Dishonor inside [at-で] live [than-より] killed-was way [subject-が] better [copula-だ].
不名誉 = 'dishonor/disgrace.' ~より~方がましだ = 'X is better than Y' (where 'better' implies 'the lesser evil'). まし = 'preferable (of two bad options).' A dramatic, literary sentiment.