Perseverance is the value or character trait that allows us to keep on keeping on. It is an inner strength that helps us ignore or discount obstacles and keep striving towards our goals or along a chosen path. It is what we need to overcome setbacks, adversity and criticism.
C. I will illustrate my point about being clumsy with many examples from my life.
Since you didn't provide the excerpt, I am going to assume that the answer you need is 'hearken'.
