--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can throw stones, complain about them…" description: "\"“We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.”\" — William Arthur Ward" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac0/william-arthur-ward-2681_climb_we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them_3050371.png" --- # We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them… ![“We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.” quote by William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac0/william-arthur-ward-2681_climb_we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them_3050371.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac0/william-arthur-ward-2681_climb_we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them_3050371.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac0/william-arthur-ward-2681_climb_we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them_3050371.png) > ““We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.”” [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Obstacles can be ignored, overcome, or transformed into tools for progress. **In simple terms:** Stones can be used or avoided. Key Takeaway Turn challenges into resources. Themes problem solving mindset growth Mood encouraging pragmatic Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - personal development - project management - education - conflict resolution Key Concepts resourcefulness psychology Questions to Reflect On - Which obstacles can you repurpose? - When is avoidance the best strategy? A Different Perspective Not all obstacles are convertible. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climb/) [Climb Build](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climb-build-1201632/) [Complain Stumble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complain-stumble-5070690/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life goes on](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-goes-on/) [Life lessons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-lessons/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Positive thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-thinking/) [Positive thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-thoughts/) [Positivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positivity/) [Quotes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quotes/) [Stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones/) [Stones Complain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones-complain-5070689/) [Throw Stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/throw-stones/) ## Related quotes > [We can choose to throw stones, to stumble on them, to climb over them, or to build with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/we-can-choose-to-throw-stones-to-stumble-on-them-to-climb-over-them/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [If you don't have a mountain, build one and then climb it. And after you climb it, build another one; otherwise you start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvester-stallone/if-you-don-t-have-a-mountain-build-one-and-then-climb-it-and-after/) [Sylvester Stallone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvester-stallone/) > [When you fly high people will throw stones at you. Don't look down. Just fly higher so the stones won't reach you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-you-fly-high-people-will-throw-stones-at-you-don-t-look-down/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People will always THROW STONES in your PATH. Now it DEPENDS on YOU what you MAKE from it. WALL or BRIDGE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/people-will-always-throw-stones-in-your-path-now-it-depends-on-you/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [If people throw stones at you, pick 'em up and build something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lecrae/if-people-throw-stones-at-you-pick-em-up-and-build-something/) [LeCrae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lecrae/) > [You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks. Just ignore them and keep going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-reach-your-destination-if-you-stop-and-throw-stones-at-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can only let someone throw so many stones at you before you start picking them all up and using them to build a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-only-let-someone-throw-so-many-stones-at-you-before-you-start/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In this world some people will always throw stones in your path. It depends on you what you make from them, a wall or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-this-world-some-people-will-always-throw-stones-in-your-path-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-will-never-reach-your-destination-if-you-stop-and-throw-stones-at/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That's always the way with fanatics; they cross themselves at the tavern and throw stones at the temple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/that-s-always-the-way-with-fanatics-they-cross-themselves-at-the/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [People will always throw stones in your path! What you do from it depends on you A Wall of difficulties or A Bridge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-will-always-throw-stones-in-your-path-what-you-do-from-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When someone throw stones at you, which means you are a good tree full of fruits. They say a lot of harvest in you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-someone-throw-stones-at-you-which-means-you-are-a-good-tree-full/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You'll never reach your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-never-reach-your-destination-if-you-stop-to-throw-stones-at/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Throw stones at my tongue cause it should really keep its peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose/throw-stones-at-my-tongue-cause-it-should-really-keep-its-peace/) [Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose/) > [People in glass houses shouldnt throw stones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author-name/people-in-glass-houses-shouldnt-throw-stones/) [Author Name](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/author-name/) ## More by William Arthur Ward > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“If you can imagine it, you can create it. If you can dream it, you can become it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/if-you-can-imagine-it-you-can-create-it-if-you-can-dream-it-you-can/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [A friend is one with whom you are comfortable, to whom you are loyal, through whom you are blessed, and for whom you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/a-friend-is-one-with-whom-you-are-comfortable-to-whom-you-are-loyal/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [We must be silent before we can listen. We must listen before we can learn. We must learn before we can prepare. We must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/we-must-be-silent-before-we-can-listen-we-must-listen-before-we-can/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [The greatest failure is the failure to try.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/the-greatest-failure-is-the-failure-to-try/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Too many of us hear without heeding, read without responding, confess without changing, profess without practicing, worship without witnessing, and seek without sharing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/too-many-of-us-hear-without-heeding-read-without-responding-confess/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“‎"Do more than belong: participate. Do more than care: help. Do more than believe: practice. Do more than be fair: be kind. 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Today's purposes can turn yesterday's defeats into tomorrow's determination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/today-s-patience-can-transform-yesterday-s-discouragements-into/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [A life lived without forgiveness is a prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/a-life-lived-without-forgiveness-is-a-prison/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Every person has the power to make others happy. Some do it simply by entering a room others by leaving the room. Some individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/every-person-has-the-power-to-make-others-happy-some-do-it-simply-by/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Prepare while others are daydreaming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/prepare-while-others-are-daydreaming/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Every day is a good day to examine our prime-time priorities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/every-day-is-a-good-day-to-examine-our-prime-time-priorities/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Another fresh new year is here... Another year to live! To banish worry, doubt, and fear, to love and laugh and give!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/another-fresh-new-year-is-here-another-year-to-live-to-banish-worry/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) [Explore all 155 William Arthur Ward quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) ## More Climb quotes > [Normally, it's more efficient to climb fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ondra/normally-it-s-more-efficient-to-climb-fast/) [Adam Ondra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ondra/) > [Our ape legs make us great generalists - we can walk, run and climb. But when you try to do too many things at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-roberts/our-ape-legs-make-us-great-generalists-we-can-walk-run-and-climb-but/) [Alice Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-roberts/) > [“Climb aboard, Jonesy. I'm going to send you up where the air is rare and the view is much more than fair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/climb-aboard-jonesy-i-m-going-to-send-you-up-where-the-air-is-rare/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Sometimes you climb the mountain, and you fall and fail. Maybe there is a different path that will take you up. Sometimes a different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caterina-fake/sometimes-you-climb-the-mountain-and-you-fall-and-fail-maybe-there-is/) [Caterina Fake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caterina-fake/) > [The bumps are what you climb on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-bumps-are-what-you-climb-on/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [Life is a climb and it's a struggle getting to the top but the drop to the bottom can be quick and so I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miley-cyrus/life-is-a-climb-and-it-s-a-struggle-getting-to-the-top-but-the-drop/) [Miley Cyrus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miley-cyrus/) > [Some day I'm going to climb Everest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-hillary/some-day-i-m-going-to-climb-everest/) [Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-hillary/) > [A part of me will always be unflyable, stuck in the climb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/a-part-of-me-will-always-be-unflyable-stuck-in-the-climb/) [Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/) > [Face your fears or they will climb over your back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-herbert/face-your-fears-or-they-will-climb-over-your-back/) [Frank Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-herbert/) > [It is sometimes a mistake to climb. It is always a mistake never even to make the attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-sometimes-a-mistake-to-climb-it-is-always-a-mistake-never-even/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You have to climb a mountain before you can enjoy the view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/you-have-to-climb-a-mountain-before-you-can-enjoy-the-view/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“Where I'm is one of those stair climbing machines the agent has installed. You climb and climb forever and never get off the ground.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/where-i-m-is-one-of-those-stair-climbing-machines-the-agent-has/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“There are points in your life where you find yourself going nowhere reaching nowhere, standing nowhere. You feel yourself a mess occupied in nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aquib-ali/there-are-points-in-your-life-where-you-find-yourself-going-nowhere/) [Aquib Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aquib-ali/) > [“Don't be afraid to start at the bottom of the ladder. And have the courage to climb to the top.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levi-hr-rosenthal/don-t-be-afraid-to-start-at-the-bottom-of-the-ladder-and-have-the/) [Levi HR Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/levi-hr-rosenthal/) > [Dude, I just watched you climb up a f\*cking building!-Lace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-westerfeld/dude-i-just-watched-you-climb-up-a-f-cking-building-lace/) [Scott Westerfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-westerfeld/) [Browse all 797 Climb quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climb/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Arthur Ward" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them-stumble-on-them-climb-over/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Climb" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them-stumble-on-them-climb-over/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac0/william-arthur-ward-2681_climb_we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them_3050371.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac0/william-arthur-ward-2681_climb_we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them_3050371.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ac0/william-arthur-ward-2681_climb_we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them_3050371.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We can throw stones, complain about them, stumble on them, climb over them, or build with them.” — William Arthur Ward", "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": "William Arthur Ward", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“We can throw stones, complain about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them-stumble-on-them-climb-over/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/we-can-throw-stones-complain-about-them-stumble-on-them-climb-over/#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 } } ] } ```