From Song poet Zhang Xiaoxiang's
念奴娇·
过洞庭 (niàn nú jiāo · guò dòngtíng, 'Crossing Dongting Lake'):
应念岭表经年，
孤芳自赏 — recalling years spent beyond the southern ranges, a lone flower admiring itself. Originally a noble image of integrity in solitude; modern usage tilts toward criticism of self-absorbed aloofness.
