--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of the nice things about problems is…" description: "\"One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations.\" — Steve Allen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/steve-allen-10768_good-man_one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is_3203204.jpg" --- # One of the nice things about problems is that a good many… ![“One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations.” quote by Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/steve-allen-10768_good-man_one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is_3203204.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/steve-allen-10768_good-man_one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is_3203204.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/steve-allen-10768_good-man_one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is_3203204.jpg) > “One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations.” [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Imaginary problems can dominate thoughts despite lacking real existence. **In simple terms:** Imaginary problems feel real. Key Takeaway Identify and question imagined obstacles. Themes psychology creativity problem solving Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - brainstorming - planning - stress management - creative writing Key Concepts cognitive distortion mental models Questions to Reflect On - What imagined problem holds you back? - How do you differentiate real vs imagined issues? A Different Perspective Imagined issues may mask actual challenges. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Positive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problems/) ## Related quotes > [“...the things we don't have are sadder than the things we have. Because the things we don't have exist in our imaginations, where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/the-things-we-don-t-have-are-sadder-than-the-things-we-have-because/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) > [“Because the things we don't have are sadder than the things we have. Because the things we don't have exist in our imaginations, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-zevin/because-the-things-we-don-t-have-are-sadder-than-the-things-we-have/) [Gabrielle Zevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-zevin/) > [Places come to exist in our imaginations because of stories, and so do we. When we reach for a "sense of place," we posit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kittredge/places-come-to-exist-in-our-imaginations-because-of-stories-and-so-do/) [William Kittredge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kittredge/) > [“There are no such things as problems. Problems only exist because of laziness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-lawsin/there-are-no-such-things-as-problems-problems-only-exist-because-of/) [Joey Lawsin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-lawsin/) > [You will only be remembered for two things: the problems you solve or the ones you create.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-murdock/you-will-only-be-remembered-for-two-things-the-problems-you-solve-or/) [Mike Murdock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-murdock/) > [I think the oddest thing about the advanced people is that, while they are always talking about things as problems, they have hardly any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-think-the-oddest-thing-about-the-advanced-people-is-that-while-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I don't make excuses if I play bad. I just try to find a way to deal with it. I learned that from my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-kemp/i-don-t-make-excuses-if-i-play-bad-i-just-try-to-find-a-way-to-deal/) [Matt Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-kemp/) > [If yelling and threatening, intimidating and chanting solved problems, Illinois wouldn't have any problems. We're good at that stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-rauner/if-yelling-and-threatening-intimidating-and-chanting-solved-problems/) [Bruce Rauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-rauner/) > [Problems are good, not bad. Welcome them and become the solution. When you have solved enough problems, people will thank you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-victor-hansen/problems-are-good-not-bad-welcome-them-and-become-the-solution-when/) [Mark Victor Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-victor-hansen/) > [Your problems are good. They are power in disguise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-victor-hansen/your-problems-are-good-they-are-power-in-disguise/) [Mark Victor Hansen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-victor-hansen/) > [Problems are good, as long as you solve them quickly,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-whitman/problems-are-good-as-long-as-you-solve-them-quickly/) [Meg Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-whitman/) > [The media cause more problems than they do good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kyle/the-media-cause-more-problems-than-they-do-good/) [Chris Kyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kyle/) > [“But if you push the ownership of problems down into the ranks of an organization, then everyone feels free (and motivated) to attempt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-catmull/but-if-you-push-the-ownership-of-problems-down-into-the-ranks-of-an/) [Ed Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-catmull/) > [There's this whole idea of perfection. What young girls don't realize is that these girls do have problems. It's good for people to realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgia-may-jagger/there-s-this-whole-idea-of-perfection-what-young-girls-don-t-realize/) [Georgia May Jagger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgia-may-jagger/) > [I need problems. A good problem makes me come alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-need-problems-a-good-problem-makes-me-come-alive/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Steve Allen > [Consider the wave of revulsion that floods the average person when he or she hears of the practice of human sacrifice by the Aztecs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/consider-the-wave-of-revulsion-that-floods-the-average-person-when-he/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [In a rational society we would want our presidents to be teachers. In our actual society we insist they be cheerleaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/in-a-rational-society-we-would-want-our-presidents-to-be-teachers-in/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Totalitarianism is patriotism institutionalized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/totalitarianism-is-patriotism-institutionalized/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Just as with cars, it's critical to know the fuel efficiency of black holes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/just-as-with-cars-it-s-critical-to-know-the-fuel-efficiency-of-black/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [The fundamentalist believer is mostly a weird intellectual who often lacks real faith altogether. As a self-appointed attorney for God, who is in no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/the-fundamentalist-believer-is-mostly-a-weird-intellectual-who-often/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [There is not the slightest question but that the God of the Old Testament is a jealous, vengeful God, inflicting not only on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/there-is-not-the-slightest-question-but-that-the-god-of-the-old/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [I personally find it difficult to accept that there could be anyone on earth insensitive to the comic abilities of Laurel and Hardy, Sid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/i-personally-find-it-difficult-to-accept-that-there-could-be-anyone/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Everybody is somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/everybody-is-somewhere/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [The Bible is unfortunately unclear on a long list of moral and social questions and sex is one of them. On the one hand,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/the-bible-is-unfortunately-unclear-on-a-long-list-of-moral-and-social/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Pretend you're a southern sheriff. Or Mae West. Or Donald Duck. Buy a western hat and walk around the house like a cowboy. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/pretend-you-re-a-southern-sheriff-or-mae-west-or-donald-duck-buy-a/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [In those of us who have the mysterious ability to amuse others, it is usually the case that even before we were aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/in-those-of-us-who-have-the-mysterious-ability-to-amuse-others-it-is/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [We must never forget that both good and evil flow from the Bible. It is therefore not above criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/we-must-never-forget-that-both-good-and-evil-flow-from-the-bible-it/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [Impartial observers from other planets would consider ours an utterly bizarre enclave if it were populated by birds, defined as flying animals, that nevertheless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/impartial-observers-from-other-planets-would-consider-ours-an-utterly/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [I was in sixth grade the first time I was required to speak in front of an audience. I had terrible stage fright and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/i-was-in-sixth-grade-the-first-time-i-was-required-to-speak-in-front/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) > [I do not understand those who take little or no interest in the subject of religion. If religion embodies a truth, it is certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/i-do-not-understand-those-who-take-little-or-no-interest-in-the/) [Steve Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) [Explore all 62 Steve Allen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/) ## More Good man quotes > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Good manners are not bred in moments, but in years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-mcnair-wright/good-manners-are-not-bred-in-moments-but-in-years/) [Julia McNair Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-mcnair-wright/) > [Troy was a sweet, good man. We just were never destined to be married. We just didn't have the same values. But I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-pleshette/troy-was-a-sweet-good-man-we-just-were-never-destined-to-be-married/) [Suzanne Pleshette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-pleshette/) > [The life of a good man was a continual warfare with his passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-richardson/the-life-of-a-good-man-was-a-continual-warfare-with-his-passions/) [Samuel Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-richardson/) > [ I don't see \[ Trainspotting \] as an albatross, I see it more as a calling card. It's got me out to Hollywood, I've… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/i-don-t-see-trainspotting-as-an-albatross-i-see-it-more-as-a-calling/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [“I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-monahan/i-put-no-stock-in-religion-by-the-word-religion-i-have-seen-the/) [William Monahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-monahan/) > [To follow good manners willingly is like paving the road and to tell somebody to follow them is like the road which is always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/to-follow-good-manners-willingly-is-like-paving-the-road-and-to-tell/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“It is said that the hallmark of a gentleman is that he is only ever rude intentionally. Arthur Bryant was no gentleman. His rudeness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-fowler/it-is-said-that-the-hallmark-of-a-gentleman-is-that-he-is-only-ever/) [Christopher Fowler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-fowler/) > [I'm a good man with a good heart had a tough time, got a rough start But I finally learned to let it go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mayer/i-m-a-good-man-with-a-good-heart-had-a-tough-time-got-a-rough-start/) [John Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mayer/) > [ I've often thought about that and the only suitable member to join me on that climb \[to Everest\] was George Lowe: he was strong,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-hillary/i-ve-often-thought-about-that-and-the-only-suitable-member-to-join-me/) [Edmund Hillary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-hillary/) > [Of course, when you play football yourself you can think you want to become a manager but it does not make you a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaap-stam/of-course-when-you-play-football-yourself-you-can-think-you-want-to/) [Jaap Stam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaap-stam/) > [“Falsehood of a good man is better than truth of a bad one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheel-farooq/falsehood-of-a-good-man-is-better-than-truth-of-a-bad-one/) [Raheel Farooq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheel-farooq/) > [“Atticus adjusted his glasses as he peered down at the blanket. “Hey, is that the book Nellie told us about?” Jake’s eyes flicked to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-watson/atticus-adjusted-his-glasses-as-he-peered-down-at-the-blanket-hey-is/) [Jude Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-watson/) > [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/) > [“Grits Glossary blues \\’blüz\\ n: nothing but a good man singing about hardship, sorrow, and the things he’s done wrong--but sake’s alive, they make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-ford/grits-glossary-blues-bl-z-n-nothing-but-a-good-man-singing-about/) [Deborah Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-ford/) [Browse all 2,081 Good man quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Steve Allen" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is-that-a-good-many-of-them-do/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Good man" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is-that-a-good-many-of-them-do/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/steve-allen-10768_good-man_one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is_3203204.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/steve-allen-10768_good-man_one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is_3203204.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/855/steve-allen-10768_good-man_one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is_3203204.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“One of the nice things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imaginations.” — Steve Allen", "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": "Steve Allen", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-allen/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "One of the nice things about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is-that-a-good-many-of-them-do/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-allen/one-of-the-nice-things-about-problems-is-that-a-good-many-of-them-do/#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 } } ] } ```