Books Quote by USMC (Ret Lt Gen Paul K. Van Riper
““Whenever you are presented with a problem, the first thing you should do is conduct a literature survey.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Military Leadership Lecture, 1990
Before tackling any issue, gather existing knowledge to avoid reinventing the wheel and to build on prior work.
In simple terms: Research first, then act.
Key Takeaway
Start with a literature review.
Themes
problem solving
research
efficiency
Mood
analytical
pragmatic
Type
instructional
strategic
When to use this quote
- academic projects
- military planning
- product development
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
knowledge management
strategic planning
Questions to Reflect On
- What sources will you prioritize?
- How will you assess their credibility?
A Different Perspective
If literature is outdated or biased, the survey may mislead.
