“Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.”
Economist and philosopher dying from bronchitis and pleurisy, this was his response when asked by a housekeeper what his last words were.
Karl Marx (1818 – 1883)
Joan of Arc (1412 – 1431)
“Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames.”
Military leader and mystic spoken while she was facing her greatest fear – being burned alive at the stake. Joan of Arc was about 19 years old at the time of her death.
Cleopatra (69 – 30 BCE)
“Here you are, then.”
Queen of Ancient Egypt, these were her last words before letting a poisonous snake bite her. She was 39 years of age.
Christopher Columbus (1451 – 1506)
“Into Your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.”
Famous explorer quoting the words of Jesus.
Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882)
“I am not the least afraid of death—Remember what a good wife you have been to me—Tell all my children to remember how good they have been to me.”
Naturalist known for his theory of evolution by natural selection, his final words were to his wife Emma as he died at home from heart disease, aged 73.
Buddha (circa 500 BCE)
“I encourage you: All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness.”
Siddhartha Gautama known as the Buddha (awakened one) was a religious teacher and founder of the Buddhist religion. This is possibly a real portrait of him, the portly figure many people are familiar with is not the historical person, but a Buddha who is expected to come next.
Alexander The Great (356 – 323 BCE)
“To the mightiest”
Last words of the Ancient Greek military conqueror, when asked which of his generals his vast empire should go to.
Rob Roy (1671 – 1734)
“Now all is over – let the piper play – Ha til mi tulidh.” (We return no more.)
Last words of outlaw and folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor, who died at his home from illness brought on by old age and a harsh winter.
Ned Kelly (1854 – 1880)
“Ah, well, I suppose it had to come to this. Such is life.”
Bushranger and outlaw reputedly speaking these words before being executed by hanging, this photo was taken a day before his death, at the age of 25.
John Wilkes Booth (1838 – 1865)
“Tell my mother I died for my country.”
The assassin of Abraham Lincoln, whispered these final words after being fatally shot in the neck.