Full Idea
Descartes' four principles for his method of thinking are: be cautious, analyse the problem, be systematic from simple to complex, and keep an overview of the problem
Gist of Idea
Methodical thinking is cautious, analytical, systematic, and panoramic
Source
report of René Descartes (A Discourse on Method [1637], §2.18) by PG - Db (ideas)
Book Reference
Descartes,René: 'Discourse on Method/The Meditations', ed/tr. Sutcliffe,F.E. [Penguin 1968], p.41