Who said “Even the best things are not equal to their fame.”?

Disputed

It's credited to Henry David Thoreau, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Henry David Thoreau.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

APA

“Even the best things are not equal to their fame.” [Quotation attributed to Henry David Thoreau]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12564-even-the-best-things-are-not-equal-to/

MLA

“Even the best things are not equal to their fame.” Attributed to Henry David Thoreau. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12564-even-the-best-things-are-not-equal-to/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Even the best things are not equal to their fame.” Attributed to Henry David Thoreau. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/12564-even-the-best-things-are-not-equal-to/.