maintain one's own integrity; mind one's own business
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to maintain one's personal integrity and moral cultivation when unable to serve in office
literaryThis is the original classical meaning from Mencius. It describes a Confucian ideal of self-cultivation in adversity.
As the ancients said, one should cultivate one's own virtue when in poverty and benefit the whole world when successful.
In that dark age, he could only choose to retreat to the mountains and focus on his own moral cultivation.
verb
to mind one's own business; to be concerned only with one's own well-being; to have no sense of collective spirit
neutralThis is the modern, often slightly negative usage, implying selfishness or lack of social responsibility.
Faced with conflicts among colleagues, he always adopts an attitude of minding his own business and never voices an opinion.
We cannot just think about looking out for ourselves; we must also help each other.
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He is someone who keeps to himself and never participates in group activities.