In last week’s Takimag, the astute doctor examines stupidity and evil from Mao to Nyerere all the way to Starmer in our mediocre, degraded century.

Stupidity is like the eye: It does not see itself. It is therefore one of those qualities that is easier to observe in others than in oneself. In addition, it gives us pleasure to do so, for it reassures us of our own wisdom and superiority.