“The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak, became a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong”
— Thomas Carlyle
Simplified Meaning:
People handle difficulties in different ways. When faced with a big, tough problem, some might feel stuck and give up. For them, the challenge becomes a roadblock they can't get past. Others see that same problem as a chance to grow and improve. They use the difficulty to their advantage, finding a way to use it to move forward. Imagine two students who fail a test. One feels discouraged and decides they aren't good at the subject, so they stop trying. The other sees it as a chance to learn more, asks the teacher for help, and studies harder. Eventually, the second student gets better at the subject and succeeds. This shows how your attitude towards problems can change your outcomes. By seeing challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, you can turn obstacles into steps that lead to success.
