Is it better to die as a free man, or live as a slave?

Question

I seem to remember this in a proverb or similar, and I wondered how many people agreed with it and why.

Answer 1

we are all slaves in a way and freedom is an internal state of mind so yes and no and no and yes paradoxical i think

Answer 2

Depending on who I was a slave to I might actually choose slavery. The ancient Norse had a class of slaves called House Karls or Hus Karls that were slaves who had earned their masters trust and were entrusted with his life. This class later evolved into the Royal BodyGuard of the Anglo-Saxons. For me the question is whether or not you see reason to live. Most ancient civilisations gave their slaves a way to earn their freedom. The Spartans were the exception not the norm. Within the Roman Republic and even the Empire a slave could not only earn his freedom but actually earn citizenship. So for me living as a slave would be better than dieing as a free man.

Answer 3

On my dogtags where religion is suposed to be stamped in, I have the NH state slogan there instead............"Live Free Or Die". Of course it;'s against regualtion but it's what I beolieve. I would rather live free and be blessed with however much time I was given on this earth. Make the best of each day.
Ill tell ya, Im a good talker but 3 years ago I met hell at 28 years old. I never understood "one day at a time". I dont want to be a slave to this **** anymore.

Yes, Id say it's better to die as a free man.

Answer 4

Ha ha haa ask the citizens of the U.S.A that same question, they are all slaves and they love it !!!!!!!!
Myself i think it would depend on the cirumstances of life as a slave and life as a free man, what good i can achieve and how it satisfied my needs in life, no point in dying if you can change the world.
Look at the black slaves from the early earer of the states they chjanged the world with there music, while fighting to be free. Put some substance behind the question and i could answer more to the point.
I like big fluffy scarey monsters that make rooster noises and throw plant pots out the window at inocent grannys who happen to be tottering by. They love flowers them old grannys.

Answer 5

reckoning on who i grew to become a slave to i could desire to somewhat % slavery. the classic Norse had a kind of slaves called dwelling house Karls or Hus Karls that have been slaves who had earned their masters believe and have been entrusted at the same time together with his existence. this way later stepped forward into the Royal BodyGuard of the Anglo-Saxons. For me the question isn't any count selection if or no longer you spot reason to stay. maximum historic civilisations gave their slaves the thank you to earn their freedom. The Spartans have been the exception no longer the norm. indoors the Roman Republic or possibly the Empire a slave could prefer to no longer in rapidly forward words earn his freedom yet somewhat earn citizenship. So for me residing as a slave could desire to be better advantageous than dieing as a loose guy.

Answer 6

The best answer is to change the way you view the world.

If you think you are a free man then think again about what restraints there really are in your life that other people do not have. If you think you are a slave, consider the freedoms you have that other people do not have.

It is best to live your life and be happy. Dying happy would be an added bonus!

Answer 7

I think that it really depends on a lot of different factors. For instance I personally would rather be wealthy and free. Right now I am poor and free. So I honestly could say that I would give up my freedom to never have to worry about money again....about where the rent will come from, paying the power bill, and buy food. I could see myself living as the maid to someone just so I would never have to worry about those things...but ONLY if the person is nice to his/her servants, non-abusive. That's my personal preferrence.

Answer 8

i would rather die free than be a slave cause if you are a slave you don't have a life or choices so it is like you are dead and by dieing free you make your own decision to die. i couldn't stomach the thought of being a slave it makes me feel sick. of course i would die fighting to the very bitter end even if i was bleeding with a knife in my back i would rip it out and stab the person that stabbed me

Answer 9

I view human life as sacred, and therefore it is better to live as a slave than to die.

I think to an extent even when we are enslaved we maintain certain freedoms. For example, freedom of speech can be removed, but no one can prevent freedom of thought. Though slavery is never desirable, there is also an extent to which it can be seen as character building. In 'Man's Search for Meaning' Victor Frankl examines his own search for meaning whilst he was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. The most meaningful thing for him was how the suffering built his character.

Answer 10

i wonder really how many people would actually commit suicide (or fight a superior force to the death) to stay free in death rather than live in hope of freedom as a slave.
if you study ancient history most (if not all) of the conquering nations made slaves of there captives. than its oblivious that most captives preferred to life as slaves then die.
there is always hope consider all Africans that were sold into slavery to the Americas and elsewhere kill themselves or were killed in there revolt(and there were a good few revolts), there wouldn't be any free African Americans today.
few things are so cut and dried
i would choose hope over death it that was my only choice

Answer 11

Hairy Hello,

I think if we knew real freedom then we would fight for it. British society is passive and complacent i think. And gradually by the creation of new laws we are having our freedom removed. All this 9/11 stuff has taken its toll on our society, we are being fed fear through the media. I hope at some time we will find our voice universally. I'm not sure that will happen in this land of consumer quick fixes inoculating us against what really matters.