persever- +
(Latin: to continue steadfastly, to persist)
The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.
A motto of fortitude and 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.
Motto on the seal of the State of Virginia, USA.
A motto of perseverance and steadfastness.
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".
I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature.