--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Keep your eye on the main chance and…" description: "\"Keep your eye on the main chance and don't stop to kick every barking dog.\" — Morton Blackwell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/morton-blackwell-21345_barking_keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don_209070.png" --- # Keep your eye on the main chance and don't stop to kick… ![“Keep your eye on the main chance and don't stop to kick every barking dog.” quote by Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/morton-blackwell-21345_barking_keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don_209070.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/morton-blackwell-21345_barking_keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don_209070.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/morton-blackwell-21345_barking_keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don_209070.png) > “Keep your eye on the main chance and don't stop to kick every barking dog.” [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focus on primary goals; avoid distractions that waste time and energy. **In simple terms:** Stay focused on main objectives. Key Takeaway Prioritize core tasks, ignore minor disruptions. Themes focus productivity goal‑setting Mood determined pragmatic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - project management - entrepreneurship - personal development Key Concepts prioritization distraction management Questions to Reflect On - What distractions pull you away from your main goal? - How can you limit time spent on minor problems? A Different Perspective Over‑focus on minor issues can derail progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barking dogs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barking-dogs/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Kicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kicks/) ## Related quotes > [If I stop to kick every barking dog I am not going to get where I'm going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-joyner-kersee/if-i-stop-to-kick-every-barking-dog-i-am-not-going-to-get-where-i-m/) [Jackie Joyner-Kersee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-joyner-kersee/) > [“Then, out of nowhere—a barking dog, a huge blur of black fur, leaps for me. I jerk”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/then-out-of-nowhere-a-barking-dog-a-huge-blur-of-black-fur-leaps-for/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [If you react to every barking dog, if you stop for every barking dog, you're never getting home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calipari/if-you-react-to-every-barking-dog-if-you-stop-for-every-barking-dog/) [John Calipari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calipari/) > [A barking dog is often more useful than a sleeping lion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/a-barking-dog-is-often-more-useful-than-a-sleeping-lion/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [That barking dog's dont bite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracesel-balangue-collado/that-barking-dog-s-dont-bite/) [Gracesel Balangue Collado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracesel-balangue-collado/) > […A barking dog never bits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sreenadh/a-barking-dog-never-bits/) [Sreenadh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sreenadh/) > [What does it matter if a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers? ... The caravan moves on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-r-mcconkie/what-does-it-matter-if-a-few-barking-dogs-snap-at-the-heels-of-the/) [Bruce R. McConkie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-r-mcconkie/) > [Barking dogs occasionally bite, but laughing men hardly ever shoot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/barking-dogs-occasionally-bite-but-laughing-men-hardly-ever-shoot/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [Barking dogs seldom bite, but beware of those dogs that know this proverb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/barking-dogs-seldom-bite-but-beware-of-those-dogs-that-know-this/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [It's painful to listen to the barking of dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nizar-qabbani/it-s-painful-to-listen-to-the-barking-of-dogs/) [Nizar Qabbani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nizar-qabbani/) > [Barking dogs may occasionally bite, but laughing men hardly ever shoot!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/barking-dogs-may-occasionally-bite-but-laughing-men-hardly-ever-shoot/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [“I used to fear barking dogs. I would cringe and say to myself, 'Nice doggie please don't bite me I'll just go away,' but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-elder-robison/i-used-to-fear-barking-dogs-i-would-cringe-and-say-to-myself-nice/) [John Elder Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-elder-robison/) > [Barking dogs never bite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sreenadh/barking-dogs-never-bite/) [Sreenadh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sreenadh/) > [An old proverb says: an elephant never minds barking dogs, but highlight is that the dog 'keeps barking even with no reaction' from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/an-old-proverb-says-an-elephant-never-minds-barking-dogs-but/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [Barking dogs don't bite, but they themselves don't know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sholom-aleichem/barking-dogs-don-t-bite-but-they-themselves-don-t-know-it/) [Sholom Aleichem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sholom-aleichem/) ## More by Morton Blackwell > [To succeed inside a political party, one must cultivate an ability to sit still and remain polite while foolish people speak nonsense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/to-succeed-inside-a-political-party-one-must-cultivate-an-ability-to/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Effort is admirable. Achievement is valuable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/effort-is-admirable-achievement-is-valuable/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Make the opponents' goal more expensive than it's worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/make-the-opponents-goal-more-expensive-than-it-s-worth/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [In politics, nothing moves unless it's pushed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/in-politics-nothing-moves-unless-it-s-pushed/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Politics is of the heart as well as of the mind. Many people don't care how much you know until they know how much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/politics-is-of-the-heart-as-well-as-of-the-mind-many-people-don-t/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Expand the leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/expand-the-leadership/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [One big reason is better than many little reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/one-big-reason-is-better-than-many-little-reasons/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Promptly report your action to the one who requested it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/promptly-report-your-action-to-the-one-who-requested-it/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Sound doctrine is sound politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/sound-doctrine-is-sound-politics/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [A prompt, generous letter of thanks can seal a commitment which otherwise might disappear when the going gets rough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/a-prompt-generous-letter-of-thanks-can-seal-a-commitment-which/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Never give a bureaucrat a chance to say no.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/never-give-a-bureaucrat-a-chance-to-say-no/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Actions have consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/actions-have-consequences/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Don't treat good guys like you treat bad guys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/don-t-treat-good-guys-like-you-treat-bad-guys/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [Moral outrage is the most powerful motivating force in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/moral-outrage-is-the-most-powerful-motivating-force-in-politics/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) > [In volunteer politics, a builder can build faster than a destroyer can destroy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/in-volunteer-politics-a-builder-can-build-faster-than-a-destroyer-can/) [Morton Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) [Explore all 29 Morton Blackwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/) ## More Barking quotes > [If I stop to kick every barking dog I am not going to get where I'm going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-joyner-kersee/if-i-stop-to-kick-every-barking-dog-i-am-not-going-to-get-where-i-m/) [Jackie Joyner-Kersee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-joyner-kersee/) > [He had one uniform practice, and a very bad one it was, during the time of family worship, and just three or four seconds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hogg/he-had-one-uniform-practice-and-a-very-bad-one-it-was-during-the-time/) [James Hogg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hogg/) > […A barking dog never bits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sreenadh/a-barking-dog-never-bits/) [Sreenadh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sreenadh/) > [There's no point barking when you don't have anything to say...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/there-s-no-point-barking-when-you-don-t-have-anything-to-say/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I have pit bulls barking at me on half of the love songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/i-have-pit-bulls-barking-at-me-on-half-of-the-love-songs/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [What does it matter if a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers? ... The caravan moves on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-r-mcconkie/what-does-it-matter-if-a-few-barking-dogs-snap-at-the-heels-of-the/) [Bruce R. McConkie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-r-mcconkie/) > [Did you ever see a wicked man walking on the road and a dog behind a fence barking at him and he dock his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-rambharack/did-you-ever-see-a-wicked-man-walking-on-the-road-and-a-dog-behind-a/) [Glen Rambharack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-rambharack/) > [American dog say, 'Woof, woof.' Korean dog say, 'Mung, mung.' Polish dog say, 'How, how.' So which dog barking is correct? That is human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seung-sahn/american-dog-say-woof-woof-korean-dog-say-mung-mung-polish-dog-say/) [Seung Sahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seung-sahn/) > [I think the most hectic time in my house is about six o'clock in the morning, our sausage dog starts howling and barking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-piper/i-think-the-most-hectic-time-in-my-house-is-about-six-o-clock-in-the/) [Katie Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-piper/) > [“The dog which frightens the people by barking loud thinks he is the king of the universe!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/the-dog-which-frightens-the-people-by-barking-loud-thinks-he-is-the/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“the door and began barking hysterically. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end.    Adrenaline coursed through”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billi-tiner/the-door-and-began-barking-hysterically-the-hair-on-the-back-of-his/) [Billi Tiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billi-tiner/) > [Barking hard work, being a boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-westerfeld/barking-hard-work-being-a-boy/) [Scott Westerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-westerfeld/) > [My films usually start with an idea that I get while walking the streets. For example, I got the idea for 'Guard Dog' when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-plympton/my-films-usually-start-with-an-idea-that-i-get-while-walking-the/) [Bill Plympton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-plympton/) > [“You take off that pretend ring and get yourself a real man. You tell him to put his head between your legs and don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mimi-strong/you-take-off-that-pretend-ring-and-get-yourself-a-real-man-you-tell/) [Mimi Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mimi-strong/) > [Conscience is a dog that does not stop us from passing but that we cannot prevent from barking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-chamfort/conscience-is-a-dog-that-does-not-stop-us-from-passing-but-that-we/) [Nicolas Chamfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-chamfort/) Browse all 96 Barking quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Keep your eye on the main chance and don't stop to kick every barking dog.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Morton Blackwell" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don-t-stop-to-kick-every-barking/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Barking" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don-t-stop-to-kick-every-barking/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/morton-blackwell-21345_barking_keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don_209070.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/morton-blackwell-21345_barking_keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don_209070.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6bc/morton-blackwell-21345_barking_keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don_209070.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Keep your eye on the main chance and don't stop to kick every barking dog.” — Morton Blackwell", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Morton Blackwell", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morton-blackwell/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Keep your eye on the main...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don-t-stop-to-kick-every-barking/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morton-blackwell/keep-your-eye-on-the-main-chance-and-don-t-stop-to-kick-every-barking/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```