Problems come in all shapes and sizes. Some are small and easily solved, while others stretch to a global scale and require many minds working on a solution. Indeed, problem-solving is such an integral part of life that humans often choose to tackle problems for fun or for a mental challenge — take, for example, the worldwide popularity of crosswords and sudoku puzzles.
Some problems present opportunities: If an inventor can solve a particular problem that helps a whole swath of society, that innovation might change the world for the better. Other problems, of course, are very much unforeseen and unwanted. But even then, a positive attitude can go a long way to mitigate a tricky situation. As the eighth-century Indian philosopher Shantideva wrote, “If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?”
Here are some more wise quotes about solving problems, from philosophers, authors, business leaders, and more.
No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.Voltaire
Each problem that I solved became a rule, which served afterwards to solve other problems.René Descartes, philosopher and mathematician
A problem thoroughly understood is always fairly simple. Found your opinions on facts, not prejudices. We know too many things that are not true.Charles Kettering, inventor
There is always a well-known solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong.H.L. Mencken, journalist
The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.Albert Einstein
If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them.Isaac Asimov, writer
Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds.Norman Vincent Peale, clergyman and author
If we want to solve a problem that we have never solved before, we must leave the door to the unknown ajar.Richard Feynman, theoretical physicist
Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.Barbara Johnson, literary critic
Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.Roger Lewin, anthropologist and science writer
We are continually faced by great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.Lee Iacocca, automobile executive
It is well known that “problem avoidance" is an important part of problem solving. Instead of solving the problem you go upstream and alter the system so that the problem does not occur in the first place.Edward de Bono, psychologist and author
Whatever creativity is, it is in part a solution to a problem.Brian Aldiss, author
Leadership is solving problems.Colin Powell
To launch a business means successfully solving problems. Solving problems means listening.Richard Branson
Our best problem-solving resource is peace. Solutions arise easily and naturally out of a peaceful state.Melody Beattie, author
To solve any problem, there are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask?Jim Rohn, entrepreneur and author
Too many problem-solving sessions become battlegrounds where decisions are made based on power rather than intelligence.Margaret J. Wheatley, writer and management consultant
Every problem has a solution, although it may not be the outcome that was originally hoped for or expected.Alice Hoffman, author
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