--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only difference between stepping…" description: "\"“The only difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is the way we address the rocks cast into our path.”\" — Abraham Lincoln" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/abraham-lincoln-88_inspirational_the-only-difference-between-stepping-sto_3158406.png" --- # The only difference between stepping stones and stumbling… ![“The only difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is the way we address the rocks cast into our path.” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/abraham-lincoln-88_inspirational_the-only-difference-between-stepping-sto_3158406.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/abraham-lincoln-88_inspirational_the-only-difference-between-stepping-sto_3158406.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5b/abraham-lincoln-88_inspirational_the-only-difference-between-stepping-sto_3158406.png) > ““The only difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is the way we address the rocks cast into our path.”” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that obstacles can become helpful or harmful depending on our response to them. **In simple terms:** How we handle obstacles determines if they help or hinder us. Key Takeaway Choose to turn challenges into opportunities. Themes resilience mindset obstacle management Mood determined reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career setbacks - personal crises - project delays - unexpected setbacks Key Concepts psychology cognitive reframing problem solving Questions to Reflect On - How do you decide which obstacles to confront? - What strategies help you reframe setbacks? A Different Perspective It may oversimplify complex problems by implying all obstacles are equally addressable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Difference Stepping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference-stepping-905729/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Stepping stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stepping-stones/) [Stones Stumbling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones-stumbling-3039755/) [Stumbling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stumbling/) [Stumbling block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stumbling-block/) [Stumbling blocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stumbling-blocks/) ## Related quotes > [The difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is not in the event itself but how you think about it and what you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-josephson/the-difference-between-stepping-stones-and-stumbling-blocks-is-not-in/) [Michael Josephson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-josephson/) > [“One of the Secrets in Life is to Make Stepping Stones out of Stumbling Blocks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-penn/one-of-the-secrets-in-life-is-to-make-stepping-stones-out-of/) [Jack Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-penn/) > [One of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-penn/one-of-the-secrets-of-life-is-to-make-stepping-stones-out-of/) [Jack Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-penn/) > [“Challenges can be stepping stones or stumbling blocks. It's just a matter of how you view them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/challenges-can-be-stepping-stones-or-stumbling-blocks-it-s-just-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [What are stumbling blocks and defeat to the weak and vacillating are but stepping stones to victory to the determined soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orison-swett-marden/what-are-stumbling-blocks-and-defeat-to-the-weak-and-vacillating-are/) [Orison Swett Marden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orison-swett-marden/) > [Our wounds ultimately give us wisdom. Our stumbling blocks inevitably become our stepping stones. 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You will decide if they are going to be your stumbling blocks or your building blocks”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saji-ijiyemi/life-is-going-to-throw-you-some-blocks-you-will-decide-if-they-are/) [Saji Ijiyemi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saji-ijiyemi/) > [The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-difference-between-stumbling-blocks-and-stepping-stones-is-how/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. 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I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Inspirational quotes > [Life is full of change. 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