All 4 Uses of
positive
in
Gulliver's Travels
- This project could not be of any great expense to the public; and might in my poor opinion, be of much use for the despatch of business, in those countries where senates have any share in the legislative power; beget unanimity, shorten debates, open a few mouths which are now closed, and close many more which are now open; curb the petulancy of the young, and correct the positiveness of the old; rouse the stupid, and damp the pert.
Chpt 3 (definition 1)positiveness = the state of being absolutely sure of something
- ...and they showed, with great strength of reason, "that the royal throne could not be supported without corruption, because that positive, confident, restiff temper, which virtue infused into a man, was a perpetual clog to public business."
Chpt 3 (definition 2) *positive = good or beneficial
- He was an honest man, and a good sailor, but a little too positive in his own opinions, which was the cause of his destruction, as it has been with several others; for if he had followed my advice, he might have been safe at home with his family at this time, as well as myself.
Chpt 4 (definition 1)positive = certain
- So that controversies, wranglings, disputes, and positiveness, in false or dubious propositions, are evils unknown among the Houyhnhnms.
Chpt 4 (definition 1) *positiveness = the state of being absolutely sure of something
Definitions:
-
(1) (positive as in: I'm absolutely positive!) certain (having no doubt; or used for emphasis)
-
(2) (positive as in: had a positive effect) good or beneficial