Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation. Stupidity is not a sin, the victim can't help being stupid. But stupidity is the only universal capital crime; the sentence is death, there is no appeal, and execution is carried out automatically and without pity.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Stupidity is unavoidable and not sinful, but it leads to inevitable negative consequences regardless of external fixes.
- In plain terms
- You can't fix stupidity with money or laws, and it causes serious harm.
- What can you take from it?
- Stupidity has severe unavoidable consequences.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is stupidity a choice or a condition?
- How do we mitigate its effects?
Another view
Calling stupidity a capital crime is hyperbolic and ignores systemic factors.
More from Robert A. Heinlein
Small change can often be found under seat cushions.
Permalink to quote #125 Taxes are not levied for the benefit of the taxed.
Permalink to quote #127 Sin lies only in hurting others unnecessarily. All other 'sins' are invented nonsense.
Permalink to quote #124
Related quotes
Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it.
John Paul II (Pope)John Paul II (Pope) quote #27 Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein quote #253 The liar's punishment is, not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe any one else.
George Bernard ShawGeorge Bernard Shaw quote #1