“Death is better, a milder fate than tyranny.”

In a few words, aeschylus explored all that liberty is

At least while you live you are able to fight tyranny.

Joe has a point...

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" (Patrick Henry) On certain occasions, death can be better than tyranny without hope of liberty; BUT, Life is fantastic, then it just gets better. I am alive, therefore I pursue liberty and the elimination of tyranny.

The question is what price you will exact from the tyrant for your death. If you are going to simply be a sheep led to the slaughter, it is better to live. If your death could be one small piece of the puzzle that leads to the tyrants fall and will free your friends, it is well worth it. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Better for the individual perhaps, but death does nothing to resist tyranny

Live free or die.

So Jack, are you saying that all the U.S. soldiers that died in WWII did nothing to resist tyranny?