Common Quote by Walter Bagehot
“What we opprobriously call stupidity, though not an enlivening quality in common society, is nature's favorite resource for preserving steadiness of conduct and consistency of opinion.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The English Constitution by Walter Bagehot, 1867
Stupidity is often used by society to maintain stability and uniformity, discouraging critical thinking.
In simple terms: Society uses stupidity to stay stable.
Key Takeaway
Question conformity, value critical thought.
Themes
conformity
stability
critical thinking
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- education reform
- policy making
- public discourse
- media literacy
Key Concepts
social control
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How does conformity limit progress?
- When is stability beneficial?
A Different Perspective
Stupidity can also spark innovation when challenged.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
