Perseverance vs. Being Stubborn

DEFINITIONS Perseverance - To go on resolutely in spite of opposition, importunity, or obstacles; to remain unchanged or fixed in a specified character, condition, or position; to stick with something, especially something difficult or challenging Being stubborn - Bring unreasonably or perversely unyielding; mulish; unyielding and unopen to reason; performed or carried on in an obstinate or rigid manner; difficult to handle, manage or treat COMPARISONS Going forward vs. Stonewalling Working toward something vs. Refusing to do something Having a positive goal vs. Having a negative goal EXAMPLE Henry Ward Beecher said, "The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and and the other from a strong won't." Selina persevered in her goal of becoming a teacher. She kept at it despite a lot of obstacles. At one point she had to stop and take a job to pay the tuition. At another time, her study was interrupted when her husband was transferred. To get her degree and become a teacher took a lot of time, energy and money, but she persevered and achieved her goal. Evan was stubborn and withholding in his relationship with Esmerelda. He would not give her what she wanted under any circumstances. He would ask her where she wanted to go for dinner. She would say,