Individualism, as a definition of holding to personal ideals, is classed as obstinacy and anti-social. Inevitably we run point blank into the evils of compromise. When compromise enters our moral fiber, it spreads like a cancerous growth. We think we plan adequate safeguards around areas in which we contemplate yielding our standards, but once we lower the fence and break our strong will to do right, come what may, we expose ourselves to forces that spread beyond control. Compromise always starts on some rather insignificant principle. The dangers of yielding seem negligible and we usually risk those things first where observation and detection by others is difficult. We thus seek to avoid censure and discipline. In a short time we find ourselves trading our principles for false values and doing it in the black market of human relationships. . . .
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Obstinacy is the result of the will forcing itself into the place of the intellect.
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Speaking generally, punishment hardens and numbs, it produces obstinacy, it sharpens the sense of alienation and strengthens the power of resistance.
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One of the satisfactions of a genius is his will-power and obstinacy.
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Obstinacy in a bad cause is but constancy in a good.
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Obstinacy is will asserting itself without being able to justify itself. It is persistence without a reasonable motive. It is the tenacity of self-love substituted for that of reason and conscience.
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Persistence in a single view has never been regarded as a merit in political leaders.
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[Optimism is] the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst.
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Love is the only fire hot enough to melt the iron obstinacy of a creature's will.
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The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.
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The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is, that one often comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't.
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