Adversity Quote by Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff
“It is sometimes easier to circumvent prevailing difficulties [in science] rather than to attack them.”
About This Quote
In science, it can be more effective to work around obstacles than to confront them directly, using indirect methods to achieve progress.
In simple terms: Circumventing problems can be easier than attacking them.
Seek clever work‑arounds.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- research design
- laboratory experiments
- engineering challenges
- policy implementation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it better to confront versus circumvent?
- What risks arise from avoidance?
May overlook root causes needing direct address.