Nothing in his life
Became him like the leaving it; he died
As one that had been studied in his death
To throw away the dearest thing he owed,
As ‘t were a careless trifle.
– William Shakespeare
Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 4. Malcolm gives the news to Duncan that the rebel Thane of Cawdor has been executed for treason. There’s irony in his insult that the thane’s brave acceptance of his death was his greatest achievement in life.