宁为玉碎，不为瓦全
rather be a shattered vessel of jade than an unbroken piece of pottery; rather fall to pieces like broken jade than remain intact as a worthless tile; rather die like a hero than live in dishonour
e.g. 大丈夫宁为玉碎，不为瓦全。
A real man would prefer death to disnonour.
e.g. 当年，他抱定了宁为玉碎，不为瓦全的决心奔赴抗日前线。
Resolving that he would rather die in glory than live in disgrace, he set out for the anti-Japanese front.
