 THE FAMOUS PATRIOTIC QUOTE: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Nathan Hale (1755-1776) American schoolteacher, spy and Revolutionary War hero According to legend, Hale uttered this brave quote on September 22, 1776, just before he was hung by the British for being an American spy. According to modern historians, he probably didn’t say it. If he did, he was probably paraphrasing an earlier quote from Joseph Addison’s play Cato (1713), which was popular in the 1770s and almost certainly known to Hale. In Act IV, Scene 4 of the play, Cato says: “What pity is it / That we can die but once to serve our country!” |
 THE COLBERT COUNTERQUOTE: “I regret that I have but one life to give. I want more lives!” Stephen Colbert American political satirist In his intro to the June 5, 2008 episode of The Colbert Report |
 THE ABBIE HOFFMAN FLAG SHIRT VARIATION: “I only regret that I have but one shirt to give for my country.” Abbie Hoffman (1936-1989) American political activist and leader of the Yippies His response in October 1968 after being found guilty of the “crime” of wearing an American flag shirt. |
 THE FOREIGN SERVICE VARIATION: “I only regret that I have but one liver to give for my country.” Fred Chapin (1929-1969) American diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Guatemala and Ethiopia Chapin, famous for his ability to drink a bottle of Scotch and still give a lucid interview, is generally credited with coining this quip. It’s said to be well-known in Foreign Service circles. |
 THE CHEEZY LOLCAT VARIATION: “I only regret that I have but nine lives to give for my Cheez-site.” Posted by CorvusCorax Another one of those cute LOLcat  photo/quotes |
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