Chinese idiom · 成语
一意孤行
Meaning
Single-minded solitary path; stubborn persistence.
Character by character
Origin and story
Historical accountIn Shiji (史記), volume 122, the account of the severe officials Zhang Tang and Zhao Yu describes Zhao's deliberate distance from social influence. He keeps no retainers in his household and does not return the visits of high officials. He means to shut off personal requests from acquaintances and guests, and to handle matters independently according to his own judgment.
The passage's longer wording, 孤立行一意, emphasizes freedom from private influence. Later 一意孤行 usually has a negative force: stubbornly proceeding on one's own decision while ignoring advice. Knowing this shift helps distinguish the original official's independence from the modern criticism of refusing to listen.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
大家都提醒预算不够，他却一意孤行，坚持扩大活动规模。
Everyone warned that the budget was insufficient, but he stubbornly insisted on expanding the event.
Usually critical of disregarding advice, not a compliment for independent thought.