 First Lyapunov theorem

A positive-definite Lyapunov function with nonpositive orbital derivative proves Lyapunov stability of the equilibrium. Indeed, fix a sufficiently small ball $B_{\epsilon }$ in the function's domain and putContinuity and $V(0)=0$ give a ball $B_{\delta }$ on which $V<\alpha$. Since $V$ cannot increase along a trajectory, one starting in $B_{\delta }$ cannot cross the sphere $\Vert x\Vert =\epsilon$, on which $V\ge \alpha$. It therefore remains in $B_{\epsilon }$ for all forward time.