nìng​quē​wú​làn

better to have nothing than something shoddy

Senses

宁缺毋滥/ 寧缺毋濫 nìng​quē​wú​làn (also níng​quē​wú​làn) better to have nothing than something shoddy

rather go without than accept something of poor quality; would prefer to have a vacancy or shortage than to fill it with something or someone substandard

References

variant 宁缺毋滥/寧缺毋濫 宁缺勿滥/寧缺勿濫
variant 宁缺勿滥/寧缺勿濫 宁缺毋滥/寧缺毋濫