On Statistics: Statistics and Truth

“A statistical estimate may be good or bad, accurate or the reverse; but in almost all cases it is likely to be more accurate than a casual observer’s impression, and the nature of things can only be disproved by statistical methods.” (Sir Arthur L Bowley, “Elements of Statistics”, 1901)

“The statistics themselves prove nothing; nor are they at any time a substitute for logical thinking. There are […] many simple but not always obvious snags in the data to contend with. Variations in even the simplest of figures may conceal a compound of influences which have to be taken into account before any conclusions are drawn from the data.” (Alfred R Ilersic, “Statistics”, 1959)

“[…] in the statistical world you can multiply ignorance by a constant and get truth.” (Raymond F Jones, “The Non-Statistical Man”, 1964)

“There are two kinds of statistics, the kind you look up and the kind you make up.” (Rex Todhunter Stout, “Death of a Doxy”, 1966)

“When we can’t prove our point through the use of sound reasoning, we fall back upon statistical ‘mumbo jumbo’ to confuse and demoralize our opponents. (Audrey Haber & Richard P. Runyon, “General Statistics”, 1973)

“No matter how much reverence is paid to anything purporting to be ‘statistics’, the term has no meaning unless the source, relevance, and truth are all checked.” (Tom Burnam, “The Dictionary of Misinformation”, 1975)

“Do not trust any statistics you did not fake yourself.” (Winston Churchill)

“I can prove anything by statistics except the truth.” (George Canning)

“In earlier times, they had no statistics, and so they had to fall back on lies.” (Stephen Leacock)

“it is easy to lie with statistics, but easier to lie without them” (Frederick Mosteller)