peaceful measures before using force (idiom); diplomacy before violence
jaw-jaw is better than war-war
Definitions (CC-CANTO)
(idiom) (figurative) Negotiation will be used to reach a solution before using military force
Definitions (粵典–words.hk)
語句
先以禮貌、或者和平嘅方式解決，如果唔成事嘅話，再用武力、或者較強硬嘅方式去做 to try peaceful means before resorting to violent ways
我哋先禮而後兵，睇吓點先再算。
我哋先礼而后兵，睇吓点先再算。
ngo5 dei6 sin1 lai5 ji4 hau6 bing1, tai2 haa2 dim2 sin1 zoi3 syun3. We try to be peaceful and see how things go on. Only if it fails, we resort to violent means.
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先禮而後兵
Definitions (Wiktionary)
phrase, idiomatic
when dealing with another, to begin by approaching the situation politely - then, when results are not forthcoming, to resort to aggression