As someone wiser than me probably once said — we all love stories where someone ends up looking like a fool. And who am I to deny us all that pleasure?

Asking for advice is deeply human, isn’t it? We start seeking others’ opinions pretty early in life, because we feel the need for support. On the other hand, advice is one of those things people give you whether you ask for it or not. Everyone’s an expert — especially when it comes to your life, your garden, or your choice of low-carb snacks.

Over the years, I’ve been showered with a flood of unsolicited wisdom. Most of it is, to put it scientifically, pure nonsense. People are crazy — often irrational. Maybe not all, but most. Be careful. A wise warning — no doubt about it.

Amidst this cacophony of well-meaning, though oddly intentional madness, one piece of advice has stood the test of time. I don’t remember who gave it to me, but it was in the late ’90s — back when talking to friends meant standing face to face in front of your house.

The advice was simple, elegant, and delivered with solemnity.

Don’t be a dumbass.

That’s it. The peak of wisdom I’ve ever received. No philosophy. No cryptic parables. Just three words — a user manual for life.

And you know what? Since then, I’ve done my best to stick to it. The results? Well, mixed.

So there you have it. The universal metric. It hasn’t stopped me from doing dumb things, but now and then, it’s given me that one crucial moment of hesitation.

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