--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have but one request to ask at my…" description: "\"I have but one request to ask at my departure from this world; it is-THE CHARITY OF ITS SILENCE. Let no man write my epitaph; for as no man who knows m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7d/robert-emmet-40819_asks_i-have-but-one-request-to-ask-at-my-depa_414079.jpg" --- # I have but one request to ask at my departure from this… ![“I have but one request to ask at my departure from this world; it is-THE CHARITY OF ITS SILENCE. Let no man write my epitaph; for as no man who knows my motives dare now vindicate them, let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. Let them and me rest in obscurity and peace, and my name remain…” quote by Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7d/robert-emmet-40819_asks_i-have-but-one-request-to-ask-at-my-depa_414079.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7d/robert-emmet-40819_asks_i-have-but-one-request-to-ask-at-my-depa_414079.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7d/robert-emmet-40819_asks_i-have-but-one-request-to-ask-at-my-depa_414079.jpg) > “I have but one request to ask at my departure from this world; it is-THE CHARITY OF ITS SILENCE. Let no man write my epitaph; for as no man who knows my motives dare now vindicate them, let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. Let them and me rest in obscurity and peace, and my name remain uninscribed, until other times and other men can do justice to my character. When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let my epitaph be written.” [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker requests anonymity and silence after death, valuing privacy over fame, and wishes future generations to judge fairly. **In simple terms:** He wants a quiet, unbiased legacy. Key Takeaway Seek humility and let actions speak. Themes legacy humility privacy posthumous reputation Mood reflective somber Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - political martyrdom - personal reputation - historical narrative Key Concepts ethical modesty historical memory Questions to Reflect On - What does anonymity mean for historical figures? - How can one ensure a fair posthumous assessment? A Different Perspective May be idealistic about future judgment. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Charity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charity/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dare/) [Departure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/departure/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Epitaph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epitaph/) [Epitaph Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epitaph-written-2659397/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Let Epitaph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-epitaph-2659398/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motive/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Obscurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obscurity/) [Prejudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prejudice/) [Request](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/request/) [Silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silence/) [This world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/this-world/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [Write Epitaph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write-epitaph-391695/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) [Written](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/written/) ## Related quotes > [Let no man write my epitaph. When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-no-man-write-my-epitaph-when-my-country-takes-her-place-among-the-2/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [“Let no man write my epitaph; for as no man who knows my motives, dares now to vindicate them, let not prejudice, nor ignorance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretta-curran-browne/let-no-man-write-my-epitaph-for-as-no-man-who-knows-my-motives-dares/) [Gretta Curran Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretta-curran-browne/) > [Let no man write my epitaph... When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then shall my character be vindicated,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-no-man-write-my-epitaph-when-my-country-takes-her-place-among-the/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [Let there be no inscription upon my tomb. Let no man write my epitaph. No man can write my epitaph. I am here ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-there-be-no-inscription-upon-my-tomb-let-no-man-write-my-epitaph-2/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [Let there be no inscription upon my tomb; let no man write my epitaph: no man can write my epitaph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-there-be-no-inscription-upon-my-tomb-let-no-man-write-my-epitaph/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [The epitaph written on the tomb of illegitimate child My life was evidence of the influence, in my mothers youth, of my father's betrayal,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-epitaph-written-on-the-tomb-of-illegitimate-child-my-life-was/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [When they write my epitaph, it's going to say, 'Innate Immunotherapeutics, saving millions of lives.' It's not going to be 'member of Congress.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-collins/when-they-write-my-epitaph-it-s-going-to-say-innate/) [Chris Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-collins/) > [One shouldn't write one's own epitaph. I hope people will remember me as one who did her best - and who wasn't an anachronism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margrethe-ii-of-denmark/one-shouldn-t-write-one-s-own-epitaph-i-hope-people-will-remember-me/) [Margrethe II of Denmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margrethe-ii-of-denmark/) > [If I were to write my epitaph... Epitaph? Hey, shut-up Albert. I'd want to be remembered as someone who loved his sport and tried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-ii-prince-of-monaco/if-i-were-to-write-my-epitaph-epitaph-hey-shut-up-albert-i-d-want-to/) [Albert II, Prince of Monaco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-ii-prince-of-monaco/) > [“My life will end someday, but it will end at my convenience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/my-life-will-end-someday-but-it-will-end-at-my-convenience/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Warm summer sun, shine kindly here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/warm-summer-sun-shine-kindly-here/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [I always thought I'd like my own tombstone to be blank. No epitaph, and no name. Well, actually, I'd like it to say 'figment.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/i-always-thought-i-d-like-my-own-tombstone-to-be-blank-no-epitaph-and/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > ["Gun-wielding recluse gunned down by local police" isn't the epitaph I want. I am hoping for "Witnesses reported the sound up to two hundred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nicoll/gun-wielding-recluse-gunned-down-by-local-police-isn-t-the-epitaph-i/) [James Nicoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nicoll/) > [Epitaphs are cheap, and they do a poor chap a world of good after he is dead, especially if he had hard luck while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/epitaphs-are-cheap-and-they-do-a-poor-chap-a-world-of-good-after-he/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Wouldn’t that make a charming epitaph? Here lies Cat. Killed not by fang, but Ferragamos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/wouldn-t-that-make-a-charming-epitaph-here-lies-cat-killed-not-by/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) ## More by Robert Emmet > [Let there be no inscription upon my tomb; let no man write my epitaph: no man can write my epitaph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-there-be-no-inscription-upon-my-tomb-let-no-man-write-my-epitaph/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [The smell of rotted corpses walkng down our main streets proves that Ireland is not yet free but a victim of greed. British Retail…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/the-smell-of-rotted-corpses-walkng-down-our-main-streets-proves-that/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [Let no man write my epitaph... When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then shall my character be vindicated,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-no-man-write-my-epitaph-when-my-country-takes-her-place-among-the/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [Let there be no inscription upon my tomb. Let no man write my epitaph. No man can write my epitaph. I am here ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-there-be-no-inscription-upon-my-tomb-let-no-man-write-my-epitaph-2/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [I have much to say why my reputation should be rescued from the load of false accusation and calumny which has been heaped upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/i-have-much-to-say-why-my-reputation-should-be-rescued-from-the-load/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [Let no man dare, when I am dead. to charge me with dishonor; let no man attaint my memory by believing that I could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-no-man-dare-when-i-am-dead-to-charge-me-with-dishonor-let-no-man-2/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [Calumniators are those who have neither good hearts nor good understandings. We ought not to think ill of any one till we have palpable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/calumniators-are-those-who-have-neither-good-hearts-nor-good/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [A man in my situation, my lords, has not only to encounter the difficulties of fortune. and the force of power over minds which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/a-man-in-my-situation-my-lords-has-not-only-to-encounter-the/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) > [Let no man write my epitaph. When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then, and not till then, let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-emmet/let-no-man-write-my-epitaph-when-my-country-takes-her-place-among-the-2/) [Robert Emmet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) [Explore all 10 Robert Emmet quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-emmet/) ## More Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. 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If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. 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That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) [Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asks/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have but one request to ask at my departure from this world; it is-THE CHARITY OF ITS SILENCE. Let no man write my epitaph; for as no man who knows my motives dare now vindicate them, let not prejudice or ignorance asperse them. 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