寧為玉碎,不為瓦全 nìng wéi yù suì , bù wéi wǎ quán

DEFINITIONS

  1. Better broken jade than intact tile.
  2. Death is preferable to dishonor. (idiom)

CHARACTERS

寧 nìng repose, serenity, peace; peaceful
為 wéi do, handle, govern, act; be
玉 yù jade, precious stone, gem
碎 suì break, smash; broken, busted
不 bù no, not; un-; negative prefix
為 wéi do, handle, govern, act; be
瓦 wǎ tile; earthenware pottery; girl
全 quán maintain, keep whole or intact