--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The solutions all are simple - after you…" description: "\"The solutions all are simple - after you have arrived at them. But they're simple only when you know already what they are.\" — Robert M. Pirsig" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/robert-m-pirsig-817_problem-solving_the-solutions-all-are-simple-after-you-h_2329191.png" --- # The solutions all are simple - after you have arrived at… ![“The solutions all are simple - after you have arrived at them. But they're simple only when you know already what they are.” quote by Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/robert-m-pirsig-817_problem-solving_the-solutions-all-are-simple-after-you-h_2329191.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/robert-m-pirsig-817_problem-solving_the-solutions-all-are-simple-after-you-h_2329191.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/21b/robert-m-pirsig-817_problem-solving_the-solutions-all-are-simple-after-you-h_2329191.png) > “The solutions all are simple - after you have arrived at them. But they're simple only when you know already what they are.” [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Solutions appear simple once recognized, but recognizing them requires prior insight and understanding. **In simple terms:** Solutions seem simple after you understand them. Key Takeaway Seek insight before judging simplicity. Themes philosophy problem solving learning Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - education - engineering - personal growth Key Concepts simplicity insight epiphany knowledge Questions to Reflect On - How do you cultivate the insight needed to see simple solutions? - When might a “simple” solution be insufficient? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on simplicity can ignore underlying complexity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) ## Related quotes > [It's very satisfying to take a problem we thought difficult and find a simple solution. The best solutions are always simple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-sutherland/it-s-very-satisfying-to-take-a-problem-we-thought-difficult-and-find/) [Ivan Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-sutherland/) > ['Big' problems are overwhelming, but when we distil them down to their simplest forms, then the solutions become simple, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taavet-hinrikus/big-problems-are-overwhelming-but-when-we-distil-them-down-to-their/) [Taavet Hinrikus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taavet-hinrikus/) > [The best solutions are often simple, yet unexpected.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/the-best-solutions-are-often-simple-yet-unexpected/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [My basic needs are really very simple: to know You love me, You like me.. And I am Yours..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/my-basic-needs-are-really-very-simple-to-know-you-love-me-you-like-me/) Unkown > [“all things are simple when once you know them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-things-are-simple-when-once-you-know-them/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I maybe be simple, but I know in myself that I could rock your world. Just try me :)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shhhhh/i-maybe-be-simple-but-i-know-in-myself-that-i-could-rock-your-world/) Shhhhh > [Working out is simple if you know what to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lashley/working-out-is-simple-if-you-know-what-to-do/) [Bobby Lashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lashley/) > [Phenomena complex-laws simple…Know what to leave out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/phenomena-complex-laws-simple-know-what-to-leave-out/) [Richard P. 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Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [I suppose philosophy is historically not a woman's game, though that is changing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/i-suppose-philosophy-is-historically-not-a-woman-s-game-though-that/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [Up until my first book was published, I had all this potential, people would say, and I screwed up. After it, I could say:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/up-until-my-first-book-was-published-i-had-all-this-potential-people/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [There is a perennial classical question that asks which part of the motorcycle, which grain of sand in which pile, is the Buddha. Obviously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/there-is-a-perennial-classical-question-that-asks-which-part-of-the/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [“Of the value traps, the most widespread and pernicious is value rigidity. This is an inability to revalue what one sees because of commitment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/of-the-value-traps-the-most-widespread-and-pernicious-is-value/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [“Historically mystics have claimed that for a true understanding of reality metaphysics is too “scientific”. Metaphysics is not reality. Metaphysics is names about reality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/historically-mystics-have-claimed-that-for-a-true-understanding-of/) [Robert M. 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Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [If a revolution destroys a systematic government, but the systematic patterns of thought that produced that government are left intact, then those patterns will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/if-a-revolution-destroys-a-systematic-government-but-the-systematic/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [The only Zen you can find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/the-only-zen-you-can-find-on-the-tops-of-mountains-is-the-zen-you/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [Only social patterns can control biological patterns, and the instrument of conversation between society and biology is not words. The instrument of conversation between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/only-social-patterns-can-control-biological-patterns-and-the/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) > [Even in the presence of others he was completely alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-pirsig/even-in-the-presence-of-others-he-was-completely-alone/) [Robert M. Pirsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) [Explore all 351 Robert M. Pirsig quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-pirsig/) ## More Problem solving quotes > [Every human creates his own problems. Problems are ones private property and we shouldnt meddle into them self-initiatively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruben-papian/every-human-creates-his-own-problems-problems-are-ones-private/) [Ruben Papian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruben-papian/) > [“Nothing is easier than yesterday's solutions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-sperry/nothing-is-easier-than-yesterday-s-solutions/) Roger Sperry > [I’m I really working on the right thing, or once I put the solution in place I’m I going to get the benefit out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-evans/i-m-i-really-working-on-the-right-thing-or-once-i-put-the-solution-in/) [Dave Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-evans/) > [When you have solved the problem of controlling the attention of the child, you have solved the entire problem of its education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/when-you-have-solved-the-problem-of-controlling-the-attention-of-the/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [“Every problem has a solution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilas-taha/every-problem-has-a-solution/) Lilas Taha > [If you seek only easy problems to solve, then ultimately, there'll be nothing about you to distinguish yourself from others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/if-you-seek-only-easy-problems-to-solve-then-ultimately-there-ll-be/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“Having a process that ensures problems are brought to the surface, and their root causes diagnosed, assures that continual improvements occur.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/having-a-process-that-ensures-problems-are-brought-to-the-surface-and/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [When I hit bottom, I can attack the problem and get to where I want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-rodman/when-i-hit-bottom-i-can-attack-the-problem-and-get-to-where-i-want-to/) [Dennis Rodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-rodman/) > [Of course design is about problem solving, but I cannot resist adding something personal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wim-crouwel/of-course-design-is-about-problem-solving-but-i-cannot-resist-adding/) [Wim Crouwel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wim-crouwel/) > [Dont focus on problems, they are plentiful and never ending. Instead be a Solution Seeker, one who looks for opportunities in everything. Remember, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/dont-focus-on-problems-they-are-plentiful-and-never-ending-instead-be/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [Before it can be solved, a problem must be clearly defined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/before-it-can-be-solved-a-problem-must-be-clearly-defined/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [Music is a lot more like solving an intricate puzzle with moments of pure, random creative bliss... whereas painting is much more purely random…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-boyd/music-is-a-lot-more-like-solving-an-intricate-puzzle-with-moments-of/) [Brandon Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-boyd/) > [“Consultants use four tools to solve clients’ biggest problems. You can use the exact same tools to tackle any type of case interview: Hypothesis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cheng/consultants-use-four-tools-to-solve-clients-biggest-problems-you-can/) [Victor Cheng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cheng/) > [I got 99 problems and spring break can solve them all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-got-99-problems-and-spring-break-can-solve-them-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It’s a Problem When It’s a Problem”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-a-problem-when-it-s-a-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 3,119 Problem solving quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The solutions all are simple - after you have arrived at them. 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