At a time when problems were resolved with fists, swords and cannons, each of the parties to the conflict fought for what it believed was right and what it truly believed. But in order to lead the masses, spread their ideas and make others believe in their values, it is necessary to use much more powerful weapons than rifles and daggers. This weapon was the word. Now the speeches of the great governors and universally recognized leaders have been compiled into quotes about courage and courage, and one of them reads as follows: "It is better to die standing than to live on your knees." Whether it is the leader of the country, the ideological inspirer of a certain direction, or just the person responsible for the results of the activities of a small group of people, he must have the skills to choose the right words in order to fill the rest with a sense of duty, responsibility or honor.
“It is better to die standing than to live on your knees” - who said and in what conditions?
Political systems are constantly replacing one with one, transforming and improving. And a considerable role in their formation is played by organizations and parties where such an instrument as a word is used by real masters of oratory. In 1936, in one of her phenomenal speeches, the Spanish Communist Dolores Ibarruri said: "It is better to die while standing than to live on your knees."
Since that time, this famous phrase has become popular for many people and has raised questions in the minds of many thinkers about what meanings it can acquire and what meaning it carries. Having the talent to generate bright, unquenchable emotions in the hearts of people, Dolores Ibarruri used words whose relevance will not be lost after centuries and which again and again will push many of us to important, sometimes fateful decisions.
Who is Dolores Ibarruri?
Dolores Ibarruri, thanks to her principles, determination and steadfastness, has become one of those whose name appears on many pages of history. As a member of the Spanish international movement, she became part of the republican movement during the Civil War, and then became an opposition figure to the Franco dictatorship.
Contribution to History
Spain, and later the whole world, Dolores Ibarruri was remembered as Pasionaria. She chose this pseudonym for herself and completely justified it. Translated "Pasionaria" means "fiery", "passionate." She was like that, and that was her speech. In a word, it made people fight, rise from their knees and follow what the people should rightfully have. “It is better to die than live on your knees” - the author of this phrase again and again awakened the forces that for a long time lurked in oppressed hearts. Dolores Ibarruri went down in history as a woman who, despite her fragility, forged the new life of not only Spain, but also the Soviet Union with iron words and steel actions.
Prophecy of the Pasionary
Dolores Ibarruri lived for a long time in the USSR, where her son Ruben joined the Red Army and fought for this country until the last breath. In the battle of Stalingrad, as part of the 35th Guards Rifle Division, he assumed the responsibilities of a detachment commander and with the determination of his mother inspired them to continue the battle. The Nazis retreated, threw their guns and rifles, and the detachment, meanwhile, lost sight of its commander. He was found "buried" in a pile of bodies, almost lifeless, and sent to a hospital. For a week and a half the doctors fought for his life, but they could not save Ruben.
When Dolores Ibarruri learned of the death of her son, she spoke words that became prophecy. They sounded as follows: "When you defeat fascism and the Red Banner will fly over Berlin, I will know that there is a drop of my Ruben’s blood on this banner." And these words came true. In May 1945, Germany signed the act of unconditional surrender of the German armed forces. The "fiery" Dolores knew that her son's blood was not shed in vain.
The meaning of the phrase “Better to die than to live on your knees”
What is freedom and what significance does it have for each of us, for an entire country, for the world? How could a few words make the crowd go and fight for their own? What is inherent in the famous phrase “It is better to die standing than to live on your knees”?
These words were voiced at a time when many problems were solved by wars, but not a bit have lost their relevance and significance today. The issues of personal values or values common to the whole people should be defended as part of themselves, their culture and history. If there is faith in something, then there will always be strength. Now, as in all times of the existence of society, injustice is encountered at every step, the interests of some completely stop the process of realizing the interests of others, the strong decide the life of the weak, and the world, in the end, becomes indifferent. And it is true, it is better to die standing than to live on your knees, because infringements, restrictions, whether they be in the form of forcible imprisonment of entire nations or an unfair and unfair attitude to the values and rights of another, should be exterminated. What is the point of living on your knees, indulging in the interests of others, completely forgetting about personal ones, if you can stand on your feet, breathing deeply, face injustice and decisively fight it ?!
