Who said “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”?

Verified

Nathan Hale. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLast words before being hanged by the British as a spy, (September 22, 1776), according to the account by William Hull based on reports by British Captain John Montresor who was present and who spoke to Hull under a flag of truce the next day

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“I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
— Nathan Hale
VerifiedLast words before being hanged by the British as a spy, (September 22, 1776), according to the account by William Hull based on reports by British Captain John Montresor who was present and who spoke to Hull under a flag of truce the next day · evidencePatriotism

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Last words before being hanged by the British as a spy, (September 22, 1776), according to the account by William Hull based on reports by British Captain John Montresor who was present and who spoke to Hull under a flag of truce the next day.

APA

Hale, N. (n.d.). I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16117-i-only-regret-that-i-have-but-one/

MLA

Hale, Nathan. “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16117-i-only-regret-that-i-have-but-one/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Hale, Nathan. “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/16117-i-only-regret-that-i-have-but-one/.

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