The saying contrasts two ways of responding to difficulty. Being “pushed” by problems suggests allowing immediate pressures to determine one’s direction, while being “led” by dreams means using aspirations and longer-term aims as a guide. Its central idea is that difficulties may require attention without becoming the sole force shaping a person’s choices.

The wording is often attributed to Emerson, but no reliable source in his published works has been established for this exact quotation, so the attribution should be treated cautiously. Taken independently of its authorship, the statement does not suggest ignoring practical problems or obstacles. Rather, it argues for maintaining a sense of purpose while addressing them, so that action remains connected to desired possibilities instead of being driven entirely by immediate setbacks or pressures.