He honors the dead 's sacrifice : `` Thus choosing to die resisting , rather than to live submitting , they fled only from dishonor , but met danger face to face '' . He also warmly encourages the living to continue to fight for true democracy : `` You , their survivors , must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field , though you may pray that it may have a happier issue '' . Pericles ' speech , like Lincoln 's , begins with an acknowledgment of revered predecessors : `` I shall begin with our ancestors : it is both just and proper that they should have the honor of the first mention on an occasion like the present '' ; then praises the uniqueness of the State 's commitment to democracy : `` If we look to the laws , they afford equal justice to all in their private differences '' ; honors the sacrifice of the slain , `` Thus choosing to die resisting , rather than to live submitting , they fled only from dishonor , but met danger face to face '' ; and exhorts the living to continue the struggle : `` You , their survivors , must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field , though you may pray that it may have a happier issue . ''