Èsǐ, shì xiǎo; shījié, shì dà.

餓死事小, 失節事大。

Lit To starve to death [is a] small matter, [but to] lose one's integrity [is a] great matter.

Fig To die is a small thing compared to betraying one's integrity.

Note [Cf. Lu Xun's Zhōngguó Xiǎoshuō Shǐ Lüè; note: shījié originally referred to a woman losing her chastity or a widow dishonoring herself by remarrying.]

Topics DISHONOR HONOR INTEGRITY Lu Xun REMARRIAGE WIDOWS Zhōngguó_Xiǎoshuō_Shǐ_Lüè