Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Before statistical methods existed, people relied on falsehoods to explain or predict trends.
In plain terms
Lying was the main way to explain things before data existed.
What can you take from it?
Data reduces reliance on guesswork and falsehoods.

Where it applies

  • historical study
  • data literacy
  • reporting

Putting it to work

  • Prioritize data collection
  • Verify claims with evidence

Questions to consider

  • What counts as evidence today?
  • How do we lie with numbers?

Another view

Some pre-statistical societies used observation rather than pure lies.

More from Stephen Leacock

  1. I detest life-insurance agents: they always argue that I shall some day die, which is not so.

    Permalink to quote #17
  2. It is to be observed that 'angling' is the name given to fishing by people who can't fish.

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.

    Permalink to quote #16

Related quotes

  1. A witty statesman said, you might prove anything by figures.

    Thomas CarlyleThomas Carlyle quote #4
  2. There are three kinds of lies - Lies, damned lies, and statistics.

    Mark TwainMark Twain quote #203
  3. There are three kinds of lies - Lies, damned lies, and statistics.

    Samuel Langhorne ClemensSamuel Langhorne Clemens quote #203