Tenacity

[FingerDub]

First, persistence is not the same. Tenacity means never giving up as persistence dictates routine. Being tenacious is a spirit that lives within. The things I did tenaciously led me to the best results and situations in life.

I am arguing here that tenacity is underdefined, and perhaps the greatest character trait needed to be a self defined success.

I wrote this high, but after extended thought and writing i still believe it.

 

[bholder]

I have so much tenacity it's elevenacity! Nah, seriously, more like sevenacity, just don't have the patience...

 

[hrodbert696]

Etymology isn't necessarily meaning, but it can help...

"Persistence" derives from the Latin per- (through) and sistere (to stand). So it evokes something that continues standing there through a period of time.

"Tenacity" derives from the Latin tenere (to hold). It evokes something that keeps holding on - presumably in the face of whatever would cause it to let go.

Both would indicate endurance in the face of adversity of some kind, even if the adversity were simply fatigue. But I'd agree there's a shade of difference, being "tenacious" is a little more active and aggressive, gripping something and not letting go, while "persisting" is a little more passive, remaining in place and not going away or folding.

There's also such a word as "pertinacious," which is the same as tenacious only more so. In English it generally means unreasonably stubborn.

 

[Gorn]

I've got moxie.

 

[bholder]

I've got moxie.

Mmmmm, Moxie!

 

[Chicory Blue]

I’m mostly just incorrigible.

--^@

 

[Funky Ghost]

I'd like to say I'm indefatigable, but lets face it, I'm in my 50's and fatigue and I? We're dance partners.

 

[shadowtippy]

I've got mojo, or scars.

 

[MJ5150]

-Mike

 

[Aberdumbie]

I wrote this high, but after extended thought and writing i still believe it.

It took me ten years to regain my tenacity after I stopped doing that!

 

[Lobster11]

Tenacity is a great trait to have if you're right, but a terrible trait to have if you're wrong.

 

[dreamadream99]

Tenacity is a great trait to have if you're right, but a terrible trait to have if you're wrong.

Yeah, I gotta agree with this.

Tenacity is awesome if you’re Bonnie Raitt, and you’ve been rejected for 20 years. Tenacity is just sad if you’re that guy from American Idol who thought he was Brittney Spears.