It means that doing what you must is really hard and and to die is easy

Seeing how the phrase comes from Lan, look at it from his point of view...

 

He lost his family/kingdom/heritage/land/people/etc to the Shadow and Blight.  It has been said many times that he is fighting a one man war against the Shadow.

 

It would have been easy for him to ride headlong into the Blight and probably have a quick death.  He would have gone out trying to avenge his family/kingdom/heritage/land/people/etc. by fighting the quick fight.

 

Instead he chose to fight the long war against the shadow that had better odds of winning than a quick death.

I always thought that the saying was from Shienar, not something Lan made up himself. Maybe you mean Lan was the first person to say it to Rand?

 

 

 

Anyone who has been in the service, particularly the US, knows the answer.

 

In service everyday you know what you MIGHT have to do, and all potentials pile onto your shoulders, and if you can take it you an march forward and do things that you never expected. Death is easy, because only wuss bags bag out and kill themselves but those who serve, they find one more step to march forward and make a difference, because that is their duty, and their priveledge.

No offence, but why particularly in the US?

 

Non-conscript, higher rate of activity, and the fact we are the best. :)

*Cough* Vietnam *Cough*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone who has been in the service, particularly the US, knows the answer.

 

In service everyday you know what you MIGHT have to do, and all potentials pile onto your shoulders, and if you can take it you an march forward and do things that you never expected. Death is easy, because only wuss bags bag out and kill themselves but those who serve, they find one more step to march forward and make a difference, because that is their duty, and their priveledge.

 

No offence, but why particularly in the US?

Non-conscript, higher rate of activity, and the fact we are the best. :)

Of course you are...

Deadliest Warrior on Spike TV claims otherwise ;)

Clearly indisputable science there.

History disputes we beat the greatest military we beat the greatest military might in the world twice in our infancy and then saved them and the French twice

The war of 1812 was technically a draw and we did need the help of France in the war for independence. 

The war of 1812 was technically a draw and we did need the help of France in the war for independence.

how was it a draw? the US did not assimilate Canada thus the US lost

Since no side lost, no one gained or lost territory.  US didn't grab Canada but the British didn't get anything either.  Both sides willingly agreed to end the war and signed the treaty.  The war wasn't started because we wanted Canada.

History proves Deadliest Warrior wrong why you ask because we beat the greatest military might twice in our infancy then ended up saving them and the twice in the French twice

The French military only helped the last battle and the war actually started because the British were impressing American sailors into the navy Canada was only a side desire pushed by a few fools who wanted the timbre

Unless this is somehow connected to the WoT, I'd suggest taking the debate to the D&D section in the General Discussion section.