The quote from Iain M. Banks' book "Consider Phlebas" suggests that to understand foolishness, one must first embrace it to some degree. This idea implies that we often judge intelligence and decision-making without acknowledging the complexity of human behavior—and that connecting with the mentality of those who act foolishly can provide insights into their perspective.

Furthermore, this perspective can serve as a cautionary reminder. If we allow ourselves to empathize too much with illogical thinking, we risk adopting that mindset ourselves. It's essential to balance empathy with critical thinking to maintain our own clarity while trying to understand the less rational aspects of human nature.