不孝有三，無後為大

There are three ways to be unfilial; having no sons is the worst. (citation from Mencius 孟子[Meng4 zi3])

no; not so / (bound form) not; un-

unfilial

filial piety or obedience / mourning apparel

to have; there is / (bound form) having; with; -ful; -ed; -al (as in 有意[you3 yi4] intentional)

three / 3

not to have / no / none / not / to lack / un- / -less

to lack male offspring

back / behind / rear / afterwards / after / later / post-

as (in the capacity of) / to take sth as / to act as / to serve as / to behave as / to become / to be / to do / by (in the passive voice)

because of / for / to

see 大夫[dai4 fu5]

big; large; great / older (than another person) / eldest (as in 大姐[da4 jie3]) / greatly; freely; fully / (dialect) father / (dialect) uncle (father's brother)