--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Thank goodness we don't have only serious…" description: "\"Thank goodness we don't have only serious problems, but ridiculous ones as well.\" — Edsger Dijkstra" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/edsger-dijkstra-5102_goodness_thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-seriou_2756093.png" --- # Thank goodness we don't have only serious problems, but… ![“Thank goodness we don't have only serious problems, but ridiculous ones as well.” quote by Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/edsger-dijkstra-5102_goodness_thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-seriou_2756093.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/edsger-dijkstra-5102_goodness_thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-seriou_2756093.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/edsger-dijkstra-5102_goodness_thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-seriou_2756093.png) > “Thank goodness we don't have only serious problems, but ridiculous ones as well.” [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Serious problems coexist with absurd ones, providing balance and humor. **In simple terms:** Both serious and ridiculous exist. Key Takeaway Embrace humor to offset seriousness. Themes balance humor perspective Mood lighthearted reflective Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - stress relief - creative problem solving - team building Key Concepts Philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does humor affect problem solving? - When is levity appropriate? A Different Perspective May trivialize important issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problems/) [Thank goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thank-goodness/) ## Related quotes > [I make a point to tweet out really funny comments I get on YouTube videos. I have the most ridiculous ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clairo/i-make-a-point-to-tweet-out-really-funny-comments-i-get-on-youtube/) [Clairo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clairo/) > [“Now that we've come up with all the obvious answers to our problem, it's time to come up with some truly ridiculous ones." "Ridiculous?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-hughes/now-that-we-ve-come-up-with-all-the-obvious-answers-to-our-problem-it/) Carol Hughes > [“You don't have problems, you have resistance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-archelaus/you-don-t-have-problems-you-have-resistance/) Rachel Archelaus > [“I don't have problems, I have Desires.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil/i-don-t-have-problems-i-have-desires/) Nikhil > [“I don't have problems. I am a writer. I am the problem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arzum-uzun/i-don-t-have-problems-i-am-a-writer-i-am-the-problem/) [Arzum Uzun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arzum-uzun/) > [I don't have any problems with criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-don-t-have-any-problems-with-criticism/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [If you have a problem with me, then we'll have a problem. But if not, I don't have problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/if-you-have-a-problem-with-me-then-we-ll-have-a-problem-but-if-not-i/) [Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/) > [Life is nothing, if you don't have problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghav-singh/life-is-nothing-if-you-don-t-have-problems/) [Raghav Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghav-singh/) > [I don't have problems with nobody, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trick-daddy/i-don-t-have-problems-with-nobody-period/) [Trick Daddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trick-daddy/) > [We don't have any problems, apart from the problems we have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rafael-benitez/we-don-t-have-any-problems-apart-from-the-problems-we-have/) [Rafael Benitez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rafael-benitez/) > [I don't have problems with people, because if I do, I address it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wiz-khalifa/i-don-t-have-problems-with-people-because-if-i-do-i-address-it/) [Wiz Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wiz-khalifa/) > [You'd think that would have been forgotten long ago. But no, no sooner has a little grass grown over it than some clumsy camel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerstin-gier/you-d-think-that-would-have-been-forgotten-long-ago-but-no-no-sooner/) [Kerstin Gier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerstin-gier/) > [Thank goodness I had a great family growing up, a great foundation. But I will say my faith, my parents, my family, all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donny-osmond/thank-goodness-i-had-a-great-family-growing-up-a-great-foundation-but/) [Donny Osmond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donny-osmond/) > [Rene Char wrote somewhere, apropos poetry, that there are those who create and those who discover; they are too completely different worlds. Photograph also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-cartier-bresson/rene-char-wrote-somewhere-apropos-poetry-that-there-are-those-who/) [Henri Cartier-Bresson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-cartier-bresson/) > [There's always something going on, but thank goodness these days it's with a clear head, which helps me massively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-anselmo/there-s-always-something-going-on-but-thank-goodness-these-days-it-s/) [Phil Anselmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-anselmo/) ## More by Edsger Dijkstra > [Production speed is severely slowed down if one works with half-time people who have other obligations as well. This is at least a factor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/production-speed-is-severely-slowed-down-if-one-works-with-half-time/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [The computing scientist's main challenge is not to get confused by the complexities of his own making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/the-computing-scientist-s-main-challenge-is-not-to-get-confused-by/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Probably I am very naive, but I also think I prefer to remain so, at least for the time being and perhaps for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/probably-i-am-very-naive-but-i-also-think-i-prefer-to-remain-so-at/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [In the good old days physicists repeated each other's experiments, just to be sure. Today they stick to FORTRAN, so that they can share…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/in-the-good-old-days-physicists-repeated-each-other-s-experiments/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Don't compete with me: firstly, I have more experience, and secondly, I have chosen the weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/don-t-compete-with-me-firstly-i-have-more-experience-and-secondly-i/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/computer-science-is-no-more-about-computers-than-astronomy-is-about/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [The use of anthropomorphic terminology forces you linguistically to adopt an operational view. And it makes it practically impossible to argue about programs independently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/the-use-of-anthropomorphic-terminology-forces-you-linguistically-to/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Teaching to unsuspecting youngsters the effective use of formal methods is one of the joys of life because it is so extremely rewarding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/teaching-to-unsuspecting-youngsters-the-effective-use-of-formal/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [ Please don't fall into the trap of believing that I am terribly dogmatical about \[the goto statement\]. I have the uncomfortable feeling that others… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/please-don-t-fall-into-the-trap-of-believing-that-i-am-terribly/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Brainpower is by far our scarcest resource.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/brainpower-is-by-far-our-scarcest-resource/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Programming in Basic causes brain damage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/programming-in-basic-causes-brain-damage/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Several people have told me that my inability to suffer fools gladly is one of my main weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/several-people-have-told-me-that-my-inability-to-suffer-fools-gladly/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [I now have had my foggy crystal ball for quite a long time. Its predictions are invariably gloomy and usually correct, but I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/i-now-have-had-my-foggy-crystal-ball-for-quite-a-long-time-its/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [In this respect a program is like a poem: you cannot write a poem without writing it. Yet people talk about programming as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/in-this-respect-a-program-is-like-a-poem-you-cannot-write-a-poem/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [About the use of language: it is impossible to sharpen a pencil with a blunt axe. It is equally vain to try to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/about-the-use-of-language-it-is-impossible-to-sharpen-a-pencil-with-a/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) [Explore all 103 Edsger Dijkstra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) ## More Goodness quotes > [This is a proof of a well-trained mind, to rejoice in what is good and to grieve at the opposite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/this-is-a-proof-of-a-well-trained-mind-to-rejoice-in-what-is-good-and/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) Daniel K Judd > [Love reacts with goodness towards those who ill-treat it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alistair-begg/love-reacts-with-goodness-towards-those-who-ill-treat-it/) [Alistair Begg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alistair-begg/) > [For the glory born of Goodness Never dies, And its flag is not half-masted In the skies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bret-harte/for-the-glory-born-of-goodness-never-dies-and-its-flag-is-not-half/) [Bret Harte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bret-harte/) > [One may not doubt that, somehow Good Shall come of Water and of Mud; And sure, the reverent eye must see A purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/one-may-not-doubt-that-somehow-good-shall-come-of-water-and-of-mud/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) > [I've never had any desire to be good. I don't like goodness particularly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/i-ve-never-had-any-desire-to-be-good-i-don-t-like-goodness/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [the path of goodness had a name it is called Love in it we find the key to every hope and has it's root…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-path-of-goodness-had-a-name-it-is-called-love-in-it-we-find-the/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [The family remains the basic unit of society and the first school in which children learn the human, spiritual and moral values which enable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/the-family-remains-the-basic-unit-of-society-and-the-first-school-in/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [To make one good action succeed another, is the perfection of goodness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-ibn-abi-talib/to-make-one-good-action-succeed-another-is-the-perfection-of-goodness/) [Ali ibn Abi Talib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-ibn-abi-talib/) > [The living can't quit living because the world has turned terrible and people they love and need are killed. They can't because they don't.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-living-can-t-quit-living-because-the-world-has-turned-terrible/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [The future teachers I try to recruit are those show have refused to let themselves be neutered in this way, either in their private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-kozol/the-future-teachers-i-try-to-recruit-are-those-show-have-refused-to/) [Jonathan Kozol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-kozol/) > [A good man therefore is a standing lesson to us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/a-good-man-therefore-is-a-standing-lesson-to-us-all/) [Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/) > [And if thy heart be straight with God then every creature shall be to thee a mirror of life and a book of holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/and-if-thy-heart-be-straight-with-god-then-every-creature-shall-be-to/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“Sometimes resilience arrives in the moment you discover your own unshakeable goodness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-boyle/sometimes-resilience-arrives-in-the-moment-you-discover-your-own/) [Gregory Boyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-boyle/) > [What is sin? It is the glory of God not honored. The holiness of God not reverenced. The greatness of God not admired. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/what-is-sin-it-is-the-glory-of-god-not-honored-the-holiness-of-god/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) [Browse all 3,129 Goodness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Thank goodness we don't have only serious problems, but ridiculous ones as well.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edsger Dijkstra" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-serious-problems-but-ridiculous/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Goodness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-serious-problems-but-ridiculous/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/edsger-dijkstra-5102_goodness_thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-seriou_2756093.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/edsger-dijkstra-5102_goodness_thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-seriou_2756093.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fa/edsger-dijkstra-5102_goodness_thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-seriou_2756093.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Thank goodness we don't have only serious problems, but ridiculous ones as well.” — Edsger Dijkstra", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "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": "Edsger Dijkstra", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Thank goodness we don't have only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-serious-problems-but-ridiculous/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/thank-goodness-we-don-t-have-only-serious-problems-but-ridiculous/#breadcrumb" }, { "@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 } } ] } ```