Is Nathan Hale’s legendary line “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” a true quote, a misquote or pure fiction?

On September 22, 1776, during the Revolutionary War, a former school teacher named Nathan Hale was hanged by the British for being a rebel spy. According to legend, Hale uttered…

“Live fast, die young and have [or leave] a good-looking corpse!”

The saying “Live fast, die young and have a good-looking corpse!” is often associated with actor James Dean. Dean didn’t say it as a line in any of his own…