Thought for the Week
Stubbornness is the trademark of contemporary culture. It seems that no one can be wrong anymore, or, God forbid, compromise on anything. Is stubbornness bad, then? Well, at its core, it’s simply a refusal to give up. And when it takes the form of tenacity in the face of evil or belittlement, it’s courageous and inspiring. So, no, it’s not always bad. But when it is simply vanity in disguise, and when it deteriorates into obstinacy and sets itself up against reason, it must be called out. Or laughed at.
Especially when we see it in the mirror.
“Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more than they love truth.” ~Joseph Joubert
“What do you mean I have to wait for someone’s approval? I’m someone. I approve. So I give myself permission to move forward with my full support!” ~Richelle E. Goodrich
“Thanks to God that he gave me stubbornness when I know I am right.” ~John Adams
“I’m not stubborn. My way is just better.” ~Maya Banks
“’Look at that blacksmith,’ went on Father Brown … ‘(his) religion was made up by men who prayed on hills and high crags, and learnt to look down on the world more than to look up at heaven. Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.’” ~G.K. Chesterton
“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” ~Ernest Hemingway
“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” ~Abraham Lincoln
🙂
Good ones, Mitch. I love this one, too. “Don’t confuse me with the facts.”
The only good stubborn is a stubborn love. 🙂
Wonderful choice of quotations.
Thanks, Bob.
Oh, Chesterton!
Indded, Joy.
A grand collection well prefaced.
Thank you, SP.
For sure, stubbornness is a plight of today and especially escalated and amplified by social media and echo chambers.
Hemingway and Lincoln-their opinions float to the top. 🙂
Love the quote “What do you mean I have to wait for someone’s approval? I’m someone. I approve. So I give myself permission to move forward with my full support!” ~Richelle E. Goodrich
;>)
Amen and amen. I have been privileged to know several entrepreneurs in my life… some successful and others not so much. They all share a kind of stubborn belief in the ultimate rightness of their idea or innovation. Some cling to it WAY past the time when others would have thrown in the towel. Those are usually the ones who succeed.
Ah, the good kind of stubbornness (sometimes).
I enjoyed these, Mitch. Thank you
My pleasure, John.
😊
The sign graffiti gave me a smile and the close with Lincoln’s quote was excellent. A great thought for the week!
Don’t forget Isaiah 46:12-13:
“Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness. I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.”
in verse 11 hide the word & not sin against thee
And I forgot my development through the years:
When I was a child I was very stubborn.
In high school I was only hard-headed.
By the time I went to college, I was very determined.
These days, I am merely ‘of firm resolve.’😉
;>)
We Taurians prefer “determined” to “stubborn.” Nice post, Mitch 😎
One sees great things from the valley and only small things from the peak..I love that thought, a good little reminder. Great post Mitch.
Thank you, Kate.
I Love the Sign. I had to read it twice , then it hit me. Hahaha 🤣🤣🤣
Romans 2: 5-11
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
you left verse 13 bear with each other & forgive all things through christ
I know. It wasn’t intentional, I just didn’t want to take away from the post.
Thank you for adding it.
Amen 🙏🤗♥️
verse 13
Amen
type verse 13
Romans 2:13 (NIV): “For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.”
it’s not i can do all things
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NIV
bear with each other
the ad council company from mcgruff & smokey the bear & the family violence prevention fund & marines with betty botter?
I think the last quote is my favorite of them all.
So often, stubbornness is “vanity in disguise,” as you said. Yep, it usually comes down to pride.