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About this quote

What does it mean?
Over-reliance on statistics reduces complexity to rigid numbers, losing life.
In plain terms
Statistics turn vibrant reality into cold, lifeless numbers.
What can you take from it?
Don't let numbers overshadow human reality.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • academic research
  • business analysis

Putting it to work

  • contextualize data
  • balance metrics with observation
  • question pure quantification

Questions to consider

  • Where do statistics fail to capture truth?
  • How can we use data without losing sight of people?

Another view

Statistics are essential for objective analysis in many fields.

More from Hilaire Belloc

  1. All men have an instinct for conflict: at least, all healthy men.

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  2. The moment a man talks to his fellows he begins to lie.

    Permalink to quote #14
  3. Write as the wind blows and command all words like an army!

    Permalink to quote #11

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