I only believe in statistics that I doctored myself.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Churchill jokes that he trusts only statistics he has manipulated, highlighting skepticism toward data integrity and political spin.
- In plain terms
- He trusts only numbers he has changed himself.
- What can you take from it?
- Data can be manipulated to support any desired narrative.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is it acceptable to adjust data?
- How can we trust official statistics?
Another view
The joke normalizes dishonesty in reporting and analysis.
More from Winston Churchill
People often forget that in 1940 there was no guarantee that we were going to win.
Permalink to quote #218 Yes, now bugger off.
Permalink to quote #220 The hardest cross I have to bear is the Cross of Lorraine.
Permalink to quote #217
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