"I divide my officers into four groups. There are clever, diligent, stupid, and lazy officers. Usually two characteristics are combined. Some are clever and diligent -- their place is the General Staff. The next lot are stupid and lazy -- they make up 90 percent of every army and are suited to routine duties. Anyone who is both clever and lazy is qualified for the highest leadership duties, because he possesses the intellectual clarity and the composure necessary for difficult decisions. One must beware of anyone who is stupid and diligent -- he must not be entrusted with any responsibility because he will always cause only mischief."
My two bob's worth is that it can be difficult to decide who is stupid and who is clever - perhaps it depends on context?
The story was part of a review of a new book - "Selfish, Scared and Stupid", apparently with discussion about how to work within the bounds of human nature, not against it. Perhaps including ideas along the lines of Daniel Kahneman's Thinking - Fast and Slow".
http://theimpossibleinstitute.com/selfish-scared-and-stupid/
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