宁缺毋滥nìngquēwúlànMeanings1. better to have nothing (than substandard choice) (idiom); would prefer to go without than accept shoddy optionCharacters used宁peaceful缺deficiency毋not滥excessiveExamples1书shū和hé朋友péngyou应该yīnggāi是shì宁缺毋滥nìngquēwúlàn。Books and friends should be few but good.