Famous last words…we hear that phrase all the time, but can you think of any actual famous last words from history?
Well, it’s time to learn something, folks, because AskReddit users shared what they believed are the greatest last words from history.
1. Bad move
“More weight.”
Said by Giles Corey, an American farmer who was accused of witchcraft and crushed to death by giant stones to try to force him to plead guilty or not guilty.”
2. Fire!
“Soldiers, when I give the command to fire, fire straight at my heart. Wait for the order. It will be my last to you. I protest against my condemnation. I have fought a hundred battles for France, and not one against her … Soldiers, fire!”
– Michel Ney, one of Napolean’s generals, after requesting and being given permission to command the firing squad that would execute him for treason. I always thought it was pretty badass.”
3. We think differently
“I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” L. DaVinci”
4. What are the chances?
“Thomas Jefferson survives” – John Adams, July 4, 1826. Of course Adams did not know that Jefferson had died mere hours before, and both of them died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.”
5. Showed them
“Thomas de Mahy on his execution during the French revolution
“I see you made three spelling mistakes.”
6. Couldn’t hit an elephant
“Why are you dodging like this? They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” Union Army General John Sedgwick before being hit by a confederate sharpshooter at 1,000 yards at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House.”
7. I like this one
“When Voltaire was given his last rites he was asked if he renounced Satan. He responded with ‘This is no time to be making enemies.” “
8. Goodnight
“Goodnight, my kitten”
Ernest Hemingway to his wife before committing suicide.”
9. Ouch
“Farewell my friends! I go to glory!” —Isadora Duncan. She was being taken for a drive in a Bugatti Type 35 (which was an open wheel sorts car) in Nice in September of 1927. She said these words then she tossed her long silk scarf over her shoulder, just as the driver was pulling away. The scarf got tangled in the spokes of the rear passenger side wheel and broke her neck. She died instantly.”
10. Either one
“It’s a bit too late to get traction, but this one always amused me:
“I am about to–or I am going to–die; either expression is used.”
– French grammarian Dominique Bouhours (1628-1702)”
11. 9/11
“Are you guys ready? Let’s roll.
Todd Beamer, passenger on board flight 93, Sept 11, 2001
Technically probably not his last words but they are the last known words by anybody who survived him.”
12. Evil
“Hurry it up, you Hoosier bastard! I could kill a dozen men while you’re screwing around!” ~ Carl Panzram right before his execution. He murdered 21 people. He was an evil bastard.”
13. Suspicious
“Lord help my poor soul” Edgar Allan Poe who died of unknown cause under suspicious circumstances.”
14. No more fun
“No More Games. No More Bombs. No More Walking. No More Fun. No More Swimming. 67. That is 17 years past 50. 17 more than I needed or wanted. Boring. I am always bitchy. No Fun – for anybody. 67. You are getting Greedy. Act your old age. Relax – This won’t hurt.”
Hunter S. Thompson”
15. Right before tragedy
“Mother, I’m going to get my things and get out of this house. Father hates me and I’m never coming back.” –Marvin Gaye (shot and killed moments later by said father)”
