--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You start a question, and it's like…" description: "\"You start a question, and it's like starting a stone. You sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stone goes, starting others...\" — Robert Louis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/robert-louis-stevenson-289_hills_you-start-a-question-and-it-s-like-start_1654915.jpg" --- # You start a question, and it's like starting a stone. You… ![“You start a question, and it's like starting a stone. You sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stone goes, starting others...” quote by Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/robert-louis-stevenson-289_hills_you-start-a-question-and-it-s-like-start_1654915.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/robert-louis-stevenson-289_hills_you-start-a-question-and-it-s-like-start_1654915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/452/robert-louis-stevenson-289_hills_you-start-a-question-and-it-s-like-start_1654915.jpg) > “You start a question, and it's like starting a stone. You sit quietly on the top of a hill; and away the stone goes, starting others...” [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Initiating a question can trigger a cascade of thoughts, like a stone rolling down a hill that sets other stones in motion. **In simple terms:** Starting a question sparks many ideas. Key Takeaway Ask, and let ideas follow. Themes curiosity communication ideas Mood inquisitive energetic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - brainstorming sessions - teaching - problem solving Key Concepts cause and effect dialogue Questions to Reflect On - What question could you ask to unlock new perspectives? - How do you keep the conversation productive? A Different Perspective Ideas may diverge and become unfocused without guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Answer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answer/) [Hills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hills/) [Like Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-starting-283009/) [Question Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-like-694006/) [Start Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/start-question-694004/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) [Starting Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting-stone-694005/) [Stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones/) ## Related quotes > [“I feel very strongly about putting questions; it partakes too much of the style of the day of judgement. You start a question, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/i-feel-very-strongly-about-putting-questions-it-partakes-too-much-of/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [The question isn't whether you're ready to start something. The question is whether you're able to finish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-loveable/the-question-isn-t-whether-you-re-ready-to-start-something-the/) [Arjun Loveable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-loveable/) > [“In the search for truth, every answer is merely the start of another question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-baker/in-the-search-for-truth-every-answer-is-merely-the-start-of-another/) [Jordan Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-baker/) > [The greatest discoveries all start with the question "Why?"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ballard/the-greatest-discoveries-all-start-with-the-question-why/) [Robert Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ballard/) > [Are we a Christian nation now? It's doubtful. But did we start out as one? Without question.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-robertson/are-we-a-christian-nation-now-it-s-doubtful-but-did-we-start-out-as/) [Pat Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-robertson/) > [It is not a question of starting. The start has been made. It's a question of what's to be done from now on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-not-a-question-of-starting-the-start-has-been-made-it-s-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When I work on a book, I usually start with a question. And I don't sit around and go 'I need to write a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/when-i-work-on-a-book-i-usually-start-with-a-question-and-i-don-t-sit-2/) [Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/) > [When I work on a book, I usually start with a question. And I don't sit around and go "I need to write a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynda-barry/when-i-work-on-a-book-i-usually-start-with-a-question-and-i-don-t-sit/) [Lynda Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynda-barry/) > [ “So let’s start with this first question here. \[points to a microphone\] "Question: This is more of a comment— "Answer: Sorry, no. This is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-scalzi/so-let-s-start-with-this-first-question-here-points-to-a-microphone/) [John Scalzi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-scalzi/) > [“What's the Best Question to Ask When You're Reading the Bible? Why did people find this important to write down?...Why did people write this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/what-s-the-best-question-to-ask-when-you-re-reading-the-bible-why-did/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) > [Think of your body like a car: a glass of water first thing in the morning is like starting your engine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wicks/think-of-your-body-like-a-car-a-glass-of-water-first-thing-in-the/) [Joe Wicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wicks/) > [I don't like it if I'm not part of the starting 11.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-robertson/i-don-t-like-it-if-i-m-not-part-of-the-starting-11/) [Andrew Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-robertson/) > [I'm starting to like you less... because I'm starting to love you more...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-starting-to-like-you-less-because-i-m-starting-to-love-you-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [With the solo stuff, it's like starting over from scratch. It's rolling up your sleeves and getting down to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-wilson/with-the-solo-stuff-it-s-like-starting-over-from-scratch-it-s-rolling/) [Cindy Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-wilson/) > [It feels like I'm starting to come into my own in terms of where I want to go artistically, toward more complicated, interesting characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-alba/it-feels-like-i-m-starting-to-come-into-my-own-in-terms-of-where-i/) [Jessica Alba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-alba/) ## More by Robert Louis Stevenson > [You must suffer me to go my own dark way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/you-must-suffer-me-to-go-my-own-dark-way/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [Nobody speaks of a beautifful view for 5 minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/nobody-speaks-of-a-beautifful-view-for-5-minutes/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [“We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find is an honest friend. He is a fortunate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/we-are-all-travelers-in-the-wilderness-of-this-world-and-the-best/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [The little rift between the sexes is astonishingly widened by simply teaching one set of catchwords to the girls and another to the boys.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/the-little-rift-between-the-sexes-is-astonishingly-widened-by-simply/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [The problem of education is twofold: first to know, and then to utter. Everyone who lives any semblance of an inner life thinks more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/the-problem-of-education-is-twofold-first-to-know-and-then-to-utter/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [“For thirty years," he said, "I've sailed the seas and seen good and bad, better and worse, fair weather and foul, provisions running out,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/for-thirty-years-he-said-i-ve-sailed-the-seas-and-seen-good-and-bad/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [“Mutiny, it was plain, hung over us like a thunder-cloud.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/mutiny-it-was-plain-hung-over-us-like-a-thunder-cloud/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [Jealousy is the most radical primeval and naked form of admiration in war paint, so to speak.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/jealousy-is-the-most-radical-primeval-and-naked-form-of-admiration-in/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [It is the property of things seen for the first time, or for the first time after long, like the flowers in spring, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/it-is-the-property-of-things-seen-for-the-first-time-or-for-the-first/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [You have no idea, unless you have tried it, how endlessly long is a summer's day, that you measure out only by hunger, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/you-have-no-idea-unless-you-have-tried-it-how-endlessly-long-is-a/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [Do not measure success by today's harvest. Measure success by the seeds you plant today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/do-not-measure-success-by-today-s-harvest-measure-success-by-the/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [To be idle requires a strong sense of personal identity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/to-be-idle-requires-a-strong-sense-of-personal-identity/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [Saints are sinners who kept on going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/saints-are-sinners-who-kept-on-going/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [Loving God, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/loving-god-help-us-remember-the-birth-of-jesus-that-we-may-share-in/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [The friendly cow, all red and white, I love with all my heart; She gives me cream with all her might, To eat with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/the-friendly-cow-all-red-and-white-i-love-with-all-my-heart-she-gives/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) [Explore all 701 Robert Louis Stevenson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) ## More Answer quotes > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [What you are is a question only you can answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-mcmaster-bujold/what-you-are-is-a-question-only-you-can-answer/) [Lois McMaster Bujold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lois-mcmaster-bujold/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [“And if you can’t say yes, answer anyway. Because I’d rather live with the answer than die with the question.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-ellis/and-if-you-can-t-say-yes-answer-anyway-because-i-d-rather-live-with/) [Jon Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ellis/) > [“There is a cure and answer to everything, we just haven't found them yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-halimi/there-is-a-cure-and-answer-to-everything-we-just-haven-t-found-them/) [Eve Halimi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-halimi/) > [Whenever I'm asked about Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, I always answer: 'Neymar is the best,' not just because of his goals but because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-carlos/whenever-i-m-asked-about-cristiano-ronaldo-or-lionel-messi-i-always/) [Roberto Carlos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-carlos/) > [A wiki works best where you're trying to answer a question that you can't easily pose, where there's not a natural structure that's known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ward-cunningham/a-wiki-works-best-where-you-re-trying-to-answer-a-question-that-you/) [Ward Cunningham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ward-cunningham/) > [“Those are good questions. I recognize good questions, because I can come up with them myself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-brust/those-are-good-questions-i-recognize-good-questions-because-i-can/) [Steven Brust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-brust/) > [My answer is bring 'em on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/my-answer-is-bring-em-on/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I'll answer anything... I'm brutally honest, actually, which gets me in trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mclachlan/i-ll-answer-anything-i-m-brutally-honest-actually-which-gets-me-in/) [Sarah McLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mclachlan/) > [“...I guess I can put two and two together." "Sometimes the answer's four," I said, "and sometimes it's twenty-two...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dashiell-hammett/i-guess-i-can-put-two-and-two-together-sometimes-the-answer-s-four-i/) [Dashiell Hammett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dashiell-hammett/) > [Jumping someone is never the answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/jumping-someone-is-never-the-answer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I play along myself, even though I can't help the player. So I can't say what I think the answer might be. But I'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddy-mcguinness/i-play-along-myself-even-though-i-can-t-help-the-player-so-i-can-t/) [Paddy McGuinness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddy-mcguinness/) > [Sometimes the question is complicated, but the answers are simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-suess/sometimes-the-question-is-complicated-but-the-answers-are-simple/) [Dr Suess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-suess/) [Browse all 2,090 Answer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answer/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You start a question, and it's like starting a stone. 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