The online Merriam-Webster dictionary provides this as one definition for the word stupid: “Given to unintelligent decisions or acts: acting in an unintelligent or careless manner.” What is the divine perspective of the saying, “You can’t fix stupid?”

This is a saying that is rather judgmental in tone and that is befitting the human circumstances giving rise to the sentiment behind it. There are many people others find frustrating and this is to be expected in a world of diverse backgrounds, levels of preparation, as well as capabilities on display, and willingness to be cooperative and put the best foot forward and make an effort when someone else is expecting this to happen. So this saying encompasses many, many, situations stemming from frustration of having to cope with others who seem out of touch, detached, of lesser capability, or even dimwitted in some way and may represent a thorn in one's side in having to rely on such a compatriot to hold up their end of things, to complete some work others depend on, and must tolerate and suffer the inefficiencies that individual represents, hence the lament expressing the hopelessness of the situation. After all, intelligence is believed to be something one is born with and not cultivated along the way, or subject to significant gains simply by wanting it to happen. This is an unnecessarily pessimistic view. It is often a premature assessment of the circumstances when people are not willing to meet someone halfway, and their higher expectations being unmet, are dissatisfied, want to wash their hands of the other person, and may turn away in disgust and thus short-circuit the enterprise entirely through their presumption of its impossibility. Many times, a more loving touch would enlist further cooperation by giving the concerned party a hearing and would encourage an honest effort made to improve things in some way and do more to meet requirements or expectations. Being judgmental in tone will undermine the humanity of the target. Even if it is not meant for their ears, word might get back to them, as all too often happens. There are many people out and about who will make it their business to convey someone else's criticism, simply because it makes them feel superior to bandy that about, since it is not about them, and are insensitive to the hurt feelings that will result from someone learning this is being said about them. It becomes a particularly cruel gesture, and karmically, the damage from this faulty communication will trace back to the originator of the declaration, who meant it only for others to hear, out of frustration, never intending it to be said directly to the subject of the criticism. But the karmic penalty will nonetheless be real and will be enacted at some point in the future. This is the reason why all such judgments need to be held in abeyance. Constructive criticism can be helpful, judgments can be destructive when actively making fun of someone who may simply not understand the subject in hand, or have the experience yet to do it as well as some others, or is being simply evaluated falsely, based on a narrow category of knowledge, but who has much more to offer not perceived and appreciated. So the judgment will vary widely in how accurate the assessment is in the first place. This is the danger in sayings that are catchy and once heard, become learned and then utilized by the listener and will spread to others as well. This kind of semi-humorous or would-be humorous quip can cut someone to the quick without thinking and happens all too often with some of the common parlance that may just slip out in an unguarded moment through frustration or anger, but will register on the thoughts and feelings of the recipient being criticized and may leave a deep wound as a result. It is not your job to hurt others or wound them, as it leaves a hole that can't be filled, except by deep healing which most people will not be able to arrange for themselves, not understanding how one goes about doing it. To cause permanent injury simply through casting aspersions with a categorical assignment of blame for something is too big a penalty to inflict on anyone. People simply have no idea of how much harm they can do, criticizing those around them. We would rather see such sayings retired from the lexicon and other ways found to deal with people who pose a difficulty which includes an understanding of their needs, their situation, their background, and a fair attempt to arrive at a better understanding of what is needed, and find a way to obtain what is required without causing harm to anyone viewed as the weak link or faulty performer in some way. Even where people prove to be grossly incompetent and incapable of mastering the requirements of needed tasks, as for functional employment in an organization, there needs to be a thoughtful and humane way of letting them go without adding insult to the injury.