“Better to die on your feet than live on your knees.”

—  Aeschylus

The quote "Better to die on your feet than live on your knees." is famous quote attributed to Aeschylus (-525–-456 BC), ancient Athenian playwright.

This is usually attributed to Emiliano Zapata, but sometimes to Aeschylus, who is credited with expressing similar sentiments in Prometheus Bound: "For it would be better to die once and for all than to suffer pain for all one's life".
Misattributed

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update April 18, 2023. History

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Aeschylus photo
Aeschylus 119
ancient Athenian playwright -525–-456 BC

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I would rather die standing than live on my knees!
It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!
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