Patience vs. Perseverance — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 25, 2023
Patience is calmly waiting during challenges, while perseverance is persistent effort to overcome them.
Difference Between Patience and Perseverance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Patience and perseverance are vital qualities that can determine success. Patience refers to the ability to endure difficult situations without becoming frustrated or agitated. On the other hand, perseverance emphasizes determination and persistence in achieving a goal.
Patience requires maintaining composure, especially when faced with prolonged challenges or annoyances. Perseverance, meanwhile, means maintaining commitment in the face of adversity and not giving up.
At times, patience can be about accepting the present moment, understanding that some things take time. Perseverance, conversely, is about pushing forward, even when the going gets tough.
Patience might involve calmly waiting for a seed to sprout, trusting in the natural process. Perseverance, in the same context, is the consistent effort of watering and nurturing that seed, despite unfavorable conditions.
While both patience and perseverance are essential for long-term achievements, patience leans more towards emotional endurance, and perseverance leans towards sustained action.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The ability to wait calmly without annoyance.
Continuous effort to achieve something despite obstacles.
Nature
Emotional endurance.
Action-oriented endurance.
Required Time
Might not have a definitive endpoint.
Often geared towards reaching a specific goal.
Example Situation
Waiting in a long line without getting frustrated.
Studying every day for months to pass a difficult exam.
Relationship to Goal
Doesn’t necessarily involve working towards a goal.
Always involves working towards a goal.
Compare with Definitions
Patience
The ability to tolerate delay without frustration.
She showed remarkable patience waiting for the rain to stop.
Perseverance
Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty.
Her perseverance led her to complete the marathon despite an injury.
Patience
An attribute of waiting for the right time without urgency.
With patience, he waited for the perfect shot in photography.
Perseverance
The act of persisting in a state, enterprise, or undertaking.
The artist's perseverance resulted in a masterpiece after years of work.
Patience
Enduring discomfort without complaint.
His patience during the long recovery was commendable.
Perseverance
A quality of pushing forward in the face of adversity.
The team's perseverance was evident when they won the game from behind.
Patience
A quality of bearing trials calmly.
Displaying patience, she listened to her friend's long story.
Perseverance
Unyielding determination to overcome challenges.
His perseverance in academics earned him top honors in his class.
Patience
Patience (or forbearance) is the ability to endure difficult circumstances. Patience may involve perseverance in the face of delay; tolerance of provocation without responding in disrespect/anger; or forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties.
Perseverance
Continual effort to achieve a specific end.
Through perseverance, he mastered the musical instrument.
Patience
The capacity, quality, or fact of being patient
"The task of mastering ancient languages ... takes years of study, and persistence, and patience" (Cullen Murphy).
Perseverance
Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.
Patience
Chiefly British, Games Solitaire.
Perseverance
(Christianity) The Calvinistic doctrine that those who have been chosen by God will continue in a state of grace to the end and will finally be saved.
Patience
The quality of being patient.
Musical perfection requires practice and a lot of patience.
Perseverance
Continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition or previous failure.
Patience
Any of various card games that can be played by one person. Called solitaire in the US and Canada.
Perseverance
The act of persevering; persistence in anything undertaken; continued pursuit or prosecution of any business, or enterprise begun.
Whose constant perseverance overcameWhate'er his cruel malice could invent.
Patience
The state or quality of being patient; the power of suffering with fortitude; uncomplaining endurance of evils or wrongs, as toil, pain, poverty, insult, oppression, calamity, etc.
Strengthened with all might, . . . unto all patience and long-suffering.
I must have patience to endure the load.
Who hath learned lowlinessFrom his Lord's cradle, patience from his cross.
Perseverance
Discrimination.
Patience
The act or power of calmly or contentedly waiting for something due or hoped for; forbearance.
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Perseverance
Continuance in a state of grace until it is succeeded by a state of glory; sometimes called final perseverance, and the perseverance of the saints. See Calvinism.
Patience
Constancy in labor or application; perseverance.
He learned with patience, and with meekness taught.
Perseverance
Persistent determination
Patience
Sufferance; permission.
They stay upon your patience.
Perseverance
The act of persisting or persevering; continuing or repeating behavior;
His perseveration continued to the point where it was no longer appropriate
Patience
A kind of dock (Rumex Patientia), less common in America than in Europe; monk's rhubarb.
Patience
Solitaire.
Patience
Good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
Patience
A card game played by one person
Patience
The capacity to accept provocation without retaliation.
It took a lot of patience to deal with such a difficult client.
Common Curiosities
How does perseverance differ from patience?
Perseverance is about continuously working towards a goal despite obstacles, while patience is about waiting without annoyance.
Is patience a skill or a trait?
Patience can be both. Some people are naturally patient (trait), but it can also be developed and improved upon (skill).
What is patience in simple terms?
Patience is the ability to wait calmly, especially during challenges.
Can you have perseverance without patience?
It's possible but challenging. While perseverance focuses on action, having patience can make the journey smoother.
How can I improve my patience?
Techniques like mindfulness, deep breathing, and reframing negative thoughts can help improve patience.
Can patience be a form of perseverance?
In certain contexts, yes. For example, waiting for a long-term result requires both patience and a form of perseverance.
How does patience relate to emotional intelligence?
Patience is a component of emotional intelligence, reflecting self-regulation and understanding.
Why is perseverance important?
Perseverance is key to achieving long-term goals and overcoming challenges.
Does perseverance guarantee success?
Not always, but it increases the likelihood by continuously working towards the goal.
Are there downsides to too much patience?
Yes, excessive patience might lead to missed opportunities or allow unacceptable situations to persist.
What's a synonym for perseverance?
Tenacity is a synonym for perseverance.
How is patience tested?
Patience is often tested in situations of wait, delay, or adversity where calm endurance is required.
Is perseverance always a good thing?
While it's generally positive, blind perseverance without reassessing or adapting can be counterproductive.
Can perseverance lead to burnout?
Yes, relentless perseverance without self-care or breaks can lead to burnout.
Can patience and perseverance coexist?
Absolutely, and often they complement each other in achieving long-term goals.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
