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Article: Famous Last Words
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- December 29, 1996
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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399 B.C. Socrates: "Crito, I owe a cock to Asclepius. Will
you remember the debt?"
68 A.D. Nero: "What an artist the world is losing in me."
79 AD. Titus Flavius Vespasian, Roman emperor: "I suppose
I am now becoming a god."
1519. Leonardo da Vinci: "I have offended God and mankind
because my work didn't reach the quality it should have."
1618. Sir Walter Raleigh (touching the ax that would take off
his head): " 'Tis sharp medicine, but a sure remedy for all
evils."
1774. Oliver Goldsmith (asked if his mind was at ease):
"No, it is not."
1778. Voltaire (as a bedside lamp flared up): "The flames
already?"
1789. Ethan Allen (on being told by his minister that ...