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What does "it does not pay" mean in this sentence?
Therefore, in spite of the fact that the basic question (“What is the force on Q due to q?”) is easy to state, it does not pay to confront it head on; rather, we shall go at it by stages.
I have done some search in internet, but didn't found whole phrase translation.
It does not pay means that the outcome does not have a positive effect that outweighs what it takes to get there.
It is, essentially, the same thing as it isn't worth it
"Pay" refers to a positive reward or profit from doing "it", or in your example, "[Confronting] it head on" and that by "[going] at it by stages", greater benefits will be achieved.
