Being an idiot and how to avoid being an idiot

Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche — extract from ‘Wisdom Eccentrics’ by Ngak’chang Rinpoche in which Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche speaks of being an idiot (‘thom yor / འཐོམ་ཡོར་) and how to avoid being an idiot.

‘In answer to my question about compassion towards those who are aggressive and forcefully opinionated, Kyabjé Künzang Dorje Rinpoche said:

“Yah good . . . Have inner compassionate view but do not waste time on such ’thom yors — they will eat your time until they are bloated and fat with it!”
He looked me squarely in the eyes and decreed forcefully, but kindly

“Do not make—anything—in your life a matter of regret.
Regret means you have acted without awareness!
Keep your awareness and you will—never—have to regret anything.
Keep your awareness and you will not become a ’thom yor again.”