Kural - 967

Better 'twere said, 'He's perished!' than to gain
The means to live, following in foeman's train

Explanation
It is better for a man to be said of him that he died in his usual state than that he eked out his life by following those who disgraced him.

Tamil Transliteration
Ottaarpin Sendroruvan Vaazhdhala?n Annilaiye
Kettaan Enappatudhal Nandru.