This phrase does not present a cliché for two reasons. The first reason is that those who died can not love anything, so you must love intensely before you die. The second reason is that if the sentence presented a cliché it would be written as follows: "You must love as if you would die tomorrow."
The tone can portray the author's perception of his country because the tone will help the readers understand how the reader feel and his attitude towards his country.
