QuoteProject
The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.
Henry Ward Beecher
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Perseverance is driven by determination, while obstinacy stems from refusal to change.

This quote highlights the distinction between perseverance and obstinacy. Perseverance is a positive force that emerges from a strong will fueled by motivation and determination to overcome challenges, while obstinacy represents a negative force that results from an unwillingness to adapt or compromise, often leading to stubbornness without productive outcomes.

Themes

PerseveranceObstinacyWillpowerDeterminationChange

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability.

More from Henry Ward Beecher

The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
A man who cannot get angry is like a stream that cannot overflow, that is always turbid. Sometimes indignation is as good as a thunderstorm in summer, clearing and cooling the air.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No one can deal with the hearts of men unless he has the sympathy which is given by love.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
We are always on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
No man can tell if he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.
Henry Ward BeecherRead
There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.
Henry Ward BeecherRead

Similar quotes

Two little mice fell in a bucket of cream. The first mouse quickly gave up and drowned. The second mouse, wouldn't quit. He struggled so hard that eventually he churned that cream into butter and crawled out. Gentlemen, as of this moment, I am that second mouse.
Frank AbagnaleRead
Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion.
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich HegelRead
It's a strange thing, you have said it thousands of times I am sure...you will never know what you can do until you try. However the sad truth is, that most people never try anything until they know they can do it.
Bob ProctorRead
There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming. At times you may feel like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember-David did win!
Thomas S. MonsonRead
An empowering mission statement has to become a living document, part of our very nature, so that the criteria we've put into it are also in us, in the way we live our lives day by day.
Stephen CoveyRead
Success isn't owned - it's leased. And rent is due every day. Every single day, someone's coming for your job. Someone's coming for your greatness. If you're the greatest, someone wants to be the greatest, and so if you're not constantly improving your game, somebody else is.
J. J. WattRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.