特立獨行

From the Book of Rites, Book 41 (《禮記·儒行》):

世治不輕，世亂不沮，同弗與，異弗非也，其特立獨行有如此者。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]

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世治不轻，世乱不沮，同弗与，异弗非也，其特立独行有如此者。 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]

From: The Book of Rites, c. 4^th – 2^nd century BCE

Shì zhì bù qīng, shì luàn bù jǔ, tóng fú yǔ, yì fú fēi yě, qí tèlì dúxíng yǒu rúcǐ zhě. [Pinyin]

When the state is well governed, he does not show any casualness or negligence; when it goes in disarray, he does not feel remorseful or frustrated. He never forms cliques with those who share a common goal, nor does he ever reproach those who cherish different ideals. Such is the distinctiveness of an outstanding Confucian scholar.

特立獨行

1. independent in mind and action; unconventional and strong-minded

   • 士之特立獨行，適於義而已。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     士之特立独行，适于义而已。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: c. early 9^th century, 韓愈 (Han Yu), 《伯夷頌》(Ode to Boyi)

     Shì zhī tèlìdúxíng, shì yú yì éryǐ. [Pinyin]

     A commendable person's steadfastness in his unique path is solely in accordance with righteousness.