Nìng wéi yùsuì; bù wéi wǎquán.

寧為玉碎;不為瓦全。

Lit Rather be a shattered jade [vessel] than to be a complete [piece of] pottery.

Fig It is better to die in glory than to live in dishonor.

Note [Note: yùsuì, (lit) “shattered jade,” is a literary phrase meaning “death before dishonor”; see also nìngkě yùsuì above.]

Topics COMPARISON HONOR rhyme