The tendency of this organ is to give constancy and perseverance to
the other powers, and aids their activity and force. Its impulses are
sometimes mistaken for will. This, however, is not correct, as the
action of this organ urges _only to a continuance_ in the same purpose,
the same mode of thinking, and the same cause of action. It adds force
to resolution, and is the active element in fortitude, perseverance
and endurance. With a strong endowment of this organ, persons find it
difficult to enter readily into the feelings of others, or to feel new
emotions suddenly.
Predominant.--With Firmness predominant, a person will exhibit
unyielding pertinacity of character throughout all the vicissitudes of
life. No misfortune will appal him. His fortitude of character will
enable him to rise superior to every affliction. Having once commenced
a pursuit, he will never relinquish it till compelled to do so by the
force of circumstances. His opinions will seldom change, and his whole
appearance and manner will exhibit the man of firmness and decision. He
may be a good master, but he will be an unwilling servant.
Large.--With this organ large, a person will be of an unmovable
character, firm in his resolutions, and constant in his principles. He
attends little to exhortations or examples, his conduct is uniform,
and his exertions may be calculated on in all the various situations
of life. With Combativeness and Self-esteem large, he will never
relinquish a pursuit while a hope of success remains, and with but
moderate Cautiousness and Causality, will be deaf to all remonstrance
or advice. With large Benevolence and Conscientiousness, he will seek
for independence, yet be just and benevolent. An attack upon his
opinions will increase the tenacity with which he maintains them. With
large Self-esteem, he will be distinguished for presence of mind in
times of danger.
Moderate.--With Firmness moderate, a person will continue constant
only in those purposes in which he is aided by the other organs. If
Conscientiousness is large, and the Selfish Propensities small, he
will continue inflexibly just through all temptations of life. If
Acquisitiveness is large, he will never waver in his pursuit of riches.
If Self-esteem is small, and Love of Approbation large, he will be
entirely dependent on the will of his associates. It will be quite
impossible for him to have an opinion of his own.
Small.--With Firmness small, a person cannot be said to have a
will of his own. He will follow the last impulse he receives, and
without strength to resist, will be an easy instrument of every one
he meets. The actions of his life will take their character from
the other organs, and he will thus be constant in the gratification
of predominant dispositions. With large Acquisitiveness, he will
be constant in his efforts to become rich, but he will be unsteady
in the means he employs. With large Benevolence, Combativeness and
Destructiveness, he will be now all kindness, and anon passionate,
violent and outrageous. With an active temperament, he will enter on
his pursuits with great avidity, and follow them up with commendable
zeal, until perhaps, near their accomplishment, and then fly away to
something else. This state of mind is increased by great Cautiousness,
and diminished by large Self-esteem.