It is better to be a broken but beautiful and precious jade vessel than a whole but lowly clay one. In other words, be willing to die for one’s ideals and for what is right, than live without integrity or principle. This is another way of expressing a willingness to lay down one’s life for a just cause. Respecting the meaning and dignity of life over preserving one’s own life, and upholding righteousness and justice no matter the cost has been a quality much admired through the ages. This spirit has sustained and supported the Chinese people through many centuries of hardship and suffering.

A man of honor prefers to die for his ideals, like a smashed jade vessel, than save his skin, like a cheap clay pot. (The History of the Northern Qi Dynasty)