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About this quote

What does it mean?
Statistics are often manipulated or misused to support falsehoods like outright lies.
In plain terms
Numbers can be twisted to lie just as badly as words can.
What can you take from it?
Question data that seems too convenient or misleading.

Where it applies

  • reading news
  • evaluating arguments
  • interpreting reports

Putting it to work

  • verify data sources
  • check methodology

Questions to consider

  • How do you spot misleading data?
  • What makes numbers trustworthy?

Another view

Statistics can be accurate and useful despite this reputation.

More from Mark Twain

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