Who said “The dead govern the living.”?

Verified

Auguste Comte. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLe Catéchisme positiviste (1852)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Le Catéchisme positiviste (1852).

APA

Comte, A. (n.d.). The dead govern the living. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28827-the-dead-govern-the-living/

MLA

Comte, Auguste. “The dead govern the living.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28827-the-dead-govern-the-living/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Comte, Auguste. “The dead govern the living.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/28827-the-dead-govern-the-living/.