Really intelligent people tend to make this really stupid mistake.
This is Otto von Bismarck, former Chancellor of Germany.
Despite almost universal acclaim for his diplomacy, even he made a really stupid mistake.
Between 1871 and 1878, Bismarck’s goal was to subordinate the Catholic Church to the newly unified German Empire, fearing that Catholics (who looked to the Pope in Rome) were a "threat" to national unity. This time became known as the "Kulturkampf" (Cultural Struggle).
By 1878, Bismarck realized the Kulturkampf was failing. Instead of breaking the Catholic Church, the persecution had unified Catholics and strengthened the Zentrum (Center) Party. Needing Catholic support to fight his new political enemy—the Socialists—Bismarck began a slow "retreat" from these policies, eventually repealing or modifying most of the laws by 1887.
The lesson: Don't be like Otto. Stay in your lane. Hire help.
Otto von Bismarck, despite his diplomatic brilliance, misjudged his attempt to weaken the Catholic Church during the Kulturkampf (1871–1878). Instead of undermining Catholic influence, his policies unified Catholics and strengthened their political party. Realizing the failure, Bismarck reversed course to gain Catholic support against Socialists, rolling back most measures by 1887.
Because of the Kulturkampf, my uncle was a Catholic, and his sister, my aunt, was a Protestant. With mixed marriages, the boys followed the father's religion, while the girls followed that of their mother.