If you’re not willing to risk looking stupid, or even just wrong, then you are likely to eventually become stupid, or often wrong.
If you don’t put your hand up in class and ask your question, or possibly give the wrong answer, you won’t learn as much. If you don’t learn as much you run with a less well-informed crowd. Then you might slowly stop questioning, discussing, debating or considering ideas.
Your mental agility will dull and you might retreat from society a little. Then a little more. Now you definitely don’t want to look stupid because you have enough challenges in your life. You don’t need to reduce your confidence, self esteem or power group social standing unnecessarily.
Be willing to look stupid. It’s a much smarter path to follow.