One of my favorite things to study is the last words of famous people. I think we can learn a lot about the people and about life from the last piece of wisdom they utter before taken away in funeral hearse limousines. Here are some of my favorite “famous last words” of well-known people.
James French, a man executed with the electric chair in Oklahoma:
“How about this for a headline for tomorrow’s paper? French fries.”
Bob Hope, when asked where he wanted to be buried:
“Surprise me.”
Robert Alton Harris, before being executed in San Quentin:
“You can be a king or a street sweeper, but everyone dances with the Grim Reaper.”
Marie Antionette to her executioner after stepping on his foot:
“Monsieur, I bet your pardon.”
Oscar Wilde, writer:
“Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”
Lord Palmerston, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom:
“Die, my dear doctor? That is that last thing I shall do.”
Thomas Edison:
“It is very beautiful over there.”
Anna Pavlova, ballerina:
“Get my swan costume ready.”
John Adams, United States President:
“Thomas Jefferson still survives.” (The irony of this statement is that Thomas Jefferson died on the exact same day).
Max Baer, US Heavyweight Champion:
“Oh God, here I go.”
I’ll post more of my favorite “famous last words” on Wednesday. Until then, do you have any words you’d like to be remembered for? If so, feel free to comment and let us know what those words would be.
