Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous. | |
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer | |
From his book: “Letters and Papers from Prison“ | |
[I’m not saying one side has more stupid voters / supporters than the other. I am saying one side is prouder of being less educated, less informed and more stupid than the other. And they voted for the candidate (#IncompetentDonald) who said he loves the poorly educated (“because we’re the smartest”). Hence we have the Capitol riot of 6 January 2021. — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | Maybe More Than A Very Few |
2019 | Missing Failure |
2018 | Praise God |
2017 | Necessary Gaps |
2016 | Nor My Dogs |
2015 | Say What? |
I’m A Dog, Too! | |
Beginnings | |
2014 | Astonishing Choices |
2013 | Three Hard Tasks |
2012 | The Only Remains |
2011 | Personal Capability |
What Price Failure? | |
Both Of W’s Elections | |
Tea (Baggers) Anyone? | |
Posts Tagged ‘Stupidity’
So How Should We Persuade The Dangerous?
Posted in Education, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged #IncompetentDonald, 6 January 2021, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Education, Letters And Papers From Prison, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Stupidity, Trumpism on February 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Like #45 And Many Of His Supporters
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged #IncompetentDonald, Edith Sitwell, Patience, Philosophy, Politics, Pride, Quotes, Stupidity on February 28, 2020| 2 Comments »
I am patient with stupidity but not with those who are proud of it. | |
– Edith Sitwell | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | Creative Prayer Time |
ADF: Day 9:5 | |
2018 | #DumbDonald: Start With Hearing What You Don’t Want Said |
2017 | The Press Is NOT The Enemy |
2016 | It Ain’t Easy |
(Leap Year 29th) | Or Try To, Anyway… |
(Leap Year 29th) | Circles Within Circles |
2015 | A Series Of Funerals |
2014 | And Your Point Is? |
2013 | Infinitely Care |
2012 | In My Room |
(Leap Year 29th) | Stingray – TV Series Review (This is my most popular post since starting my blog – hands down! It still draws hits almost every week. The hits seem to come mostly from Central Europe. I guess the show must be in syndication there. // 2020 update: While this is still my all-time, most popular post, it is no longer being viewed every week – or even month. I guess the show is no longer in syndication.) |
(Leap Year 29th) | A Single Thread |
2011 | Lyrical Mixture |
Teaching = Translating | |
Senate Perfidy
Posted in History, Leadership, Other Blogs, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Albert Einstein, Fear, Great Forces, Greed, History, https://aponderingmind.org, Lamar Alexander, Leadership Failure, Other Blogs, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Stupidity, U.S. Sentate on February 2, 2020| 3 Comments »
Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed. | |
— Albert Einstein | |
[Friday’s vote in the U.S. Senate… I’ve been reading some of the press releases from the Republican Senators who voted to block all new testimony and evidence in the impeachment trial of President Trump: We don’t need anymore new evidence because the House Managers have proven the President is guilty and we don’t want the American public to hear anymore evidence in “our” (Republican controlled) chamber. We’ve closed the book on this case, so let’s get on with voting to dismiss the impeachment because we Republicans don’t care that he’s guilty of violating his oath of Office by abusing his power. (paraphrasing Tennessee Republican Senator Lamar Alexander) What Alexander didn’t say was: “I’m not even willing to discuss the President’s guilt in obstructing Congress ’cause I just said he was guilty and why should a guilty Republican President have to provide evidence (documents or witnesses) about his own guilt just because a Democratic controlled House of Representatives wants us to fulfill our Constitution mandated oversight responsibilities.” | |
The above quote (from Einstein) was found at one of the blogs I follow: https://aponderingmind.org | |
The specific link is: https://aponderingmind.org/2020/01/01/three-great-forces-rule-the-world-stupidity-fear-and-greed-albert-einstein/ | |
Please visit the site if you have a spare moment… — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | Contributing To Congress |
Yellow Signs Of Spring | |
2018 | But Take Heart |
Poetic Marker | |
2017 | The Few, The Many, The Most |
2016 | To My Brother |
2015 | For Junior |
A Roman Rome | |
2014 | Hmmm |
2013 | What’s A Motto With You? |
2012 | Worthy Companions |
2011 | Bourne Again |
Which Ten Are You In? | |
Except Willful Ignorance And Prideful Stupidity
Posted in Politics, Quotes, tagged Danger, Ignorance, Martin Luther King Jr, MLK Day, Politics, Quotes, Stupidity on January 21, 2019| 2 Comments »
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. | |
— Martin Luther King, Jr. | |
[On this national holiday (MLK, Jr Day), let us (as a nation) strive to go forward being less dangerous… — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2018 | More Executive Time For #DumbDonald |
2017 | Watched The Inauguration |
Two Geniuses | |
2016 | Come Dance And Laugh With Me |
2015 | Looks Good To Me |
2014 | Desire For The Sea |
2013 | The Fierce Urgency Of NOW |
Happy Inauguration Day! | |
2012 | One Path |
Sorrow And Joy | |
The Seven Year View | |
2011 | Emergent Practicality |
Proof Sits In The Oval Office
Posted in Politics, Quotes, tagged #DumbDonald, Napoléon Bonaparte, Politics, Quotes, Stupidity on September 29, 2017| Leave a Comment »
In politics, stupidity is not a handicap. | |
― Napoléon Bonaparte | |
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On This Day In: | |
2016 | Tragic Determinism |
2015 | Maybe It Should Be Clearer |
2014 | Make It Your Strength |
2013 | Four Score |
2012 | The Ruler |
2011 | Forever |
2010 | Just Cuz |
How Do You Mend A Broken Heart? | |
It’s Alive!! (3rd Pair Shoe Review) | |
Sincerely Yours
Posted in My Journal, Quotes, tagged Charles Kettering, Education, My Journal, Quotes, Sincerity, Stupidity on January 22, 2017| Leave a Comment »
My definition of an educated man is the fellow who knows the right thing to do at the right time it has to be done… You can be sincere and still be stupid. | |
— Charles Kettering | |
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On This Day In: | |
2016 | Only Good To Say |
2015 | A Series Of Temporary Conditions |
2014 | Gaps |
2013 | Duty |
2012 | Cost Not Price |
Superheroes | |
2011 | The Simple Normalcy Of Everyday Life – “Squirrel!” |
Not Ought
Posted in Leadership, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged André Maurois, Human Affairs, Leadership, Philosophy, Quotes, Stupidity on October 2, 2013| Leave a Comment »
Stupidity is a factor to be reckoned with in human affairs. The true leader always expects to encounter it, and prepares to endure it patiently so long as it is normal stupidity. He knows that his ideas will be distorted, his orders carelessly executed; and that there will be jealousy among his assistants. He takes these inevitable phenomena into account, and instead of attempting to find men without faults, who are non-existent, he tries to make use of the best men at his disposal – as they are, and not as they ought to be. | |
— André Maurois | |
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On This Day In: | |
2012 | If You Want To, If You Have Something To Offer |
2011 | I See Lots Of Fools |
2010 | Orange Inside!! |
And The Band Played On… | |
Happy New Year!! |