--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is, in short, no great idea that…" description: "\"There is, in short, no great idea that stupidity could not put to its own uses […] The truth by comparison, has only one appearance and only one path, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/robert-musil-2009_appearance_there-is-in-short-no-great-idea-that-stu_417945.jpg" --- # There is, in short, no great idea that stupidity could not… ![“There is, in short, no great idea that stupidity could not put to its own uses […] The truth by comparison, has only one appearance and only one path, and is always at a disadvantage.” quote by Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/robert-musil-2009_appearance_there-is-in-short-no-great-idea-that-stu_417945.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/robert-musil-2009_appearance_there-is-in-short-no-great-idea-that-stu_417945.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/robert-musil-2009_appearance_there-is-in-short-no-great-idea-that-stu_417945.jpg) > “There is, in short, no great idea that stupidity could not put to its own uses \[…\] The truth by comparison, has only one appearance and only one path, and is always at a disadvantage.” [Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-musil/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ideas are vulnerable; they can be twisted by foolishness, while truth remains singular and disadvantaged. **In simple terms:** Stupidity can misuse ideas; truth is simple but often ignored. Key Takeaway Guard ideas against misuse; seek clear truth. Themes truth misuse vulnerability perception logic Mood cautious critical reflective Type philosophical analytical warning When to use this quote - political rhetoric - media narratives - scientific discourse - personal decision making Key Concepts philosophy cognitive bias epistemology Questions to Reflect On - How can we protect valuable ideas from distortion? - What strategies reveal truth amid manipulation? A Different Perspective Truth may be obscured by bias and power, limiting its impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appearance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appearance/) [Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comparison/) [Disadvantages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disadvantages/) [Great idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-idea/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Path Disadvantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path-disadvantage-3712486/) [Stupidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupidity/) [Stupidity Uses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupidity-uses-3712485/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Comparison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-comparison-3712487/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Uses Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uses-truth-1465530/) ## Related quotes > [“A liar only uses the truth when they want their lies to sound truthful.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-david/a-liar-only-uses-the-truth-when-they-want-their-lies-to-sound-truthful/) [Al David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-david/) > [Every great idea exerts, on first appearing, a tyrannical influence: Hence, the advantages it brings are turned all too soon into disadvantages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/every-great-idea-exerts-on-first-appearing-a-tyrannical-influence/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Stupidity is active in every direction, and can dress up in all the clothes of truth. 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Yet when considering a non-threatening system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-musil/that-the-will-of-the-people-can-be-established-by-voting-for/) [Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-musil/) > [“Ein Mann, der die Wahrheit will, wird Gelehrter; ein Mann, der seine Subjektivität spielen lassen will, wird vielleicht Schriftsteller; was aber soll ein Mann…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-musil/ein-mann-der-die-wahrheit-will-wird-gelehrter-ein-mann-der-seine/) [Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-musil/) > [“For a long time now a hint of aversion had lain on everything he did and experienced, a shadow of impotence and loneliness, an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-musil/for-a-long-time-now-a-hint-of-aversion-had-lain-on-everything-he-did/) [Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-musil/) > [“All the knowledge that has led our species from wearing animal skins to people flying, complete with proofs, would fill a handful of reference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-musil/all-the-knowledge-that-has-led-our-species-from-wearing-animal-skins/) [Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-musil/) > [I also believe that few people remain completely untouched by the thought that instead of the life they lead there might also be another,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-musil/i-also-believe-that-few-people-remain-completely-untouched-by-the/) [Robert Musil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-musil/) > [“His appearance gives no clue to what his profession might be, and yet he doesn't look like a man without a profession either. 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