自持 (zì chí) — to exercise self-restraint; to be self-possessed; (literary, sometimes pejorative) to keep oneself aloof; to maintain an arrogant distance
Definition
Literary verb meaning to stay composed and self-restrained, often under pressure or temptation. The second sense — aloof and proud — is pejorative and usually appears negated (e.g. 从不自持清高).
verb
to exercise self-restraintto be self-possessed(literary, sometimes pejorative) to keep oneself aloofto maintain an arrogant distance
Examples
- ，自持。Miàn duì yòu huò, tā néng zì chí bù jīng.Faced with temptation, he can maintain composure without being shaken.
- ，自持。Tā suī chū shēn míng mén, què cóng bú zì chí qīng gāo.Although born into a distinguished family, she never acts arrogantly aloof.
- ，自持。Zài biàn lùn zhōng, tā shǐ zhōng zì chí yǒu lǐ yǒu jié.During the debate, he always maintained self-possession with reason and moderation.
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