不孝有三，无后为大

不孝有三，無後為大
bùxiàoyǒusān,wúhòuwéidà
there are three ways to be unfilial; having no sons is the worst (from Mencius 孟子 Mèngzǐ)

CEDICT

Entry Composition

1 不孝 bùxiào unfilial
2 有 yǒu
  1. to have; there is
  2. (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意 yǒuyì intentional)
3 三 sān
  1. three
  2. 3
4 无后 wúhòu (literary) to have no descendants; to have no son to continue one's lineage
=5 为 wéi
  1. as (in the capacity of)
  2. to take sth as
  3. to act as
  4. to serve as
  5. to behave as
  6. to become
  7. to be
  8. to do
  9. by (in the passive voice)
=5 为 wéi variant of 为 wéi
6 大 dà
  1. big; large; great
  2. older (than another person)
  3. eldest (as in 大姐 dàjiě)
  4. greatly; freely; fully
  5. (dialect) father
  6. (dialect) uncle (father's brother)