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About this quote

What does it mean?
Human stupidity is a powerful force that should not be underestimated.
In plain terms
Never think people are too smart to do foolish things.
What can you take from it?
Expect irrational behavior and plan accordingly.

Where it applies

  • project management
  • risk assessment
  • daily life

Putting it to work

  • plan for errors
  • avoid overconfidence
  • build redundancies

Questions to consider

  • When have you underestimated others?
  • How do you account for errors?

Another view

It dismisses systemic issues that may cause errors more than individual stupidity.

More from Robert A. Heinlein

  1. Never crowd youngsters about their private affairs - sex especially. When they are growing up, they are nerve ends all over, and resent (quite properly) any in…

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  2. 'No man is an island - ' Much as we may feel and act as Individuals, our race is - a single organism, always growing and branching - which must be pruned regul…

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  3. Never appeal to a man's 'better nature.' He may not have one. Invoking his self-interest gives you more leverage.

    Permalink to quote #109

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