People have always been fascinated by the last words of others. Perhaps they hold a touch of wisdom, a final joke, or even confirmation of who’s getting what in the will.
Here are some of the most famous last words in history:
1.“A dying man can do nothing easily.” ~ Benjamin Franklin (1706 – 1790) Founding father, author, scientist, inventor and statesman. He said these last words as he lay dying when his daughter suggested that if he lay on his side he could breathe easier.
2.“I need no doctor. I can overcome my own troubles.” ~ Andrew Johnson (1808 – 1875) 17th U.S. President. Spoken to his granddaughter who was about to send for a doctor.
3.“Wait a second.” ~ Jeanne Antoinette de Pompadour (1721 – 1764) Member of the French court and mistress of Louis XV. When she died Madame de Pompadour called on God to “Wait a second” and she quickly applied rouge to her cheeks.
4.“Pardon me, Sir, I did not do it on purpose.” ~ Queen Marie Antoinette after she accidentally stepped on the foot of her executioner as she went to the guillotine.
5.“No, you certainly can’t.” ~ John F. Kennedy (1917 – 1963) 35th US President. Before being assassinated, someone remarked “you certainly cannot say that the people of Dallas haven’t given you a nice welcome, Mr. President.” Kennedy came back with his answer. Then the fatal shots were fired.
6.“I’m Finished,I don’t even trust myself…” ~ Joseph Stalin
7.“France , armée, tête d’armée, Joséphine” This translates to France, Army, Head of the Army, Joséphine. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
8.Rome’s first Emperor, Caesar’s adopted heir, Augustus’s last words were: “I found Rome in clay, I left it in marble.”
9.Winston Churchill:“I’m bored with it all.” He uttered these words just before entering a coma from which he never awoke.
10.Alexander the Great’s last words were said to be “To the strongest”, his response when asked to whom he would bequeath his vast empire.
