The saying presents progress as a journey that can be delayed by reacting to every provocation along the way. The barking dogs represent criticism, opposition or minor disturbances, while throwing stones represents spending time and energy answering each one. The central point is that constant reaction can prevent sustained movement towards a larger objective.

In political life, the idea applies to public figures who face frequent criticism and must decide which challenges require a response. More broadly, it describes the importance of distinguishing significant obstacles from distractions. The quote does not suggest that criticism should always be ignored; some objections may contain useful information or require an answer. Its emphasis is on proportion and judgement: attention is limited, and pursuing a destination may require leaving lesser provocations unanswered rather than allowing them to determine one’s direction.

Sometimes quoted as

“A traveller will never complete a journey if he stops to throw a stone at every barking dog.”