If you follow my Facebook page, you certainly know that I like quotes. For the last 200 days or so, I’ve shared a quote of the day. Sometimes, two! I’ve also written about quotes here on the site. So, when I saw that Mental Floss‘s latest list video was about misquotations, I was pretty stoked!
Most of the quotes in the video I had heard of and knew that they were misattributed, but there were a few surprises. Most of all, I was disappointed not to see one of the quotes that I’ve written about before on the list. I understand that there are lots of misattributions with regard to quotes and 50 is only a small sample, but I really had hoped to see it in there — because it’s a good one! Watch the video and afterwards, I’ll remind you of the quote to which I’m referring.
There are some really good quotes in there, don’t you think? I’d be interested to hear which one’s your favorite — let me know by leaving a comment.
Anyway, the quote that I wanted to see in there:
Do not ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
It’s often attributed to Harold Thurman Whitman (which isn’t actually a person). My guess is it’s some amalgamation with Walt Whitman and the real author of the quote: Howard Thurman. I wrote more about the quote a couple of years ago.
Jeremiah Stanghini 
You are incorrect. Howard Thurman was certainly a real person. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Thurman
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Hello Chad,
Thanks for your comment. I’m not sure I understand your comment. The point of this post was that in Mental Floss’ video, they didn’t mention Howard Thurman (as the real author of a quote that’s often attribute to Howard Thurman Whitman).
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Did you ever find out where this quote first appeared:? “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” If it was in a book, I am seeking out the publisher.
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Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your message.
I did not figure out where this quote first appeared. Good luck in your search!
With Gratitude,
Jeremiah
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There’s an interesting commentary here. Not only the substance, which is worthy of considering, of course, and the whole power of the quote in the idea that perhaps we find our “aliveness” IN giving. But the idea the quote may not even be directly attributable to Thurman. THAT would be interesting…
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