This proverb means that one must face adversities and show courage, even when it seems frightening or insurmountable. Historically, it referred to a law by Radama I that those who deserted the battlefield were condemned to be burned alive. Therefore, the idea is to prefer facing the enemy to running away, as fleeing entails certain death. An equivalent proverb in English would be: ‘Better to die on your feet than live on your knees.’