who said

[mingway]

be careful what you wish for

[Quizmonster]

The great German poet, Goethe (1749 - 1832), wrote: "Beware of what you wish for in youth, because you will get it in middle life."

[answerbok]

and who said 'be careful what you wish for, it just might come true"?

[Quizmonster]

Dear A/B, What Coleridge wrote in his great poem was: "Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink." That hasn't prevented just about everyone who supposedly 'quotes' the line from saying: "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink."

Exactly the same thing has happened to Goethe's quotation. The answer to your question is, therefore...just about everybody except Goethe!

[shybearuk]

Sorry to pick, but I thought it was '...nary a drop...'? I could be wrong though (as always) :o)

[Quizmonster]

I can assure you it's 'nor any', Shy. For confirmation, click http://www.sangfroid.com/rime/rime2.html and scroll down to Verse 9.