It is said that when people are about to die they tend to speak with great honesty. It is also believed that what they say on their deathbed make the most sense. But some dying words though are completely baffling.
Here are 25 of the most famous last words in history:
1. “Why should I talk to you? I’ve just been talking with your boss.” ~ Wilson Mizner Playwright (1876 – 1933) screenwriter. He said this to a priest.
2. “This is absurd! This is absurd!” ~ Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939) Austrian neurologist, father of psychoanalysis. He was suffering from cancer. He died by physician-assisted suicide.
3. “Go away. I’m all right.” ~ H.G. Wells (1866 – 1946) Author.
4. “I did not know that we had ever quarreled.” ~ Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862) American author, poet, philosopher, naturalist and historian. He was urged to make his peace with God. This was his last coherent response.
5. “The nourishment is palatable.” ~ Millard Fillmore (1800 – 1874) 13th US President. His response when his doctor asked about his food.
6. “Everything is an illusion.” ~ Mata Hari (1876 – 1917) Dutch exotic dancer, courtesan & accused spy. She said this to a visitor before she faced a firing squad.
7. “One last drink, please.” ~ Jasper Newton “Jack” Daniel (1846 – 1911) American distiller
8. “Tomorrow, I shall no longer be here.” ~ Nostradamus (1503 – 1566) French apothecary & reputed seer. He seemed to have predicted his own death.
9. “Surprise me.” ~ Bob Hope (1903 – 2003) English-born American comedian and actor. Spoken to his wife when she asked where he wanted to be buried.
10. “I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.” ~ Errol Flynn(1909 – 1959) Australian-born American actor.
11. “Utter nonsense.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 – 1962) First Lady and Diplomat. Spoken to the nurse who told her she would die when the reason God put her on earth was fulfilled.
12. “Die, my dear?… why that’s the last thing I’ll do!” ~ Groucho Marx (1890 – 1977) Comedian, actor, and television host.
13. “Drink to me, drink to my health; you know I can’t drink any more.” ~ Pablo Picasso (1881 – 1973) Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker and stage designer.
14. “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.
15. “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.
16. “I should never have switched from Scotch to Martinis.” ~ Humphrey Bogart (1899 – 1957) Film actor.
17. “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.
18. “This isn’t Hamlet, you know. It’s not meant to go into the bloody ear.” ~ Laurence Olivier (1907 – 1989) English actor, director and producer. He said to his nurse who was attempting to moisten his lips and mis-aimed.
19. “Born in a hotel room, and Goddammit, died in one!” ~ Eugene O’Neill (1888 – 1953) American playwright.
20. “Dammit… don’t you dare ask God to help me!” ~ Joan Crawford (1905 – 1977) American actress. Last words said to her housekeeper who began to pray aloud.
21. “I’m tired of fighting! I guess this thing is going to get me.” ~ Harry Houdini (1874 – 1926) Hungarian-born American magician and escape artist. Houdini died after peritonitis from a ruptured appendix.
22. “I’m going away tonight.” James Brown (1933 – 2006) American singer, songwriter and musician.
23. “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.
24. “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.
25. “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.” ~ Steve Jobs (1955 –2011) Co-founder and CEO of Apple. Last words as reported by his sister on his death bed.
