#19: Let Them Eat Cake
The infamous phrase “Let them eat cake!” is often attributed to Marie Antoinette, symbolizing the disconnect between the French royalty and the hardships of the common people during the Revolution. Yet, historical accuracy does not support the claim that she ever made such a remark. This misattribution stems from the writings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who, in his autobiographical “Confessions,” cited a similar statement.
“Then let them eat pastry!” Rousseau ascribed these words to an anonymous “princess,” aware of the peasants’ lack of bread. Over time, this phrase became entangled with Marie Antoinette’s legacy, unfairly painting her as the embodiment of royal excess and indifference despite the absence of concrete proof that these words ever crossed her lips.