WIST Quotations

Ivins, Molly -- Essay (2002-11-19), “Blast from the Past,” Creators Syndicate column

Dave — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:40:47 +0000

The way one solves problems obviously influences not only the outcome, but the kinds of problems one faces after the immediate problem is settled.

Molly Ivins (1944-2007) American writer, political columnist [Mary Tyler Ivins]
Essay (2002-11-19), “Blast from the Past,” Creators Syndicate column
(Source)

On use of war and military force to fight terrorism.

Green, John -- Paper Towns, Part 3 [Quentin] (2008)

Dave — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 17:36:10 +0000

I’m not saying that everything is survivable. Just that everything except the last thing is.

John Green (b. 1977) American author
Paper Towns, Part 3 [Quentin] (2008)
(Source)

Bastiat, Frederic -- Economic Sophisms [Sophismes Économiques], 1st Series, ch. 20 “Human Labor, National Labor [Travail Humain, Travail National]” (1845) [tr. Goddard (1964)]

Dave — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:38:06 +0000

At least let no one argue that, because an abuse cannot be suppressed without injuring those who profit from it, the fact that it has existed for a time gives it the right to last forever.

[À moins qu’on ne prétende que, parce qu’un abus ne peut être détruit sans froisser ceux qui en profitent, il suffit qu’il existe un moment pour qu’il doive durer toujours.]

Frédéric Bastiat (1801-1850) French philosopher, economist, politician
Economic Sophisms [Sophismes Économiques], 1st Series, ch. 20 “Human Labor, National Labor [Travail Humain, Travail National]” (1845) [tr. Goddard (1964)]
(Source)

See Heinlein (1939).

(Source (French)). Other translations:

It is a rather singular argument to maintain that, because an abuse which has been permitted a temporary existence, cannot be corrected without wounding the interests of those who have profited by it, it ought, therefore, to claim perpetual duration.
[tr. McCord (1848)]

At all events, let no one pretend that because an abuse cannot be done away with, without inconvenience to those who profit by it, what has been suffered to exist for a time should be allowed to exist for ever.
[tr. Stirling (1873)]

Housman, A. E. -- “Additional Poems,” No. 17 (pub. 1937)

Dave — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 16:28:46 +0000

The stars have not dealt me the worst they could do:
My pleasures are plenty, my troubles are two.
But oh, my two troubles they reave me of rest,
The brains in my head and the heart in my breast.

A. E. Housman (1859-1936) English scholar and poet [Alfred Edward Housman]
“Additional Poems,” No. 17 (pub. 1937)
(Source)

Marcus Aurelius -- Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 7, ch. 8 (7.8) (AD 161-180) [tr. Coker (2022)]

Dave — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 18:25:00 +0000

Don’t let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

[Τὰ μέλλοντα μὴ ταρασσέτω· ἥξεις γὰρ ἐπ᾿ αὐτά, ἐὰν δεήσῃ, φέρων τὸν αὐτὸν λόγον, ᾧ νῦν πρὸς τὰ παρόντα χρᾷ.]

Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) Roman emperor (161-180), Stoic philosopher
Meditations [To Himself; Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν], Book 7, ch. 8 (7.8) (AD 161-180) [tr. Coker (2022)]
(Source)

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

Let not things future trouble thee. For if necessity so require that they come to pass, thou shalt (whensoever that is) be provided for them with the same reason, by which whatsoever is now present, is made both tolerable and acceptable unto thee.
[tr. Casaubon (1634), 7.6]

Be not disturb'd about the Future; for if ever you come to it, you'll have the same Reason for your Guide, and Protection, which preserves you at present.
[tr. Collier (1701)]

Be not disturbed about futurity: You shall come to encounter with future events, possessed of the same reason you now employ in your present affairs.
[tr. Hutcheson/Moor (1742)]

Be not solicitous about future possibilities. You will encounter them when they approach, under the conduct of the same reason which you make use of on every present emergency.
[tr. Graves (1792)]

Let not future things disturb thee, for thou wilt come to them, if it shall be necessary, having with thee the same reason which now thou usest for present things.
[tr. Long (1862)]

Be not disturbed about the future, for if ever you come to it, you will have the same reason for your guide, which preserves you at the present.
[tr. Collier/Zimmern (1887)]

Let not the future perturb you. You will face it, if so be, with the same reason which is yours to meet the present.
[tr. Rendall (1898)]

Be not troubled about the future. You will come to it, if need be, with the same power to reason, as you use upon your present business.
[tr. Hutcheson/Chrystal (1902)]

Be not disquieted about the future. If thou must come thither, thou wilt come armed with the same reason which thou appliest now to the present.
[tr. Haines (Loeb) (1916)]

Let not the future trouble you; for you will come to it, if come you must, bearing with you the same reason which you are using now to meet the present.
[tr. Farquharson (1944)]

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.
[tr. Staniforth (1964)]

Do not allow the future to trouble your mind; for you will come to it, if come you must, bringing with you the same reason that you now apply to the affairs of the present.
[tr. Hard (1997 ed.)]

Forget the future. When and if it comes, you’ll have the same resources to draw on -- the same logos.
[tr. Hays (2003)]

Do not let the future trouble you. You will come to it (if that is what you must) possessed of the same reason that you apply now to the present.
[tr. Hammond (2006)]

Do not allow the future to trouble your mind; for you will come to it, if come you must, bringing with you the same reason that you now apply to the affairs of the present.
[tr. Hard (2011 ed.)]

Watts, Alan -- The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, ch. 3 “How to be a Genuine Fake” (1966)

Dave — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 01:19:08 +0000

Problems that remain persistently insoluble should always be suspected as questions asked in the wrong way.

Alan Watts (1915-1973) Anglo-American philosopher, writer
The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, ch. 3 “How to be a Genuine Fake” (1966)
(Source)

See Peres.

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1740 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:00:16 +0000

To bear other Peoples afflictions, every one has Courage enough, and to spare.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1740 ed.)
(Source)

Barzun, Jacques -- Romanticism and the Modern Ego, ch. 1 (1943)

Dave — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 13:19:12 +0000

The one thing that unifies men in a given age is not their individual philosophies but the dominant problem that these philosophies are designed to solve.

Jacques Barzun (1907-2012) French-American historian, educator, polymath
Romanticism and the Modern Ego, ch. 1 (1943)
(Source)

Coffin, William Sloane -- The Courage to Love, ch. 5 (1982)

Dave — Thu, 09 May 2024 15:41:37 +0000

What I have come to recognize is that just as “the black problem” turned out to be a problem of white racism, just as “the woman problem” turned out to be a problem of male sexism, so “the homosexual problem” is really the homophobia of many heterosexuals.

William Sloane Coffin, Jr. (1924-2006) American minister, social activist
The Courage to Love, ch. 5 (1982)
(Source)

Rogers, Will -- Column (1935-07-28), “Weekly Article: The Lawyers Talking”

Dave — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 18:14:56 +0000

There is nothing as easy as denouncing. […] It don’t take much to see that something is wrong, but it does take some eyesight to see what will put it right again.

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
Column (1935-07-28), “Weekly Article: The Lawyers Talking”
(Source)

Dante Alighieri -- The Divine Comedy [Divina Commedia], Book 2 “Purgatorio,” Canto 12, l. 95ff (12.95-96) (1314) [tr. Bang (2019)]

Dave — Fri, 22 Dec 2023 19:21:40 +0000

O human beings, you’re born to fly straight up,
Why does a little gust of wind bring you down?

[O gente umana, per volar sù nata,
perché a poco vento così cadi?]

Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) Italian poet
The Divine Comedy [Divina Commedia], Book 2 “Purgatorio,” Canto 12, l. 95ff (12.95-96) (1314) [tr. Bang (2019)]
(Source)

Some translators have this as a comment by Dante on how few takers there are to the Angel of Humility's invitation to ascend higher; others, including most modern translators, make it part of the Angel's speech.

(Source (Italian)). Alternate translations:

Ye Souls for Heav'n design'd! ye Sons of Day!
Why should a random breeze o'erset your fail
When heav'n-ward bound?
[tr. Boyd (1802), st. 18]

O ye race of men
Though born to soar, why suffer ye a wind
So slight to baffle ye?
[tr. Cary (1814)]

O human race! whose birthright is to soar,
How little wind will make your course give o'er!
[tr. Bannerman (1850)]

O human creatures, born to soar aloft,
Why fall ye thus before a little wind?
[tr. Longfellow (1867)]

O race of men, born to fly upward, why at a little wind fall ye so down?
[tr. Butler (1885)]

O human race, though born above to soar,
Why at the slightest breath dost thou thus fall ?
[tr. Minchin (1885)]

O human race, born to fly upward, why before a little wind dost thou so fall?
[tr. Norton (1892)]

O human folk, born to fly upward, why at a breath of wind thus fall ye down?
[tr. Okey (1901)]

O race of men, born to fly upward, why do you fall back so for a little wind?
[tr. Sinclair (1939)]

O human spirits, upward born to spring,
Why fall ye down at a brief blast of air?
[tr. Binyon (1943)]

O human race, born to take flight and soar,
Why fall ye, for one breath of wind, to earth?
[tr. Sayers (1955)]

O sons of man, born to ascend on high,
how can so slight a wind-puff make you fall?
[tr. Ciardi (1961)]

O race of men, born to fly upward,
why do you fall so at a breath of wind?
[tr. Singleton (1973)]

O race of men, born to fly heavenward,
how can a breath of wind make you fall back?
[tr. Musa (1981)]

O human race, born to fly upwards,
Why do you fall at such a little breeze?
[tr. Sisson (1981)]

O humankind, born for the upward flight,
why are you driven back by wind so slight?
[tr. Mandelbaum (1982)]

O human race, born to fly upward, why do you fall at so little wind?
[tr. Durling (2003)]

O human race, born to soar, why do you fall so, at a breath of wind?
[tr. Kline (2002)]

O human nature! You are born to fly!
Why fail and fall at, merely, puffs of wind?
[tr. Kirkpatrick (2007)]

O race of man, born to fly on high,
why does a puff of wind cause you to fall?
[tr. Hollander/Hollander (2007)]

O human race, born to fly on high,
How can the slightest breeze blow dust in your eyes?
[tr. Raffel (2010)]

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 4 (1966)

Dave — Thu, 03 Aug 2023 15:58:17 +0000

Nobody knows the trouble we’ve seen — but we keep trying to tell them.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983) American journalist and author
The Second Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 4 (1966)
(Source)

McLaughlin, Mignon -- The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 9 (1963)

Dave — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 15:46:21 +0000

No problem of any consequence can be tackled head on.

Mignon McLaughlin (1913-1983) American journalist and author
The Neurotic’s Notebook, ch. 9 (1963)
(Source)

Hardy, Thomas -- Far from the Madding Crowd, ch. 18 (1874)

Dave — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 18:23:54 +0000

A resolution to avoid an evil is seldom framed till the evil is so far advanced as to make avoidance impossible.

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) English novelist, poet
Far from the Madding Crowd, ch. 18 (1874)
(Source)

Wilder, Laura Ingalls -- “‘Thoughts are Things,'” Missouri Ruralist (5 Nov 1917)

Dave — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 16:09:38 +0000

A good laugh overcomes more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) American writer
“‘Thoughts are Things,'” Missouri Ruralist (5 Nov 1917)
(Source)

Reprinted in Stephen Hines, ed., Laura Ingalls Wilder - Farm Journalist (2007).

Krutch, Joseph Wood -- “Whom Do We Picket Tonight?” Harper’s (Mar 1950)

Dave — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 19:18:18 +0000

At least there are more forms of escapism than those who bandy that word about are always aware of. An artist, for instance, may escape from the problems of his art — which are hard to solve — into a consideration of the problems of society which he sometimes seems to think require of him only that he complain about them. Even the ordinary citizen is not always guiltless of similar techniques and it is, for example, sometimes easier to head an institute for the study of child guidance than it is to turn one brat into a decent human being.

Joseph Wood Krutch (1893-1970) American educator, writer, critic, naturalist
“Whom Do We Picket Tonight?” Harper’s (Mar 1950)
(Source)

Reprinted in If You Don't Mind My Saying (1964).

Storr, Anthony -- Feet of Clay: Saints, Sinners and Madmen, Introduction (1996)

Dave — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 20:37:06 +0000

Artists and scientists realize that no solution is ever final, but that each new creative step points the way to the next artistic or scientific problem. In contrast, those who embrace religious revelations and delusional systems tend to see them as unshakeable and permanent.

Anthony Storr (1920-2001) English psychiatrist and author
Feet of Clay: Saints, Sinners and Madmen, Introduction (1996)
(Source)

Raymond, Eric S. -- The Cathedral and the Bazaar, ch. 2, Rule 18 (1999)

Dave — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 23:53:02 +0000

To solve an interesting problem, start by finding a problem that is interesting to you.

Eric S. Raymond (b. 1957) American software developer, writer [a.k.a. ESR]
The Cathedral and the Bazaar, ch. 2, Rule 18 (1999)
(Source)

Tawney, R. H. -- Religion and the Rise of Capitalism, ch. 5 (1926)

Dave — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 19:28:40 +0000

The certainties of one age are the problems of the next.

R. H. Tawney (1880-1962) English writer, economist, historian, social critic [Richard Henry Tawney]
Religion and the Rise of Capitalism, ch. 5 (1926)
(Source)

Epictetus -- The Discourses, Book 1, ch. 24

Dave — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 22:52:32 +0000

Difficulties are things that show what men are.

Epictetus (c. 55-c. 135 AD) Greek (Phrygian) Stoic philosopher [Ἐπίκτητος, Epíktētos]
The Discourses, Book 1, ch. 24

Kierkegaard, Soren -- (Misattributed)

Dave — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 01:49:28 +0000

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.

Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) Danish philosopher, theologian
(Misattributed)

Misattributed to Kierkegaard by Cyril Connolly, Horizon, vol. 11 (1945). More properly attributed to Jacobus Johannes van der Leeuw (1893–1934), The Conquest of Illusion, ch. 1: "The mystery of life in not a problem to be solved, it is a reality to be experienced."

Seuss, Dr. -- The Lorax (1971)

Dave — Tue, 19 Apr 2016 13:48:52 +0000

Unless someone like you
cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better.
It’s not.

Dr. Seuss (1904-1991) American author, illustrator [pseud. of Theodor Geisel]
The Lorax (1971)

Kettering, Charles F. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:07:11 +0000

A problem well stated is a problem half-solved.

Charles F. Kettering (1876-1958) American inventor, engineer, researcher, businessman
(Attributed)

Sometimes attributed to John Dewey.

Kettering, Charles F. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Fri, 14 Aug 2015 13:17:52 +0000

The only difference between a problem and a solution is that people understand the solution.

Charles F. Kettering (1876-1958) American inventor, engineer, researcher, businessman
(Attributed)

Quoted in Thomas Alvin Boyd, Charles F. Kettering: A Biography (1957)

Kettering, Charles F. -- Sign at the General Motors research laboratories

Dave — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:02:21 +0000

This problem, when solved, will be simple.

Charles F. Kettering (1876-1958) American inventor, engineer, researcher, businessman
Sign at the General Motors research laboratories
(Source)

Quoted by Kettering in "Don't Be Afraid to Stumble," The Rotarian (Jan 1952)

Hutchins, Robert M. -- Great Books: The Foundation of a Liberal Education (1954)

Dave — Mon, 15 Jun 2015 12:30:16 +0000

The facts are indispensable; they are not sufficient. To solve a problem it is necessary to think.

Robert M. Hutchins (1899-1977) American educator and educational philosopher
Great Books: The Foundation of a Liberal Education (1954)

Wittgenstein, Ludwig -- Culture and Value, 1940 (1977) [tr. Winch (1980)]

Dave — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 12:06:58 +0000

If this stone won’t budge at present and is wedged in, move some of the other stones around it first.

Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889-1951) Austrian-English philosopher
Culture and Value, 1940 (1977) [tr. Winch (1980)]

Bramah, Ernest -- “The Story of Hien and the Chief Examiner,” Kai Lung’s Golden Hours (1922)

Dave — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 12:28:43 +0000

There are few situations in life that cannot be honourably settled, and without loss of time, either by suicide, a bag of gold, or by thrusting a despised antagonist over the edge of a precipice upon a dark night.

Ernest Bramah (1868-1942) English author [Ernest Brammah Smith]
“The Story of Hien and the Chief Examiner,” Kai Lung’s Golden Hours (1922)

Eisenhower, Dwight David -- “Let’s Be Honest with Ourselves,” Reader’s Digest (Dec 1963)

Dave — Mon, 13 Apr 2015 11:53:53 +0000

The older I get, the more wisdom I find in the ancient rule of taking first things first — a process which often reduces the most complex human problems to manageable proportions.

Dwight David Eisenhower (1890-1969) American general, US President (1953-61)
“Let’s Be Honest with Ourselves,” Reader’s Digest (Dec 1963)

Ackoff, Russell -- “Case Histories Five Years after,” Operations Research 8.2 (1960)

Dave — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 12:46:46 +0000

The only problems that have simple solutions are simple problems. The only managers that have simple problems have simple minds. Problems that arise in organisations are almost always the product of interactions of parts, never the action of a single part. Complex problems do not have simple solutions.

Russell L. Ackoff (1919-2009) American organizational theorist, consultant, management scientist
“Case Histories Five Years after,” Operations Research 8.2 (1960)

Fuller, Thomas (1654) -- Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 583 (1725)

Dave — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 12:03:32 +0000

If thy Business be perplexed, divide it, and look upon all its Parts and Sides.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 1, # 583 (1725)
(Source)

See Descartes.

George, Henry -- Social Problems, ch. 1 (1883)

Dave — Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:20:45 +0000

At the bottom of every social problem we will find a social wrong.

Henry George (1839-1897) American economist
Social Problems, ch. 1 (1883)

Ackoff, Russell -- “The future of operational research is past,” The Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol 30 (1979)

Dave — Thu, 26 Mar 2015 12:43:12 +0000

When a mess, which is a system of problems, is taken apart, it loses its essential properties and so does each of its parts. The behavior of a mess depends more on how the treatment of its parts interact than how they act independently of each other. A partial solution to a whole system of problems is better than whole solutions of each of its parts taken separately.

Russell L. Ackoff (1919-2009) American organizational theorist, consultant, management scientist
“The future of operational research is past,” The Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol 30 (1979)

Jung, Carl -- Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious (1934) [tr. Hull (1959)]

Dave — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 12:34:56 +0000

To ask the right question is already half the solution of a problem.

Carl Jung (1875-1961) Swiss psychologist
Archetypes of the Collective Unconscious (1934) [tr. Hull (1959)]

Ackoff, Russell -- “The future of operational research is past,” The Journal of the Operational Research Society, Vol 30, pp.93-104. (1979)

Dave — Thu, 19 Mar 2015 12:29:23 +0000

Managers are not confronted with problems that are independent of each other, but with dynamic situations that consist of complex systems of changing problems that interact with each other. I call such situations messes. Problems are extracted from messes by analysis. Managers do not solve problems, they manage messes.

Kaiser, Henry J. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 12:21:45 +0000

Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.

Henry J. Kaiser (1882-1967) American industrialist
(Attributed)

Ackoff, Russell -- The Art of Problem Solving (1978)

Dave — Thu, 12 Mar 2015 14:41:09 +0000

In reactive problem solving we walk into the future facing the past — we move away from, rather than toward, something. This often results in unforeseen consequences that are more distasteful than the deficiencies removed.

Russell L. Ackoff (1919-2009) American organizational theorist, consultant, management scientist
The Art of Problem Solving (1978)

Ackoff, Russell -- “The development of operations research as a science,” Operations Research (Jun 1956)

Dave — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 13:01:31 +0000

A problem never exists in isolation; it is surrounded by other problems in space and time. The more of the context of a problem that a scientist can comprehend, the greater are his chances of finding a truly adequate solution.

Russell L. Ackoff (1919-2009) American organizational theorist, consultant, management scientist
“The development of operations research as a science,” Operations Research (Jun 1956)

Keillor, Garrison -- “The Old Scout,” The Writer’s Almanac (4 Oct 2005)

Dave — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 13:21:09 +0000

There is almost no marital problem that can’t be helped enormously by taking off your clothes.

Garrison Keillor (b. 1942) American entertainer, author
“The Old Scout,” The Writer’s Almanac (4 Oct 2005)

Ackoff, Russell -- Redesigning the Future (1974)

Dave — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 14:20:07 +0000

Successful problem solving requires finding the right solution to the right problem. We fail more often because we solve the wrong problem than because we get the wrong solution to the right problem.

Russell L. Ackoff (1919-2009) American organizational theorist, consultant, management scientist
Redesigning the Future (1974)

Burgh, James -- The Dignity of Human Nature, Book 1, sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts on Prudence in Conversation” (1754)

Dave — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 13:26:25 +0000

Be sure of the fact before you lose time in searching for a cause.

James Burgh (1714-1775) British politician and writer
The Dignity of Human Nature, Book 1, sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts on Prudence in Conversation” (1754)
(Source)

Sometimes misattributed to Horace Mann.

Shakespeare, William -- Hamlet, Act 4, sc. 5, l. 84ff (4.5.84-85) (c. 1600)

Dave — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 12:53:11 +0000

CLAUDIUS: When sorrows come, they come not single spies,
But in battalions.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Hamlet, Act 4, sc. 5, l. 84ff (4.5.84-85) (c. 1600)
(Source)

Joubert, Joseph -- Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 18 “Du Siècle [On the Age],” ¶ 21 (1850 ed.) [tr. Auster (1983), 1813 entry]

Dave — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 17:10:48 +0000

In political institutions, almost everything we call an abuse was once a remedy.

[Presque tout ce que nous appelons un abus fut un remède dans les institutions politiques.]

Joseph Joubert (1754-1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 18 “Du Siècle [On the Age],” ¶ 21 (1850 ed.) [tr. Auster (1983), 1813 entry]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translation:

In political institutions nearly everything that we now call an abuse, was once a remedy.
[tr. Lyttelton (1899), ch. 17, ¶ 8]

Jefferson, Thomas -- Letter (1785-08-19) to Peter Carr

Dave — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:30:42 +0000

If ever you find yourself environed with difficulties and perplexing circumstances out of which you are at a loss how to extricate yourself, do what is right, and be assured that that will extricate you the best out of the worst situations. Though you cannot see when you take one step what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of the labyrinth in the easiest manner possible. The knot which you thought a Gordian one will untie itself before you. Nothing is so mistaken as the supposition that a person is to extricate himself from a difficulty by intrigue, by chicanery, by dissimulation, by trimming, by an untruth, by an injustice. This increases the difficulties tenfold; and those who pursue these methods get themselves so involved at length that they can turn no way but their infamy becomes more exposed.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1785-08-19) to Peter Carr
(Source)

~Other -- “Murphy’s Law” (1949)

Dave — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:57:10 +0000

If anything can go wrong, it will.

(Other Authors and Sources)
“Murphy’s Law” (1949)

Direct variants:

"Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong."
"Everything that can possibly go wrong will go wrong."

The history behind Murphy's Law -- and its very similar antecedents -- is long and disputed, unsurprising given its simple sentiments. It is most often attributed (via the name) to Capt. Edward Murphy, a development engineer working on rapid deceleration G-force tests, and first named as such by Dr. John Stapp, a US Air Force colonel and Flight Surgeon overseeing the project.

More information:

Peres, Shimon -- (Attributed)

Dave — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:28:31 +0000

If a problem has no solution, it may not be a problem, but a fact, not to be solved, but to be coped with over time.

Shimon Peres (1923-2016) Polish-Israeli politician, statesman
(Attributed)

Widely attributed to Peres in different sources. Quoted in the Wall Street Journal (7 Feb 2001). Donald Rumsfeld says that Peres made the observation to him.

Hubbard, Elbert -- A Thousand and One Epigrams (1911)

Dave — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:00:05 +0000

Don’t make excuses — make good!

Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) American writer, businessman, philosopher
A Thousand and One Epigrams (1911)

Peter, Lawrence J. -- Peter’s Almanac, entry for 24 Sep. (1982).

Dave — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:33:10 +0000

Some problems are so complex that you have to be highly intelligent and well informed just to be undecided about them.

Lawrence J. Peter (1919-1990) American educator, management theorist
Peter’s Almanac, entry for 24 Sep. (1982).

Colton, Charles Caleb -- Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Vol. 2, § 241 (1822)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Evils in the journey of life are like the hills which alarm travelers on their road. Both appear great at a distance, but when we approach them we find they are far less insurmountable than we had conceived.

Charles Caleb "C. C." Colton (1780-1832) English cleric, writer, aphorist
Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Vol. 2, § 241 (1822)
(Source)

Anderson, Poul -- Call Me Joe [Arne Viken] (1957)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

After all my time here, I’ve yet to see any problem, however complicated, which, when you looked at it in the right way, didn’t become still more complicated.

Poul Anderson (1926-2001) American writer
Call Me Joe [Arne Viken] (1957)

Sometimes attributed to Arthur Koestler (who attributed the quote to Anderson). See here for more details (and a reference to WIST).

Faulkner, William -- Letter to David Kirk, Oxford, Miss. (8 Mar 1956)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

I have found that the greatest help in meeting any problem with decency and self-respect and whatever courage is demanded, is to know where you yourself stand. That is, to have in words what you believe and are acting from.

William Faulkner (1897-1962) American novelist
Letter to David Kirk, Oxford, Miss. (8 Mar 1956)
(Source)

Watterson, Bill -- Calvin and Hobbes (1986-05-26)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

CALVIN: There’s no problem so awful that you can’t add some guilt to it and make it even worse!

Bill Watterson (b. 1958) American cartoonist
Calvin and Hobbes (1986-05-26)
(Source)

Rogers, Will -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can’t it get us out?

Will Rogers (1879-1935) American humorist
(Attributed)

I cannot find this in a primary source by Rogers.

Mencken, H. L. -- “The Divine Afflatus,” New York Evening Mail (16 Nov 1917)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 18:00:00 +0000

Explanations exist; they have existed for all time; there is always a well-known solution to every human problem — neat, plausible, and wrong.

H. L. Mencken (1880-1956) American writer and journalist [Henry Lewis Mencken]
“The Divine Afflatus,” New York Evening Mail (16 Nov 1917)
(Source)

Reprinted in Prejudices: Second Series (1920) and A Mencken Chrestomathy, ch. 25 (1949).

Variants:

"There is always an easy solution to every human problem -- neat, plausible, and wrong."
"For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong."

~Other -- Jeff Shepherd, Jeff’s Weekly Quotations, #39 (1994)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

A rain came along last night and gently wet San Diego. It cleaned off my car except for a stubborn bird blessing on the hood. I had been staring at it for several days and the rain cleaned everything except that single spot. (sigh) For the most part, things take care of themselves if we just let them, but every now and again we’ve got to get involved, and dirty our hands.

(Other Authors and Sources)
Jeff Shepherd, Jeff’s Weekly Quotations, #39 (1994)

Gide, André -- Journal (26 Oct 1924) [tr. O’Brien (1951)]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

It is not always by plugging away at a difficulty and sticking at it that one overcomes it; but, rather, often by working on the one next to it. Certain people and certain things require to be approached on an angle.

André Gide (1869-1951) French author, Nobel laureate
Journal (26 Oct 1924) [tr. O’Brien (1951)]