“how extremely stupid not to have thought of that”
“[He was aware] of the value of the word of praise dropped at exactly the right moment; and he would have thought himself extremely stupid to withhold what cost him so little and was productive of such desirable results.”
“And then he thought: Is this how idiots rationalize their stupidity to themselves?”
“Why are you helping me? (Fury)I don’t know. Apparently I’m having a moment of extreme stupidity. (Angelia)”
“No thought is a stupid thought, those who are thoughtless are thought of as stupid.”
“I'm not stupid, stupid. Leave this whole thing in my extremely capable and well-manicured hands. I'll call you later with an update. Bye!”