Comparing two German with two American quotes about “problems” provides insight into the differences between the two Problemverständnissen – literally problem-understandings.
“To recognize the problem is more important than to recognize the solution, for the accurate and precise description of the problem leads to its solution.” Albert Einstein
“The conception of the problem is more important than the conception of the solution. More lies in the question than in the answer.” Walter Rathenau
“Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.” Henry Ford
“I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” Mark Twain
