"I'd rather ... than ..."?

Most famous sayings have no textual research source:

1, I'd rather laugh and cry than cry and say I regret it.

I would rather lose my love than my self-esteem.

I'd rather you hold another woman and miss me than you hold me and miss another woman.

I would rather make mistakes with Plato than think correctly with these people (Pythagoras). Author Cicero

5. "I would rather lose an India than a Shakespeare." British Prime Minister Churchill

I would rather die standing than live on my knees.

7. I would rather die than take a step back!

8. I would rather believe that there are ghosts in the world than men's mouths.