Q. In reference to Problem-Solving, who said, “to act is easy, to think is hard.”?
a) Thompson
b) E. M. Forster
c) Jean Paul
d) Goethe
Correct Answer: d) Goethe
Question from UPPSC Prelims CSAT 2025
Explanation:
The quote is attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The original German aphorism is: ‘Denken ist leicht, Handeln ist schwer; nach dem Gedanken handeln ist das allerschwerste,’ commonly translated as ‘Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to act in accordance with oneβs thinking is the most difficult.’ In problem-solving literature it is often paraphrased as ‘to act is easy, to think is hard,’ retaining the core message about the challenge of thoughtful action. The other options (Thompson, E. M. Forster, Jean Paul) are not associated with this saying.