a.k.a. doggedness, indefatigability, persistence, sisu, steadfastness, tenacity

Complementary virtues¶

• determination
• endurance
• patience
• resilience
• resolve

Contrasting vices¶

• bull-headedness (vice of excess)
• folding in the face of adversity
• giving up too early
• being a quitter
• pertinacity (vice of excess)
• stubbornness (vice of excess)

Virtues possibly in tension¶

• flexibility

How to acquire or strengthen it¶

• “Giving up” is a coping strategy for dealing with stress. If you over-rely on it, the solution might be to strengthen some of the many other possible coping strategies.

Notes and links¶

• VIA Institute character strengths: perseverance
• Intellectual tenacity
• Aristotle on steadfastness in the context of self-control
• positivepsychologynews.com/news/marta-velazquez/2014121530618
• Sisu: mental toughness
• TED Talk: True Grit; Can Perseverance Be Taught?
• OOO: stubbornness/perseverance
• (persistence of effort, yes; consistency of interest, not so much)

Mentioned elsewhere¶

TBD

Inspirational quotes¶

• “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” ―Maya Angelou
• “Little strokes fell great oaks.” ―Benjamin Franklin (as Poor Richard)