Quotes about stupidity
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“Talk, talk, talk: the utter and heartbreaking stupidity of words.”

William Faulkner book Mosquitoes

Source: Mosquitoes

Heartbreaking

“Damn, I miss the internet. You could always find people doing stupid stuff on the internet.”

Brandon Sanderson (1975) American fantasy writer

Source: Calamity

People

“You can make your superhero a psychopath, you can draw gut-splattering violence, and you can call it a "graphic novel," but comic books are still incredibly stupid.”

Bill Watterson (1958) American comic artist

Books, Drawing

“The thing about real life is, when you do something stupid, it normally costs you.”

Darren Shan book Cirque du Freak

Source: A Living Nightmare

Life

“You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity.”

Robert A. Heinlein book The Green Hills of Earth

Logic of Empire (p. 335); this is one of the earliest known variants of an idea which has become known as Hanlon's razor.
Short fiction, The Past Through Tomorrow (1967)
Source: The Green Hills of Earth

“I see that there will be no end to imperfection, or to doing things the wrong way. Even if you grow up, no matter how hard you scrub, whatever you do, there will always be some other stain or spot on your face or stupid act, somebody frowning.”

Margaret Atwood book Cat's Eye

Source: Cat's Eye

Way

“It is dangerous to be sincere unless you are also stupid.”

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish playwright

Sincerity

“If I play a stupid girl and ask a stupid question, I've got to follow it through, what am I supposed to do, look intelligent?”

Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) American actress, model, and singer

Girl, Intelligence, Question

“I’m not stupid, nor a liar,” I said, “and if I can’t do any good, I can at least do something”

Naomi Novik book Uprooted

Source: Uprooted

“Why do you have to be the same as the others?… Most of them are stupid.”

Ken Follett book Winter of the World

Source: Winter of the World

“Fear is stupid, so are regrets.”

Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) American actress, model, and singer

Source: Marilyn Monroe Quotes vol 1

Fear

“Tell me he’s not talking to Brandon,” Claire said.
“Um… Ok. He’s not talking to Brandon.”
“You’re lying.”
“Yeah. He’s talking to Brandon. Look, let Shane do his thing, okay? He’s not as stupid as he looks, mostly.”

Rachel Caine book Glass Houses

Source: Glass Houses

Lying

“Listen to me, goblin. You're stupid, let's accept that and move on.”

Eoin Colfer (1965) Irish author of children's books

Source: The Eternity Code

“And this shows that sometimes people want to be stupid and they do not want to know the truth.”

Mark Haddon book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Source: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

People, Truth

“Stupid is not illegal.”

Dave Ramsey (1960) American financial advisor

“The world goes on, stupid and brutal, but I do not. Can't you see? I do not.”

Jennifer Donnelly book Revolution

Variant: It goes on, this world, stupid and brutal.
But I do not. do not.
Source: Revolution

World

“Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing after all.”

Jane Austen (1775–1817) English novelist

Men

“A stupid person can make only certain, limited types of errors; the mistakes open to a clever fellow are far broader.”

Steven Brust book Iorich

Source: Iorich (2010), p. 172  <br class="br">Context: A stupid person can make only certain, limited types of errors; the mistakes open to a clever fellow are far broader. But to the one who knows how smart he is compared to everyone else, the possibilities for true idiocy are boundless.

Error, Personality

“Will future ages believe that such stupid bigotry ever existed!”

Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet

Age, Future

“Sometimes it isn't easy to be sane, smart, and responsible. Sometimes it sucks. Sucks wang. Camel wang. But that doesn't turn wrong into right or stupid into smart.”

Jim Butcher book Cold Days

Source: Cold Days

“I could have quite literally snogged until the cows came home. And when they came home I would have shouted, "WHAT HAVE YOU COWS COME HOME FOR? CAN'T YOU SEE I'M SNOGGING, YOU STUPID HERBIVORES???”

Louise Rennison (1951–2016) British writer

Source: On the Bright Side, I'm Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God

Home

“I can’t believe I was ever stupid enough to trust Noir. Come to the dark side. We have cookies. (Zeth)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Dream Warrior

“For a genius thief you really are a stupid girl aren't you?”

Ally Carter (1974) American writer

Source: Uncommon Criminals

Girl

“Ender didn't like fighting. He didn't like Peter's kind, the strong against the weak, and he didn't like his own kind either, the smart against the stupid.”

Orson Scott Card book Ender's Game

Source: Ender's Game

Strong, Fight

“In the minds of great managers, consistent poor performance is not primarily a matter of weakness, stupidity, disobedience, or disrespect. It is a matter of miscasting.”

Marcus Buckingham (1966) British writer

“I know
it’s stupid to not own a gun yet have

so many triggers, but in some other world
gigantic seashells hold humans

to their ears and listen to the echo
of machines.”

Jeffrey McDaniel (1967) American writer

World

“Stupid dreams. Even the good ones are bad, because they remind you how poorly reality measures up.”

Neal Shusterman book Unwind

Source: Unwind

Dreams, Reality

“Our real discoveries come from chaos, from going to the place that looks wrong and stupid and foolish.”

Chuck Palahniuk book Invisible Monsters

Source: Invisible Monsters

“The true axis of evil in America is the brilliance of our marketing combined with the stupidity of our people.”

Bill Maher (1956) American stand-up comedian

People, Evil

“I ain't grouchy,” Teft snapped. “I just have a low threshold for stupidity.”

Brandon Sanderson book Words of Radiance

Source: Words of Radiance

“Unknowing ignorance is preferable to informed stupidity.”

Brandon Sanderson book Warbreaker

Source: Warbreaker

“Underground. Which I hate. Like mines and tunnels and 13. Underground, where I dread dying, which is stupid because even if I die aboveground, the next thing they'll do is bury me underground anyway.”

Suzanne Collins book Mockingjay

Source: Mockingjay

Hate

“And then he thought: Is this how idiots rationalize their stupidity to themselves?”

Orson Scott Card book Ender's Shadow

Source: Ender's Shadow

“And now I wish I hadn’t been civil, because he says he shall not despair! He is as stupid as Endymion!”
“No, no!” said Alverstoke soothingly. “Nobody could be as stupid as Endymion!”

Georgette Heyer book Frederica

Source: Frederica

Despair

“She wondered if it was her stupid mother, the goddess of love, messing with her thoughts. If Piper started getting urges to read fashion magazines, she was going to have to find Aphrodite and smack her.”

Rick Riordan book The Lost Hero

Source: The Lost Hero

Love, Fashion, Reading

“Anybody can be charming if they don't mind faking it, saying all the stupid, obvious, nauseating things that a conscience keeps most people from saying. Happily, I don't have a conscience. I say them.”

Jeff Lindsay book Darkly Dreaming Dexter

Source: Darkly Dreaming Dexter

People

“Violence is stupid. Even as a last resort, it only ever begets more of the same.”

Brian K. Vaughan (1976) American screenwriter, comic book creator

Source: Saga, Vol. 1

“I thought you were dead.
Stupid. As if I'd die without taking you with me.”

Patricia Briggs book Silver Borne

Source: Silver Borne

Dead

“People--stupid when they lived; potentially stupid when they died.”

Rob Thurman (1950) American writer

Source: Roadkill

People

“Thank you for nothing, you stupid reptile.”

Cressida Cowell book How to Train Your Dragon

Source: How to Train Your Dragon

“It's simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and say the opposite.”

Sam Levenson (1911–1980) American journalist

Thinking

“I have many regrets, and I'm sure everyone does. The stupid things you do, you regret if you have any sense, and if you don't regret them, maybe you're stupid.”

Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) film, stage, and television actress

Sense

“She avoids deep thought like an empty restaurant, not out of stupidity, but a canny resolve to be happy.”

Alex Shakar (1968) American writer

Source: Luminarium

Happiness, Deep

“The wise and good are outnumbered a thousand to one by the brutal and stupid.”

Douglas Preston book The Cabinet of Curiosities

Source: The Cabinet of Curiosities

“This won't stop her from getting elected," Shane said. "Stupider people get elected all the time. It's America. We love the sleazy. And the crazy." "I would like to think better of us," Claire said, "but yeah. You're right.”

Rachel Caine (1962) American writer

Source: Bitter Blood

Love, People, Thinking, Time

“Don't cater to stupidity.”

Christine Feehan book Dark Possession

Source: Dark Possession

“Inhumanity is the keynote of stupidity in power.”

Alexander Berkman book Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist

Source: Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist

“The wickedness of men is that their power breeds stupidity and blindness.”

Gregory Maguire book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Source: Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

Men

“Wow. The guy can make me feel stupid even when he's telling me I don't have to let him make me feel stupid.”

Kelley Armstrong book The Summoning

Source: The Summoning

Guy, Feeling

“Ordinarily he is insane, but he has lucid moments when he is only stupid.”

Heinrich Heine (1797–1856) German poet, journalist, essayist, and literary critic

Of Savoye, appointed ambassador to Frankfurt by Lamartine (1848); as quoted in Insults : A Practical Anthology of Scathing Remarks and Acid Portraits (1941) by Max John Herzberg, p. 74

“To be stupid, selfish, and have good health are three requirements for happiness, though if stupidity is lacking, all is lost.”

Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880) French writer (1821–1880)

13 August 1846
Correspondence, Letters to Madame Louise Colet

Happiness, Health, Selfishness, Happy

“I tried to tell you. You said you didn't care, remember?"
A muscle ticked below his eye. "You should have told me anyway."
"While you had barbells within your reach? Please. I'm Disease, not Stupid.”

Gena Showalter (1975) American writer

Source: The Darkest Night

Disease

“Above all, if what you've done is stupid, but it works, it ain't stupid.”

Robert Fulghum (1937) American writer

Source: Maybe, Maybe Not

“You don't have to do this."
"I think I do," Julian said. "I remember making a vow to that affect."
"Whither thou goest, i will go, whatever stupid thing you do, i shall do also'." Emma said. "Was that the vow?”

Cassandra Clare book Lady Midnight

Source: Lady Midnight

Thinking

“It's not enough to believe! Don't you see that, you stupid girl? You could spend your whole life hoping and believing! If a love affair is one-sided, then it's only ever a question, never an answer. You can't live your life waiting for an answer.”

Sophie Kinsella book Twenties Girl

Source: Twenties Girl

Love, Life, Hope, Girl

“With so much chaos, someone will do something stupid. And when they do, things will turn nasty”

Alan Moore V for Vendetta

Source: V for Vendetta

“It’s fairly standard. Also, I’m fourteen. Also, your
beard’s stupid.”
“Isn’t this fun?” Skulduggery said brightly. “The three of us
getting along so well.”

Derek Landy (1974) Irish children's writer

Source: The Faceless Ones

“I was thinking that if what distinguishes us as humans is our stupidity, what may redeem us is our grace.”

Earl Lovelace (1935) Trinidad and Tobago writer

Thinking

“I love stupid plans.”

Megan Whalen Turner The Queen of Attolia

Source: The Queen of Attolia

Love

“Most people don't believe something can happen until it already has. That's not stupidity or weakness, that's just human nature.”

Max Brooks book World War Z

Source: World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

People, Nature

“Stupid is as stupid looks.”

Winston Groom book Gump and Co.

Source: Gump and Co.

“This is just my way of pointing out that we people who leap without looking are not stupid. We know damn well we might be headed for a fall. But we also know that, sometimes, it's the only way out.”

Jodi Picoult book Lone Wolf

Source: Lone Wolf

People, Way

“We're the same! Even Sonya says we are.
We've always been the same, and we're
both acting the same stupid way now! We
hold ourselves to higher standards than
everyone else.”

Richelle Mead book Last Sacrifice

Source: Last Sacrifice

Way

“I am no longer afraid of getting old. Indeed I can't believe I ever said anything so stupid. So childish. So offensive and.
But mainly, so very, very stupid. I desperately want to grow old.”

Elizabeth Wein book Code Name Verity

Source: Code Name Verity

“Expiring for love is beautiful but stupid.”

Jenny Holzer (1950) American conceptual artist

Love, Beauty

“Now we're in that sweet period where everyone agrees that our recent horrors should never be repeated. But collective thinking is usually short-lived. We're fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction.”

Suzanne Collins book Mockingjay

Katniss and Plutarch Heavensbee (p. 379)
Source: The Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay (2010)
Context: “Are you preparing for another war, Plutarch?” I ask.
“Oh, not now. Now we’re in that sweet period where everyone agrees that our recent horrors should never be repeated,” he says. “But collective thinking is usually short-lived. We’re fickle, stupid beings with a great gift for self-destruction. Although who knows? Maybe this will be it, Katniss.”
“What?” I ask.
“The time it sticks. Maybe we are witnessing the evolution of the human race. Think about that.“

Thinking, Memory

“I have found a way to beat myself
I win by losing, something like that
I'm told that I'm stupid
So ok, I'll be stupid
If I can't register the pain
Then it's not there
I'm not so stupid after all
I'll show them”

Henry Rollins (1961) American singer-songwriter

Pain, Way

“You did what you did out of love. I can't be mad at you over that. It was stupid, but that's how love is. Do you have any idea what I'd do for you? To keep you safe?”

Richelle Mead book Spirit Bound

Source: Spirit Bound

Love, Idea, Madness

“Fang! Come Back!" I started pulling his hair. Shaking his head and shoulders. Hard. "Wake up! Snap out of it! You stupid jerk! I am going to kill you if you die on me!”

James Patterson (1947) American author

Source: Fang

Jerk

“The whole dream of democracy is to raise the proletarian to the level of bourgeois stupidity.”

Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880) French writer (1821–1880)

1871
Correspondence, Letters to George Sand

Dreams, Democracy

“Picture anybody growing up so stupid he didn't know that hope is just another phase you'll grow out of.”

Chuck Palahniuk book Choke

Source: Choke

Hope

“All you have to do, I tell myself, is keep your mouth shut and look stupid. It shouldn't be that hard.”

Margaret Atwood book The Handmaid's Tale

Source: The Handmaid's Tale

“I think the problem with people like this is that they are so stupid that they have no idea how stupid they are.”

John Cleese (1939) actor from England

People, Idea, Problem, Thinking

“But I don't feel sad about it. Because Mother is dead. And because Mr. Shears isn't around anymore. So I would be feeling sad about something that isn't real and doesn't exist. And that would be stupid.”

Mark Haddon book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Source: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Sadness, Feeling, Dead

“‎All my stupid little thoughts beget stupid little thoughts, rampantly speculating every possible outcome of every possible situation until they're all done to death and none of them could ever be true.”

Bryan Lee O'Malley book Lost at Sea

Source: Lost at Sea

Death

“Fear and realisation of ignorance, strong medicines against stupid pride.”

Garth Nix book Abhorsen

Source: Sabriel

Fear, Strong

“Better stupid and safe that smart and dead.”

Cate Tiernan (1961) American novelist

Source: Sweep: Volume 1

Dead

“Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence”

Christopher Hitchens Letters to a Young Contrarian

Source: 2000s, 2001, Letters to a Young Contrarian (2001)
Context: Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the 'transcendent' and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you.

Silence, Time