the smart person accepts. the idiot insists.

This is the secret of success for collaborative enterprise. Take whatever is thrown at you and build upon it, rather than “No … but.”
 “The idiot is bound by his pride.” It always has to be his way.
This is also true of the person who is deceptive or doing things wrong: he always tries to justify himself. A person who is bright in regard to his spiritual life is humble. He accepts what others tell him—criticism, ideas—and he works with them.

from Michael Lewis, Vanity fair...
long but read