firmus

1. Validus (from ὅλος, οὖλος), means strong, in an active sense, as able to perform something, in opp. to imbecillis, Cic. Fam. vii. 1. Plin. H. N. xiv. 21, like σθεναρός; whereas firmus and robustus, in a passive sense, as able to endure; firmum (from φράξαι, φάργνυμι), strong from an immovable position, and, consequently, stedfast, in opp. to labans, vacillans, and, for want of a corresponding adjective, to imbecillus, Cic. Fam. ix. 16. Sall. Jug. 10. Quintil. v. 10, 49, like βέβαιος; robustum (from ἐῤῥῶσθαι) through its compact nature, and its impenetrable and, consequently, durable materials, nearly in opp. to tenerum, like ῥωμαλέος and ἰσχυρός. 2. Imbecillitas denotes generally a mental, infirmitas, a bodily weakness, according to Cic. Fin. v. 45. In infirma ætate, imbecillaque mente: both are sometimes used in a mental sense, in which case imbecillitas denotes a natural weakness of the head or heart, a want of talent or of spirit; whereas infirmitas, a moral weakness of character, fickleness and uncertainty, for example: Cæs. B. G. vii. 77. Nolite stultitia ac temeritate vestra aut imbecillitate animi omnem Galliam prosternere; comp. with iv. 5. Cæsar infirmitatem Gallorum veritus, quod sunt in consiliis capiendis mobiles et rebus plerumque novis student. Or, Cic. Divin. ii. 60, with Fam. xv. 1. Or, Tac. Ann. iv. 8, with Hist. i. 9. (iv. 164.)