His life was without reproach. His constant heroism equalled his conviction; and if his theory was false, his personal example was irreproachable. He was the model of all the virtues he preached. His abnegation, his charity, his unalterable gentleness did not forsake him for an instant. He prepared his doctrine by six years of silence and meditation, and he propagated it for half a century by the sole power of his word. And when he died in the arms of his disciples, it was with the serenity of a sage who had practised good all his life, and who was assured he had found the truth.—Barthélemy St. Hilaire.
Sir Edwin Arnold (in the preface to his "The Light of Asia") calls Gautama "the highest, gentlest, holiest and most beneficent personality, with one exception, in the History of Thought," who "united the truest princely qualities with the intellect of a sage and the passionate devotion of a martyr.... Forests of flowers are daily laid upon his stainless shrines, and countless millions of lips daily repeat the formula, 'I take refuge in Buddha!'"[24]
Gellert (Christian Fürchtegott, a German poet of rare grace and beauty), 1715-1769. "Now, God be praised, only one hour!" on being told that he could live only an hour.
George IV. (of England, eldest son of George III. and Queen Charlotte), 1762-1830. "Wally, what is this? It is death, my boy: they have deceived me," said to his page, Sir Walthen Waller.
Gerson (Charlier de, surnamed "The Most Christian Doctor," chancellor of the University of Paris and canon of Notre-Dame. He is supposed to have been the author of the "Imitation of Christ," attributed to Thomas à Kempis), 1363-1429. "Now, O God, thou dost let thy servant depart in peace! The soul that is accompanied to eternity by the prayers of three hundred children, may advance with humble hope into the presence of their Father and their God."
The pious Gerson, the canon of the church and chancellor of the University of Paris, had the terror of his last moments assuaged by the prayers of three hundred children supported and educated by his charity, and who were congregated in his house from the threshold to his bedchamber.
Gibbon (Edward, author of "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"), 1737-1794. "Mon Dieu! Mon Dieu!"
Some authorities give his last words thus: "Pourquoi est ce que vous me quittez," to his valet-de-chambre.
The valet-de-chambre observed that Mr. Gibbon did not at any time, show the least sign of alarm, or apprehension of death; and it does not appear that he ever thought himself in danger, unless his desire to speak to Mr. Darrell may be considered in that light.
Lord Sheffield's Memoirs.