I learned a new expression, Hanlon's razor. [en.wikipedia.org]
Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. Sound like anyone we know??
Yeah, but for him, it's a toss-up whether it's malice or stupidity, since he's so full of both.
I feel that all narcissists are counting on people doing so, instead of seeing their deliberate malice for what it is. Passive-aggressives love it when people make this excuse for them as well. BTW, its possible to mask "evil and smart" in a multitude of ways; and of course, "malicious and stupid" is actually a real thing too, they are not mutually exclusive by any means.
Oooh, I love it. It's the perfect corollary to one of my favorite relationship mantras: Assume good will. Even works, sorta, with the tinted cretin you may have been thinking of. I mean, who can say it's not totally stupidity and not malice? (OK, I may have gone too far there. Sorry.)
Don't be sorry. Every time I hear genius and his name, I cringe. When I was being helicoptered off-island after my recent bike accident I was asked numerous questions. When they asked me to name the president I said "please don't make me say his name". I was told I would be OK (and I am). I heard this on the British series "New Tricks". I often get bits of wisdom from videos.
BTW, my daughter lives in Brea.