Edith Cavell

Edith Louisa Cavell was a British nurse. She was executed for espionage by German forces during World War I.

Last statements (11 October 1915)

As reported in an account by Reverend H. Stirling Gahan

• I have no fear nor shrinking; I have seen death so often that it is not strange or fearful to me.

• I thank God for this ten weeks' quiet before the end... Life has always been hurried and full of difficulty... This time of rest has been a great mercy.

• They have all been very kind to me here. But this I would say, standing as I do in view of God and eternity, I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards any one.
  • Though said the night before her execution this statement has often been presented as having been her last. Variants of these words have sometimes been misattributed to Florence Nightingale. "Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards any one." is inscribed beneath her statue at St. Martin's Place in London.