---
title: "5 Guessing Quotes By Nat Greene"
description: "5 Guessing quotes by Nat Greene. Plus more from Nat Greene and more Guessing sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/nat-greene-9189_quote_most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage_646313.jpg"
---

> [“most methods disguise the guessing stage in some fancy language, such as “determine possible root causes.” This is making a list of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage-in-some-fancy-language-such/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/nat-greene-9189_quote_most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage_646313.jpg)

> [“In my own experience I have found that most problem-solving methods promote guessing at some point in the process, but that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/in-my-own-experience-i-have-found-that-most-problem-solving-methods/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c23/nat-greene-9189_quote_in-my-own-experience-i-have-found-that-m_1305457.jpg)

> [“The practice of guessing so obviously fails in detective work that it’s almost shocking that we guess when we have important problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/the-practice-of-guessing-so-obviously-fails-in-detective-work-that-it/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/nat-greene-9189_detective-work_the-practice-of-guessing-so-obviously-fa_2810753.jpg)

> [“Great problem-solvers resist the temptation to guess at every stage of the process. Guessing is a tough habit to break, so get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/great-problem-solvers-resist-the-temptation-to-guess-at-every-stage/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/nat-greene-9189_guessing_great-problem-solvers-resist-the-temptat_2836797.jpg)

> [“If you believe that complex solutions are better than simple ones, or if you believe it’s better to take a simple guessing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/if-you-believe-that-complex-solutions-are-better-than-simple-ones-or/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/nat-greene-9189_guessing_if-you-believe-that-complex-solutions-ar_2960279.jpg)

## Other authors on Guessing

## More by Nat Greene

> [“If you believe that success is inevitable, you’re less likely to work your tail off in order to achieve it. Hard problems are definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/if-you-believe-that-success-is-inevitable-you-re-less-likely-to-work/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“To solve truly hard problems, you’ll need to use a method that doesn’t involve guessing in any step.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/to-solve-truly-hard-problems-you-ll-need-to-use-a-method-that-doesn-t/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“Defining the acceptable and unacceptable ranges for this variable means that the problem definition is objective and immune to opinion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/defining-the-acceptable-and-unacceptable-ranges-for-this-variable/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“Embrace your ignorance. Most people try to solve problems using the knowledge they already have about a process, but it’s what you don’t know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/embrace-your-ignorance-most-people-try-to-solve-problems-using-the/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“When a system isn’t working right, someone has to understand how it’s meant to work, at the right depth, in order to fix it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/when-a-system-isn-t-working-right-someone-has-to-understand-how-it-s/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“When you move down your tree, keep in mind there may be multiple variables contributing to the failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/when-you-move-down-your-tree-keep-in-mind-there-may-be-multiple/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance. —HIPPOCRATES, ANCIENT GREEK FOUNDER OF THE SCIENCE OF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/there-are-in-fact-two-things-science-and-opinion-the-former-begets-2/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“We need to understand what variables most directly control our primary variable by understanding the science behind how the system works.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/we-need-to-understand-what-variables-most-directly-control-our/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“Perhaps many aid organizations make assumptions about the problem they are solving, and throw hundreds of billions of dollars at the problem to little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/perhaps-many-aid-organizations-make-assumptions-about-the-problem/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“The last major risk to getting good facts is our own prejudices. While we may not always test a solution based on our opinions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/the-last-major-risk-to-getting-good-facts-is-our-own-prejudices-while/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“most methods disguise the guessing stage in some fancy language, such as “determine possible root causes.” This is making a list of guesses, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage-in-some-fancy-language-such/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“Perhaps the most useful approach for defining the problem well is structuring it as a measurable variable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/perhaps-the-most-useful-approach-for-defining-the-problem-well-is/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“Don’t confuse believing in a simple solution with hoping that a simple guess will work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/don-t-confuse-believing-in-a-simple-solution-with-hoping-that-a/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“Keep in mind that the method you choose to guide you is of little use without strong problem-solving behaviors.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/keep-in-mind-that-the-method-you-choose-to-guide-you-is-of-little-use/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

> [“Even when diving into a problem, there’s a fear of looking ignorant or “stupid” by asking questions one is “supposed to know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/even-when-diving-into-a-problem-there-s-a-fear-of-looking-ignorant-or/)

[Nat Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nat-greene/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "ItemList",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guessing/nat-greene/#itemlist",
            "name": "5 Guessing Quotes By Nat Greene",
            "numberOfItems": 5,
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "“most methods disguise the guessing stage in some fancy language, such as “determine possible root causes.” This is making a list of guesses, and at this point I hope you would read such an instruction and declare, “How the heck am I meant to do that?” Even coming up with a “hypothesis” is a guess, despite it being a scientific term. If at any point in a method you are asked to make a list, “come up with” something, or hypothesize, then avoid such a method for the junk that it is.”",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Nat Greene"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage-in-some-fancy-language-such/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/nat-greene-9189_quote_most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage_646313.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/nat-greene-9189_quote_most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage_646313.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/nat-greene-9189_quote_most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage_646313.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“most methods disguise the guessing stage in some fancy language, such as “determine possible root causes.”…” — Nat Greene",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "“In my own experience I have found that most problem-solving methods promote guessing at some point in the process, but that it is snuck in under disguise.”",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Nat Greene"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/in-my-own-experience-i-have-found-that-most-problem-solving-methods/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c23/nat-greene-9189_quote_in-my-own-experience-i-have-found-that-m_1305457.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c23/nat-greene-9189_quote_in-my-own-experience-i-have-found-that-m_1305457.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c23/nat-greene-9189_quote_in-my-own-experience-i-have-found-that-m_1305457.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“In my own experience I have found that most problem-solving methods promote guessing at some point in the…” — Nat Greene",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "“The practice of guessing so obviously fails in detective work that it’s almost shocking that we guess when we have important problems to solve.”",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Nat Greene"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/the-practice-of-guessing-so-obviously-fails-in-detective-work-that-it/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/nat-greene-9189_detective-work_the-practice-of-guessing-so-obviously-fa_2810753.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/nat-greene-9189_detective-work_the-practice-of-guessing-so-obviously-fa_2810753.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d0/nat-greene-9189_detective-work_the-practice-of-guessing-so-obviously-fa_2810753.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“The practice of guessing so obviously fails in detective work that it’s almost shocking that we guess when…” — Nat Greene",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "“Great problem-solvers resist the temptation to guess at every stage of the process. Guessing is a tough habit to break, so get started!”",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Nat Greene"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/great-problem-solvers-resist-the-temptation-to-guess-at-every-stage/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/nat-greene-9189_guessing_great-problem-solvers-resist-the-temptat_2836797.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/nat-greene-9189_guessing_great-problem-solvers-resist-the-temptat_2836797.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ca/nat-greene-9189_guessing_great-problem-solvers-resist-the-temptat_2836797.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“Great problem-solvers resist the temptation to guess at every stage of the process. Guessing is a tough…” — Nat Greene",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 5,
                    "item": {
                        "@type": "Quotation",
                        "text": "“If you believe that complex solutions are better than simple ones, or if you believe it’s better to take a simple guessing shortcut, but then be saddled with a horrendous, complicated execution plan, you might as well give up now.”",
                        "creator": {
                            "@type": "Person",
                            "name": "Nat Greene"
                        },
                        "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nat-greene/if-you-believe-that-complex-solutions-are-better-than-simple-ones-or/",
                        "image": {
                            "@type": "ImageObject",
                            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/nat-greene-9189_guessing_if-you-believe-that-complex-solutions-ar_2960279.jpg",
                            "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/nat-greene-9189_guessing_if-you-believe-that-complex-solutions-ar_2960279.jpg",
                            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffd/nat-greene-9189_guessing_if-you-believe-that-complex-solutions-ar_2960279.jpg",
                            "width": 1080,
                            "height": 1080,
                            "caption": "“If you believe that complex solutions are better than simple ones, or if you believe it’s better to take a…” — Nat Greene",
                            "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                            "creator": {
                                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "@type": "CollectionPage",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guessing/nat-greene/#webpage",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guessing/nat-greene/",
            "name": "Guessing Quotes by Nat Greene",
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "mainEntity": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guessing/nat-greene/#itemlist"
            },
            "primaryImageOfPage": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b3f/nat-greene-9189_quote_most-methods-disguise-the-guessing-stage_646313.jpg"
            },
            "description": "5 Guessing quotes by Nat Greene. Plus more from Nat Greene and more Guessing sayings from other authors.",
            "breadcrumb": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guessing/nat-greene/#breadcrumb"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guessing/nat-greene/#breadcrumb",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Topics",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Guessing",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guessing/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 5,
                    "name": "Nat Greene",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guessing/nat-greene/"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```