put this in other words:

“I know not what others may choose but, as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”

How can anyone paraphrase these immortal words of Patrick Henry?

But if we must --

I'd rather die than give up my freedom.

"Give me my freedom or I would rather die."

In simpler terms, the phrase means "I don't know what choices others might make, but as for me, I would rather have freedom even if it means dying."