折れるより曲がれ。

折れるより曲がれ。

Better bend than break.

折(お)れるより曲(ま)がれ。

Oreru yori magare.

折れる (おれる)

to break; to be broken; to snap; to fracture; to be folded; to give in; to back down; to yield; to submit; to turn (a corner)

より (より)

than; from; out of; since; at; on; except; but; other than; more

曲がる (まがる)

to bend; to curve; to warp; to wind; to twist; to turn; to be awry; to be askew; to be crooked

Readings: セツ、お.る、おり、お.り、 -お.り、お.れる

Meanings: fold, break, fracture, bend, yield, submit

Readings: キョク、ま.がる、ま.げる、くま

Meanings: bend, music, melody, composition, pleasure, injustice, fault, curve, crooked, perverse, lean