Stubborn or Persistent?
Trees–stubborn or persistent?
Photo Credit: | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos
© Einherjar
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence… Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
– Calvin Coolidge
A few days ago I published a post about how my stubborn husband was like a rock in the stream. And I was the stream. But that led to the troubling possibility that I was even more stubborn than he. Certain that such could not be true, I have taken to reading the dictionary. It is amazing how so many words that have similar meanings can have such different connotations.
Per Dictionary.com:
Perseverance: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
Persistence: to continue steadfastly or firmly in some state, purpose, course of action, or the like, especially in spite of opposition.
Determination: the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.
Stubborn:
- 1 .unreasonably obstinate; obstinately unmoving: a stubborn child.
- 2. fixed or set in purpose or opinion; resolute.
Ah, now I understand. My husband is stubborn. I am persistent. The difference is reason. Stubborn folks are unreasonable. We persistent, persevering types are merely resolute or set in purpose. Glad we could clear that up in my favor! (and be sure to ignore the second definition of stubborn, since you are my reader and not his!)
on Thursday, February 21, 2013