Quotes: Perseverence, Persistence

(consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing until it gets there)

perseverance (s) (noun)
1. Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.
2. Determined continuation with something: the steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite difficulties or setbacks.
3. In theology, the Calvinistic doctrine that those who have been chosen by God will continue in a state of grace to the end and will finally be saved; while in the Roman Catholic Church, belief in God's grace and the belief that God's grace lasts to the end of somebody's life if that person has maintained his or her good works and faith.

Doggedness, steadfastness, persistence, tenacity, pertinacity

Perseverance commonly suggests activity maintained in spite of difficulties or steadfast and long-continued application: "Endurance and perseverance combined to win in the end."

It is regularly used in a favorable sense; however, persistence, which may be used in either a favorable or an unfavorable sense, implies unremitting (and sometimes annoying) perseverance: persistence in a belief; persistence in talking when others want to study.

Tenacity, with the original meaning of adhesiveness, as of glue, is a dogged and determined holding on. Whether used literally or figuratively it has favorable implications; such as, "a bulldog quality of tenacity"; "the tenacity of one's memory".

Pertinacity, unlike its related word, is used chiefly in an unfavorable sense, that of overinsistent tenacity: the pertinacity of a social climber.

persevere
1. To persist in or to remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.
2. To persist steadily in an action or belief, usually over a long period and especially despite problems or difficulties.
3. To be persistent, to refuse to stop.
4. Etymology: from Old French perseverer, from Latin perseverare, "to continue steadfastly, to persist"; from persevereus, "very strict, earnest", from per-, "very" plus severus, "strict".
persist
1. To keep carrying on, to continue steadily or obstinately despite problems, difficulties, or obstacles.
2. To be obstinately repetitious, insistent, or tenacious.
3. To hold firmly and steadfastly to a purpose, state, or undertaking despite obstacles, warnings, or setbacks.
4. To continue being widely believed or accepted despite evidence or proof to the contrary. a view that persists to this day.
5. To continue happening, lasting, or existing.
6. Etymology: existing since 1538, from Middle French (about 1400-1600) persister, from Latin persistere, "to continue steadfastly"; from per-, "thoroughly" + sistere "to come to stand, to cause to stand still".
persistence
1. The quality of continuing steadily despite problems or difficulties.
2. To go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warnings.
persistency
A staying or continuing quality.
persistent
1. Tenaciously or obstinately continuing despite problems or difficulties.
2. Incessant or unrelenting; existing or continuing for an unpleasantly long time.
3. Constantly repeated; continued; such as, persistent noise.
persistently
To continue to exist past the usual time, or to continue to do something in a determined way even when facing difficulties or opposition.

Quotations

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved, and always will solve, the problems of the human race.
—Calvin Coolidge


Taking the path of least persistence is the most direct route to failure.
—John Rayoa


Don't Quit!

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must—but don't you quit!
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
—Anonymous


Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck—but, most of all, endurance.
—James Baldwin (1924-1987)


Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
—William Blake


Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.
—Walter Elliott


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