great men have eccentricities; fine horses have quirks
Proverb meaning that outstanding people or things often have unusual or difficult traits; used to excuse or explain someone's peculiar behavior by likening them to a spirited horse.
He's an oddball, but as they say, great men have eccentricities.
あのピアニストは気難しいが、名馬に癖ありだ。
That pianist is temperamental, but fine horses have quirks.
A traditional Japanese proverb; the exact origin is uncertain, but it draws on the image that a spirited, exceptional horse often has difficult habits.