Babel

by R.F. Kuang

‘The Greek word idiótes can mean a fool, as our idiot implies. But it also carries the definition of one who is private, unengaged with worldly affairs – his idiocy is derived not from lack of natural faculties, but from ignorance and lack of education. When we translate idiótes to idiot, it has the effect of removing knowledge.

The scholar hesitated a moment, looked her up and down, then threw a punch. But he hit like he only knew about the action in theory,