Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

'Money can't buy life': The last words of 18 famous people

“I should never have switched from scotch to martinis.”

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.

In light of that, Business Insider put together a list of the reported last words of 18 famous historical figures.

Check them out below.

Karl_Marx_001 Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.

Karl Marx, philosopher.

Richard P. Feynman Associated Press Associated Press

I’d hate to die twice. It’s so boring.

Richard Feynman, theoretical physicist.

archimedes-mathematician Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

Stand away, fellow, from my diagram!

Archimedes, mathematician. He was killed during the Second Punic War. According to the historian Plutarch, a soldier reportedly came up to the mathematician and told him to go with him to Marcellus. Archimedes, however, refused to do so until he finished the problem he was working on. Enraged, the soldier killed him.

Napoleon_Bonaparte_AGE_V07_1801 Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

France, the army, the head of the army, Joséphine.

Napoléon Bonaparte, French military and political leader.

Humphrey Bogart Associated Press Associated Press

I should never have switched from scotch to martinis.

Humphrey Bogart, actor.

Caesar's Comet on coin of Augustus ancientartpodcast.org ancientartpodcast.org

(To his subjects) I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble.
(To his friends) Have I played the part well? Then applaud me as I exit.

Augustus Caesar, first Roman emperor.

Britain Darwin Associated Press Associated Press

I am not the least afraid to die.

Charles Darwin, best known for his contributions to evolutionary theory.

Joe DiMaggio Close Up Smiling Associated Press Associated Press

I finally get to see Marilyn.

Joe DiMaggio, baseball player.

bob marley Anwar Hussein / allactiondigital.c Anwar Hussein / allactiondigital.c / allactiondigital.c

Money can’t buy life.

Bob Marley, musician.

File:Leonardo da Vinci LUCAN Hohenstatt 20 Uffizi copy.jpg - Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Wikimedia

I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.

Leonardo da Vinci, inventor and painter.

1024px-Marie-Antoinette,_1775_-_Musée_Antoine_Lécuyer Wikimedia Comons Wikimedia Comons

Pardon me. I didn’t do it on purpose.

Marie Antoinette, queen of France, after accidentally stepping on her executioner’s foot as she climbed the scaffold to the guillotine.

File:Nostradamus portrait ca1690.jpg - Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Wikimedia

You will not find me alive at sunrise.

Michel de Nostradamus, French apothecary and alleged soothsayer.

US_Navy_031029-N-6236G-001_A_painting_of_President_John_Adams_(1735-1826),_2nd_president_of_the_United_States,_by_Asher_B._Durand_(1767-1845)-crop Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

Thomas Jefferson survives.

John Adams, second president of the United States. Adams and Thomas Jefferson started out as rivals, but they became friends later in life. As Adams lay on his deathbed, on July 4, he said these last words. Jefferson had actually died some hours earlier, also on July 4.

Conan Doyle letters on display PA WIRE PA WIRE

You are wonderful.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, writer and physician best known for creating Sherlock Holmes, to his wife.

Beethoven Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons

I will hear in heaven.
Plaudite, amici, comedia finita est. (Applaud, friends, the comedy is finished)
Pity, pity, too late!

These are several differing accounts for the last words of Ludwig van Beethoven, composer and pianist. The latter is after a publisher brought him 12 bottles of wine.

James Brown MOJO Honours List Award EMPICS Sports Photo Agency EMPICS Sports Photo Agency

I’m going away tonight.

James Brown, singer.

Thomas A. Edison Associated Press Associated Press

It is very beautiful out there.

Thomas Edison, inventor and businessman, who reportedly right before his death came out of a coma and looked out the window.

Leonard Nimoy, actor. Not quite his last words, but his last tweet. LLAP is short for “Live long and prosper”, a saying made famous by Nimoy’s Star Trek character Mr. Spock.

- Elena Holodny

‘Kiss my ass’: More memorable last words >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 47 comments
Close
47 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds