Inquiring minds want to know. What does "A rolling stone gathers no moss" mean?

nature - Walking through the woods is magical and relaxing. This trail is in the foothills of the 
foothills of the "Blue Mountain Ridge."
@anawar (2404)
United States
August 28, 2008 11:20am CST
Walking through the woods one day, I remembered the expression about the rolling stone. I took a picture of moss, but you can't tell its moss, so I'm attaching a picture of one of the trails I hike, where the moss grows. I thought about the expression as I walked and decided what it meant to me. What does it mean to you? There are no right or wrong answers. Just type out the first thought that pops into your mind. This is one time when it's better not to read other responses, so your response will be unique, even if someone else had the same thought. If I tell you my perception, it will change yours. So have at it guys. Remember, no answer is right or wrong. All thoughts are unique, just like you. What does the expression "A rolling stone gathers no moss" mean to you? Enjoy and have fun.
4 people like this
7 responses
@Wizzywig (7847)
28 Aug 08
One explanation is that a 'travelling' person (ie. one who hasn't settled down) is free and unencumbered by responsibility. There again, I suppose it could be that people who flit from task to task dont get any of them completed. Or, if you keep on the go you wont seize up! An active and enquiring mind doesn't stagnate??
2 people like this
@anawar (2404)
• United States
28 Aug 08
Wizzywig - Good thoughts all. I won't analyze your thoughts and I did enjoy reading all your interpretations.
1 person likes this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
28 Aug 08
The first thing that pops into my head would be that people who rush all the time miss out on what's really important. They have great speed but don't 'collect' the things that really matter in life.
@anawar (2404)
• United States
28 Aug 08
cyberflur _ Thanks for adding your interpretation. It makes the discussion that much richer. If I had to guess, in your mind, moss represents a good thing?
2 people like this
@cyberfluf (4996)
• Netherlands
28 Aug 08
Yes, like the grey hairs on people with experience, or so have I enterpretered it . A rock with experience , lol!
1 person likes this
@kun2349 (23381)
• Singapore
29 Aug 08
I dun really understand what that means, but i will give it a try from my wild imagination.. hehe Everything has got it's life on their own and everything has got a place to call it their own.. WHat has to go will have to go, and no matter how nature is being forced, they cant be changed.. Just like this example, a rolling stone gathers no moss.. Because it's not the rightful place for them to grow.. JUst as we think that the mosses are strong enough, but there will always be something even stronger, like the rolling stone.. They can come and go being intact as they sweep thru everyhting in their way and shows who's the boss there. I hope that i dun interpret it wrongly and if i do, plese let me know, as i feel that i have gotten the whole meaning wrong.. lol
@littleowl (7157)
28 Aug 08
Hi anawar guess Ihave never thought of that saying really..but now it seems that anyonee who doesn't move on their life will get stagnant and slowly become so staid in thir ways and set in their minds of what is right and wrong that is when they gather moss but if you move on in your life and continue with times and change plus are able to do things and keep your mind open to new ideas you will be like the rolling stone who gathers no moss
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
28 Aug 08
A rolling stone isn't encumbered by things it doesn't need, keep moving emotionally and mentally and the cobwebs won't grow in your brain and your heart won't be trapped.
1 person likes this
@fifileigh (3615)
• United States
30 Aug 08
that green in the forest looks pretty with the brown ground...that is a good photograph. u should create a website of your photography if they all look like this one. i am not good at sayings...i dont understand them much...they all give me a headache. i guessing it means not to gather extra baggages in life, and keep moving on. who knows...dont ask me...
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Aug 08
anawar hi a rolling stone gathers no moss means to me that if you are constantly changing jobs and being completely irresponsible financially you will never be a success moneywise or jobwise either. most of us need to have the stick to it gene so we can make more' of a success of our lives in all ways. So to me this saying means one who is irresponsible.