It seems to be a completely ridiculous question:

A smart person says smart things and does smart things, but a fool does both stupidly.

This “answer” does not explain anything in reality.

An intelligent person also does stupid things and says stupid things.

So it is necessary to judge by the quantitative parameter? Does a fool do more stupid things, but a smart one does less?

Then we lead ourselves into a maze of purely quantitative speculation and assumptions..

First, the initial estimate ITSELF IS NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE. It is necessary to judge certain individuals not by any label: STUPID-SMART, but by specific thoughts and actions.

There are clever or stupid thoughts and actions. This statement brings us back to a purely quantitative assessment of what has just been rejected.

A contradiction!

There is no contradiction, because it is necessary to answer the most important question:

WHY FOOLS USUALLY THINK STUPIDLY AND WHY SMART PEOPLE USUALLY THINK SMART.

I’ll start with the smart ones. An INTELLIGENT PERSON, when making mistakes, realizes his mistake (he is HONEST WITH HIMSELF!) and tries to change his thinking in such a way that he does not make THIS mistake anymore.

Thus, we introduce the concept of MOTIVATION: Smart thinking is motivated by an honest critical attitude in one’s thoughts and actions and an effort to AVOID MISTAKES in both.

A “fool” considers any of his actions to be a priori true and infallible, a kind of perfection, and therefore produces stupidities, one after another, undoubtedly considering them to be exemplary and appropriate to the situation. And if someone from the outside dares to poke a fool into his own stupidity, the mechanism of protecting his “pride and self–reliance” immediately triggers – the fool goes berserk from any, even the most benevolent remark, pointing out to him the stupidity and inadequacy of his thoughts or actions. It pisses him off. This hurts his self-reliance and his belief in his infallibility, even if it is not apparent.

One of the most difficult problems in dealing with fools is their categorical requirement to show them respect as completely reasonable individuals. What looks fair and natural!

But it only LOOKS LIKE IT!

For the true meaning of this REQUIREMENT is to show all respect, approval, and even admiration FOR THEIR MOST STUPID and RIDICULOUS thoughts and actions!

Due to his total lack of ability to critically evaluate HIS THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS, he finds it OFFENSIVE to his EGO to make any friendly remarks about the stupidity of his thoughts and actions. This is also why he is so extraordinarily inventive in nonsense – he constantly wants to drown out even the faint whisper of self-criticism, which, as he feels, is unpleasant to him and humiliates his imaginary abilities for sound and honest thinking and actions.

Summary:

So, the difference between a person who does smart things and expresses smart thoughts and a fool is not so much in quantitative terms, but in motivation.

An intelligent person tries to AVOID stupidity, BECAUSE he IS AWARE that he is doing stupid things or giving rise to stupid thoughts, and a fool protects, cherishes and nurtures his stupidity, NOT even WANTING to subject it to an honest and impartial analysis.

An intelligent person may have an inferiority complex, but he will try to enclose him within certain boundaries, to calm his roar!

The fool’s inferiority complex IS NOT BURDENED WITH ANY BOUNDARIES. That’s why a fool demands constant “respect” for himself, OR RATHER, FOR HIS STUPIDITIES, which a smart person would never think of doing!

If I’m wrong, let my seniors correct me!

3 II 2025