firmness

n.

The state or quality of being firm.

Syn. -- Firmness, Constancy. Usage: Firmness belongs to the will, and constancy to the affections and principles; the former prevents us from yielding, and the latter from fluctuating. Without firmness a man has no character; «without constancy,» says Addison, «there is neither love, friendship, nor virtue in the world.»

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noun

1. Reliability in withstanding pressure, force, or stress: fastness, hardness, security, soundness, stability, stableness, steadiness, strength, sturdiness, sureness. See better/worse, change/persist, continue/stop/pause.
2. Unwavering firmness of character, action, or will: decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determination, purpose, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve, toughness, will, willpower. See certain/uncertain, strong/weak.
3. The condition of being free from defects or flaws: durability, integrity, solidity, soundness, stability, strength, wholeness. See better/worse.

n

Definition: immovability
Antonyms: infirmity, instability, movability, yielding

n

Definition: resolution, resolve
Antonyms: indefiniteness, uncertainty

n

Definition: stiffness
Antonyms: flexibility, looseness, softness, weakness

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IN BRIEF: Not likely to be changed.

Firmness of purpose is one of the best instruments of success. — Lord Chesterfield Stanhope (1694-1773).

Quotes:

"The purpose firm is equal to the deed." - Edward Young

"Steadfastness is a noble quality, but unguided by knowledge or humility it becomes rashness or obstinacy." - J. Swartz

"A wise man who stands firm is a statesman, a foolish man who stands firm is a catastrophe." - Adlai E. Stevenson

"The greatest firmness is the greatest mercy." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"It is only persons of firmness that can have real gentleness. Those who appear gentle are, in general, only a weak character, which easily changes into asperity." - Francois De La Rochefoucauld

"Real firmness is good for anything; strut is good for nothing." - Alexander Hamilton

See more famous quotes about Firmness