"But law is no explanation of anything; law is simply a generalization, a category of facts. Law is neither a cause, nor a reason, nor a power, nor a coercive force. It is nothing but a general formula, a statistical table." (Florence Nightingale, "Suggestions for Thought", 1860)
"Newton's law is nothing but the statistics of gravitation, it has no power whatever. Let us get rid of the idea of power from law altogether. Call law tabulation of facts, expression of facts, or what you will; anything rather than suppose that it either explains or compels."
"All do statistics, some on paper, some by memory. Those who fail take care to give no statistics. Among those who succeed or think they have succeeded are some of small or accidental experience." (Florence Nightingale)
"All sciences of observation depend upon statistical methods;
without these [they] are blind empiricism. Make your facts comparable before
deducing causes."
"Only by consulting the past can the statesman judge for the
future, recognize the elements necessary to realize plans, appreciate what needs
reform."
"Statistics are necessary to appreciate the effects of law."
"To understand God's thoughts we must study statistics, for these are the measure of His purpose." (Florence Nightingale) [attributed]
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