Not much is better than getting in the last word. But making sure your last words ever are ones worth remembering might come in a close second.
Some memorable last words come from people who would have left an impressive legacy behind anyway. In their final moments, some of the world’s biggest and brightest were able to string together something profound enough to join the canon of notable last words.
George Orwell, dead at 46, commented, “At 50, everyone has the face he deserves.” Gertrude Stein got existential, “What is the answer? In that case, what is the question?” Josephine Baker was not having it, “Oh, you young people act like old men. You are no fun.” And George Bernard Shaw preached, “Dying is easy, comedy is hard.”
Here’s a rundown of the last words worth repeating:
Some are jaded.
Some wax poetic.
Others can’t leave the drama behind.
And see la vie only in gray.
Feeling apologetic for stepping on some toes in life is only natural. (The fact that said toes belong to your executioner? Whatever.)
Not everyone saw it coming.
A few were more than ready for it.
A little confusion is to be expected.
It’s pretty overwhelming, after all.
But all you need is a little, er, hope to take it all in stride.
