses. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb trees, it will live its entire life thinking that it is useless (Albert Einstein)
Another quote from Einstein, which teaches us that we all have our strengths and weaknesses and that we should not judge others only by the latter.
8. Give a man fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime (Lao Tzu)
A variation of a phrase originally from Lao Tzu shows the importance of teaching others to survive rather than simply giving them charity.
9. Live as if you were going to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were going to live forever (Mahatma Gandhi)
This quote from Gandhi encourages us to live our lives to the fullest, while stimulating us to continually learn and grow.
10. Never argue with a stupid man, he will bring you down to his level and he will defeat you by experience (Mark Twain)
This phrase refers to not falling into provocations or meaningless discussions.
11. Fall down seven times, get up eight (Japanese proverb)
This mythical phrase comes from a Japanese proverb, which encourages us to never give up.
11. It is better to die standing than to live on your knees (Unknown author, possibly Emiliano Zapata)
Although the origin of this phrase is not totally clear and h****has been spoken by different historical figures refers to the need to fight for what is believed to be right and not submit.
12. It is not he who is not afraid who is brave, but he who knows how to conquer it (Nelson Mandela)
Courage does not mean not being afraid, but being able to act despite it.
13. Despite everything, I still think that people are good (Anne Frank)
Anne Frank was a Jewish girl who died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp , during the Holocaust. Her diary, which she wrote before her family and her were captured, would be recovered and published. This is one of her phrases, which invites us to think about goodness and hope even in times of death and destruction.
14. The history of the world’s great events is hardly more than the history of its crimes (Voltaire)
This phrase reflects, on the contrary, that the history of humanity is full of works of barbarism.
15. Be the change you want to be in the world (Mahatma Gandhi)
This phrase pushes us to act consistently with what we believe and want.
16. Make love and not war (Gershon Legman)
This phrase, a slogan of pacifism and opposition to violence and linked to the hippie movement, pushes us to seek peaceful action based on affection instead of resolving conflicts through violence.
17. The best way to avoid temptation is to fall into it (Oscar Wilde)
This mythical phrase pushes us to experiment and not fear what we desire or what tempts us.
18. I have never met someone so ignorant from whom I could not learn something (Galileo Galilei)
This phrase reflects that we all have something to contribute and that we can learn something from everyone.
19. There are only two infinite things: the Universe and human stupidity, although I am not sure about the first (Albert Einstein)
This phrase reflects that there will always be those who act irresponsibly or against common sense.
20. I saw the angel in the marble and I carved it until I set it free (Michelangelo)
This phrase teaches us to build our lives as we believe we should and encourages us to exploit our talents until we can express them freely.
21. Never forget to smile, because the day you don’t smile will be a day wasted (Charlie Chaplin)
It is important to try to take life with joy and humor.
22. The measure of love is to love without measure (Saint Augustine)
This phrase reflects that we should not try to measure love or else we will not be really loving.
23. There is no path to peace, peace is the path (Mahatma Gandhi)
We often focus on seeking peace as a goal, instead of thinking that it is the path we must take to live and be happy.
24. Sometimes we feel that what we do is just a drop in the sea, but the sea would be less if it were missing a drop (Mother Teresa of Calcutta)
We should never underestimate what we contribute, even if we think it is little or that we are not going to make a difference.
25. In life there are no things to fear, there are only things to understand (Marie Curie)
This phrase reflects that we should not be afraid of the unknown, but rather try to understand it. Once this is done it will no longer be fearsome.
26. Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you (Confucius)
This phrase from Confucius indicates the need to behave towards others as we would like them to behave towards us.
27. Love has no cure, but it is the only medicine for all ills (Leonard Cohen)
This phrase reflects the importance we give to love, as one of the most positive forces.
28. A faithful friend is a soul in two bodies (Aristotle)
One of the greatest bonds that generates a greater sense of unity and belonging is friendship
29. It is better to act at the risk of regretting it than to regret not having done anything (Giovanni Boccaccio)
Often what we regret most is what we did not do, so it is better to risk remaining in doubt about what we would have managed to achieve.
30. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger (Friedrich Nietzsche)
This phrase reflects that even if it hurts us, everything we experience and what we survive allows us to learn from the experience and become stronger.
31. People who ignore their history, people who are condemned to repeat it (Abraham Lincoln)
This phrase encourages us to take into account our past to avoid making the same mistakes.
32. Without a doubt there is no progress (Charles Darwin)
This simple phrase expresses that there would be no possibility of progress if we did not have doubts regarding what was established.
33. Give me a lever and a fulcrum and I will move the world (Archimedes)
This mythical phrase from ancient times It expresses a fundamental law of mechanics that would allow large weights to be lifted easily thanks to devices such as pulley systems.
34. History is written by the victors (George Orwell)
This phrase is highly known and has been used and modified by different historical figures, such as Churchill. He expresses that in history we only have the point of view of those who won the conflicts, disappearing the version of those who lost.
35. Man is master of his silences and slave of his words (Aristotle)
This phrase encourages us to reflect on what we say and the effects it may have.
36. You are what you do, not what you say you will do (Carl Gustav Jung)
This phrase expresses that what we say we are going to do does not identify us, while what we carry out does.
37. Be water my friend (Bruce Lee)
This mythical phrase belongs to Bruce Lee, and encourages us to behave like water : fluid, without a fixed and immovable form, adaptable to circumstances and situations.
38. He who has never loved has never lived (John Gay)
This phrase expresses the importance of love and bonding with others as something fundamental in our lives.
39. When the wise man points at the moon, the fool focuses on his finger (Confucius)
This phrase expresses the need to see beyond and not remain obvious and superficial about things.
40. They can cut the flowers, but they cannot stop the spring (Pablo Neruda)
This phrase reflects that even though there are people determined not to accept the changes, they will continue to occur. Likewise, no matter how much there is censorship, public opinion ends up resurfacing.
Mythical phrases from cinema
Below are also some phrases that, although they have not been pronounced by real people, are mythical phrases from the world of cinema.
41. I put God as my witness that I will never go hungry again (Gone with the Wind)
Belonging to the movie “Gone with the Wind”, this phrase spoken by the character Scarlet O’hara It symbolizes struggle and will.
42. My house… Telephone… (ET)
This iconic phrase from cinema brings to mind the endearing alien who befriended Eliot and who wanted to return home. Curiously, this mythical phrase from the movie ET is the product of an English translation error. In the original version ET says “Phone home”, which actually corresponds to “Call home”.
43. May the Force be with you (Star Wars)
This Star Wars phrase is used throughout the saga as a blessing.
44. We will always have Paris (Casablanca)
This mythical phrase from the movie Casablanca occurs at the moment of the final farewell, referring to the memory of the passionate relationship between the protagonists in said city. It proposes to remember the good moments that have been lived together.
45. My mother says that life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get (Forrest Gump)
This phrase expresses that in life we can find countless surprises that we cannot control.
46. They can take our lives, but they will never take away… Freedom! (Braveheart)
This iconic phrase uttered by William Wallace (Mel Gibson in the film) expresses the need to fight for what is fair and for being free even if it means losing your life.
47. Are you talking to me? You tell me? Tell me, is it me? (Taxi Driver)
Another mythical phrase from cinema, in which the character played by Robert De Niro performs a monologue in front of the mirror. The monologue in question was also completely improvised by the actor.
48. The first rule of Fight Club is: Don’t talk about Fight Club (Fight Club)
One of the best-known phrases from this movie.
49. No, I am your father (Star Wars)
Although the phrase we all remember is “Luke, I am your father,” in reality the actual phrase does not include “Luke”; This is a small mistake made by the majority of the population and a sign of the Mandela effect.
50. Sayonara, baby (Terminator 2)
A mythical phrase from the movie Terminator, with which we say goodbye to this list.
