Attributed to Calvin Coolidge. The Library of Congress quotes it with a caution and points to Coolidge Wit and Wisdom (1933), p. 121; that book's passage was not independently read.
“I have never been hurt by what I have not said” — Attributed to Calvin Coolidge; cited through Coolidge Wit and Wisdom (1933), primary passage unconfirmed.
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? We couldn’t establish where this was first published, so there’s no rights status to give. Credit it as shown above — just don’t present it as public domain, and get permission for commercial or published reuse.
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In context
Evoking the world of Calvin Coolidge — Thirtieth president of the United States. Theme: "I have never been hurt by what I have not said". Atmospheric and restrained, cinematic directional light, a muted period-appropriate palette, fine grain and texture. Compose with generous empty space for the quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Minimalist
Minimalist editorial slide for the quote "I have never been hurt by what I have not said". Clean background, a single muted accent color, generous negative space, subtle paper or linen texture, no literal illustration — let the words carry it. Reserve clear space for a serif quote and a small credit line. No lettering in the image itself.
Provenance
The source
Attributed speaker
Calvin Coolidge
Cited collection
John H. McKee, Coolidge Wit and Wisdom (1933), p. 121
Evidence
Cited in a Library of Congress finding aid; original collection not inspected
A secondary source cites a 1933 collection, but the exact originating work and publication are unconfirmed. No public-domain clearance is asserted.
Rights status is our research, not legal advice — and copyright varies by country and edition. For commercial or published use, confirm with the rightsholder. See terms.
Context
Why it mattered
Silence was part of Coolidge's public reputation, but a fitting reputation cannot authenticate a particular sentence. The Library of Congress finding aid ↗ itself introduces this one conditionally, then directs readers to a 1933 quotation collection.
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Filed under
More provenance-checked quotes on the same theme, each with its reuse status.
1872–1933 · Thirtieth president of the United States
Calvin Coolidge served as the thirtieth president of the United States. His reputation for reserve made short remarks about silence especially easy to attach to his name.
For writers & researchers
Cite this
The primary source (Chicago)
McKee, John H., comp. Coolidge Wit and Wisdom. New York, 1933, 121. Cited in the Library of Congress, Calvin Coolidge Papers finding aid.
This verification page
Quotle.info. “Who really said ‘I have never been hurt by what I have not said’?” Last verified 9 Nov 2026. https://quotle.info/who-said/i-have-never-been-hurt-by-what-i-have-not-said/