During Conan’s final words as Tonight Show host, there were tears and there was plenty of class in everything said.

And this request of his fans: “Please do not be cynical.  I hate cynicism, for the record it’s my least favorite quality, it doesn’t lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”

Here’s Mediaite’s coverage, including video of his statement.