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About this quote

What does it mean?
Wisdom involves foresight to avoid problems, whereas cleverness only addresses them after they arise.
In plain terms
Smart people solve problems; wise people avoid them before they start.
What can you take from it?
Strive to anticipate issues rather than just fixing them later.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • planning
  • conflict management

Putting it to work

  • risk assessment
  • strategic planning
  • conflict prevention

Questions to consider

  • How do you anticipate problems?
  • Is avoidance always better than solving?

Another view

Some problems are unavoidable despite good foresight.

More from Albert Einstein

  1. We should take care not to make the intellect our god; it has, of course, powerful muscles, but no personality. It cannot lead, it can only serve

    Permalink to quote #168
  2. A little knowledge is dangerous. So is a lot.

    Permalink to quote #170
  3. To take those fools in clerical garb seriously is to show them too much honor.

    Permalink to quote #167

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