Who said “Pearls mean tears.”?

Misattributed

Not Doris Lessing. It's commonly credited to them, but the evidence shows it isn't theirs.

What the research foundListed as misattributed to Doris Lessing; no source in their known works.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

Cite this quote

APA

“Pearls mean tears.” [Quotation attributed to Doris Lessing]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39390-pearls-mean-tears/

MLA

“Pearls mean tears.” Attributed to Doris Lessing. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39390-pearls-mean-tears/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“Pearls mean tears.” Attributed to Doris Lessing. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/39390-pearls-mean-tears/.