--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we have to have a choice between being…" description: "\"If we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we'd rather be alive and have the bad image.\" — Golda Meir" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/golda-meir-5181_alive_if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-bein_216460.png" --- # If we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied… ![“If we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we'd rather be alive and have the bad image.” quote by Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/golda-meir-5181_alive_if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-bein_216460.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/golda-meir-5181_alive_if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-bein_216460.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/golda-meir-5181_alive_if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-bein_216460.png) > “If we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we'd rather be alive and have the bad image.” [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing life despite a negative reputation is preferable to death with sympathy. **In simple terms:** Live even if people judge you. Key Takeaway Accept criticism, stay alive. Themes courage reputation survival Mood determined reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - Political leadership - personal crisis - public scrutiny - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts Existential choice social perception Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal integrity with public perception? - What costs are you willing to bear for life? A Different Perspective Living with a bad image can cause ongoing stress and isolation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Bad Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-image-999413/) [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choice Dead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice-dead-2222017/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Dead Pitied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dead-pitied-2222016/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Humorous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humorous/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [Pitied Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pitied-alive-1858584/) ## Related quotes > [This thought strengthened in me my belief that all men, without exception, deserve to be pitied, if only because they are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-moravia/this-thought-strengthened-in-me-my-belief-that-all-men-without/) [Alberto Moravia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-moravia/) > [A personal selfish prayer is bad whether made before an image or an unseen God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/a-personal-selfish-prayer-is-bad-whether-made-before-an-image-or-an/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [But I think the image that's thrown out on television is a bad image. Because you see players who want to imitate hip-hop stars.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-robertson/but-i-think-the-image-that-s-thrown-out-on-television-is-a-bad-image/) [Oscar Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-robertson/) > [Trump gives public service a bad image. It's not about flash, it's not about wealth, and it's not about hairstyle. It's about doing something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-schultz/trump-gives-public-service-a-bad-image-it-s-not-about-flash-it-s-not/) [Ed Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-schultz/) > [In Los Angeles there's, like, this awful image because the girls are so skinny. I don't think it's attractive whatsoever, and I also think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jana-kramer/in-los-angeles-there-s-like-this-awful-image-because-the-girls-are-so/) [Jana Kramer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jana-kramer/) > [We have a bad image in the world, I've got to admit. I just want people to think twice about Colombia. Don't go by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camilo-villegas/we-have-a-bad-image-in-the-world-i-ve-got-to-admit-i-just-want-people/) [Camilo Villegas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camilo-villegas/) > [You work to earn money. But in Japan, that idea has a bad image, and you're not supposed to say that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shuji-nakamura/you-work-to-earn-money-but-in-japan-that-idea-has-a-bad-image-and-you/) [Shuji Nakamura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shuji-nakamura/) > [Though the computer can correct anything, a bad image is a bad image.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-traub/though-the-computer-can-correct-anything-a-bad-image-is-a-bad-image/) [Charles Traub](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-traub/) > [Being seventy is not a sin. It's not a joy, either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/being-seventy-is-not-a-sin-it-s-not-a-joy-either/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [If the Wright brother were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/if-the-wright-brother-were-alive-today-wilbur-would-have-to-fire/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/) [Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Every child is born as angel.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/every-child-is-born-as-angel/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“Holy hell, Trev! What kind of move was that?” Trevor leaned over her with a big smile on his face. “You really thought I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecilia-aubrey-chris-almeida/holy-hell-trev-what-kind-of-move-was-that-trevor-leaned-over-her-with/) [Cecilia Aubrey & Chris Almeida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecilia-aubrey-chris-almeida/) > [“One of the classier features of this home was the padded toilet seat. It was high-mileage puffy brown vinyl-colored foam and made that weird…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-carolla/one-of-the-classier-features-of-this-home-was-the-padded-toilet-seat/) [Adam Carolla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-carolla/) ## More by Golda Meir > [I want to say to you, friends, that the Jewish community in Palestine is going to fight to the very end. If we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/i-want-to-say-to-you-friends-that-the-jewish-community-in-palestine/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [The Egyptians could run to Egypt, the Syrians into Syria. The only place we could run was into the sea, and before we did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/the-egyptians-could-run-to-egypt-the-syrians-into-syria-the-only/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [Being seventy is not a sin. It's not a joy, either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/being-seventy-is-not-a-sin-it-s-not-a-joy-either/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [Ability hits the mark where presumption overshoots and diffidence falls short.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/ability-hits-the-mark-where-presumption-overshoots-and-diffidence/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [Arab sovereignty in Jerusalem just cannot be. This city will not be divided-not half and half, not 60-40, not 75-25, nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/arab-sovereignty-in-jerusalem-just-cannot-be-this-city-will-not-be/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [You can get used to anything if you have to, even feeling perpetually guilty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/you-can-get-used-to-anything-if-you-have-to-even-feeling-perpetually/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [To be successful, a woman has to be much better at her job than a man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/to-be-successful-a-woman-has-to-be-much-better-at-her-job-than-a-man/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [Not being beautiful was the true blessing. Not being beautiful forced me to develop my inner resources. The pretty girl has a handicap to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/not-being-beautiful-was-the-true-blessing-not-being-beautiful-forced/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [To be or not to be is not a question of compromise. Either you be or you don't be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/to-be-or-not-to-be-is-not-a-question-of-compromise-either-you-be-or/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [I must govern the clock, not be governed by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/i-must-govern-the-clock-not-be-governed-by-it/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [Whether women are better than men I cannot say - but I can say they are certainly no worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/whether-women-are-better-than-men-i-cannot-say-but-i-can-say-they-are/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [Let me tell you the one thing I have against Moses. He took us forty years into the desert in order to bring us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/let-me-tell-you-the-one-thing-i-have-against-moses-he-took-us-forty/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [We don't want wars even when we win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/we-don-t-want-wars-even-when-we-win/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [“Don't be humble. Your not that great. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/don-t-be-humble-your-not-that-great/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [Can we today measure devotion to husband and children by our indifference to everything else?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/can-we-today-measure-devotion-to-husband-and-children-by-our/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) [Explore all 102 Golda Meir quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) ## More Alive quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [I don't crave applause. I'm not one of those guys who comes alive on stage. I'm much more alive at home, I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bowie/i-don-t-crave-applause-i-m-not-one-of-those-guys-who-comes-alive-on/) [David Bowie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bowie/) > [We must master our egoism, and through this mastery, step outside ourselves and educate ourselves in giving. Fasting requires that we rediscover all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tariq-ramadan/we-must-master-our-egoism-and-through-this-mastery-step-outside/) [Tariq Ramadan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tariq-ramadan/) > [I can't say that there are 'things' that make me come alive. There are thoughts that make me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-can-t-say-that-there-are-things-that-make-me-come-alive-there-are/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [We're like the wicked witch. We promise gingerbread, then eat the little brats alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/we-re-like-the-wicked-witch-we-promise-gingerbread-then-eat-the/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [If Jovan Belcher didn't possess a gun, he and Kasandra Perkins would both be alive today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-costas/if-jovan-belcher-didn-t-possess-a-gun-he-and-kasandra-perkins-would/) [Bob Costas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-costas/) > [Peace is an ongoing process. It begins with the first step and it does not end. We, all of us alive today, are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-krieger/peace-is-an-ongoing-process-it-begins-with-the-first-step-and-it-does/) [David Krieger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-krieger/) > [I think adoption becomes complicated whenever the biological parents are alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-haven/i-think-adoption-becomes-complicated-whenever-the-biological-parents/) [James Haven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-haven/) > [The pain of love is the pain of being alive. It is a perpetual wound.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-duffy/the-pain-of-love-is-the-pain-of-being-alive-it-is-a-perpetual-wound/) [Maureen Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-duffy/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [If Melanchthon were alive today, he might not weep because of controversies that surround the Lord's Supper, but he might well sorrow because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-w-lutzer/if-melanchthon-were-alive-today-he-might-not-weep-because-of/) [Erwin W. Lutzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-w-lutzer/) > [If you’re alive, don’t move, if you’re dead, don’t worry about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/if-you-re-alive-don-t-move-if-you-re-dead-don-t-worry-about-it/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [Here Greek and Roman find themselves alive along these crowded shelves; and Shakespeare treads again his stage, and Chaucer paints anew his age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-greenleaf-whittier/here-greek-and-roman-find-themselves-alive-along-these-crowded/) [John Greenleaf Whittier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-greenleaf-whittier/) > [You're alive!" Fezzik cried. The man in black sat immobile, like a ventriloquist's dummy, just his mouth moving. "That is perhaps the most childishly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-goldman/you-re-alive-fezzik-cried-the-man-in-black-sat-immobile-like-a/) [William Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-goldman/) [Browse all 7,282 Alive quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we'd rather be alive and have the bad image.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Golda Meir" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-being-dead-and-pitied-and-being/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alive" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-being-dead-and-pitied-and-being/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/golda-meir-5181_alive_if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-bein_216460.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/golda-meir-5181_alive_if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-bein_216460.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/14f/golda-meir-5181_alive_if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-bein_216460.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we'd rather be…” — Golda Meir", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Golda Meir", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If we have to have a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-being-dead-and-pitied-and-being/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/if-we-have-to-have-a-choice-between-being-dead-and-pitied-and-being/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```