The quote is missing some context. In the book, the character was squaring up to face - well, not exactly a rival, but more like her own failures and mistakes that had gotten out of hand and caused people suffering. She's not choosing death, here, but rather choosing to face the consequences of her actions, and if that causes her death, then so be it. Personally, I see this as, if not motivating in and of itself, a good example of someone becoming motivated. If what we wanted was easy and safe, we wouldn't need the motivation.