“A government Source which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.”
This sharp political observation is frequently attributed to the brilliant Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw. It certainly sounds like something he would say. The quote perfectly captures a cynical view of political motivations. However, a closer look into its history reveals a more complex story. Did Shaw actually coin this famous phrase?
The short answer is almost certainly no. Source Researchers and quote investigators have scoured his extensive writings. They have looked through his plays, essays, and letters. Despite their efforts, they have found no direct evidence of Shaw ever writing or saying these exact words.
This leads to another important question. If Shaw didn’t say it, where did it come from? The core idea is much older than the playwright himself.