“Quote Unquote”
March 3, 2017 § Leave a comment
“It is better to be poor and walk in integrity than to be stupid and speak lies.” – Proverbs 19:1
“Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” – Robert J. Hanlon
“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 the use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves in human beings a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reason falls 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
The Better Chancery Practice Blog 
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