先禮而後兵 [－礼－后－]

Jyutping sin1 lai5 ji4 hau6 bing1
Pinyin xiān lǐ ér hòu bīng

Definitions (粵典–words.hk)
  1. 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.
  2. 參看
    先禮後兵
Examples (粵典–words.hk)
  1. Cantonese
    我哋先礼而后兵，睇吓点先再算。
    我哋先禮而後兵，睇吓點先再算。
    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.