Quotes on Statistics

Such an event is probable in Agathon's sense of the word: 'it is probable,' he says, 'that many things should happen contrary to probability.'

'Totally mad,' he said, 'utter nonsense. But we'll do it because it's brilliant nonsense.'

That willing suspension of disbelief for the moment, which constitutes poetic faith.

Figures don't lie, but liars figure.

Forget the statistics...we have to do more. You cannot look these children in the eye and see how desperate is their situation without wanting to help.

The pulpit and the optimist are always talking about the human race's steady march toward ultimate perfection. As usual, they leave out the statistics. It is the pulpit's way - the optimist's way.

You know that I write slowly. This is chiefly because I am never satisfied until I have said as much as possible in a few words, and writing briefly takes far more time than writing at length.

To understand God's thoughts, one must study statistics, for these are the measure of His purpose.

I don't believe in statistics. There are too many factors that can't be measured. You can't measure a ballplayer's heart.

While statistics are interesting, they're all in the past.

The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at and repair.

If one takes care of the means, the end will take care of itself.

It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter lies in the depth, where few are willing to search for it.

Round numbers are always false.

Maybe a nation that consumes as much booze and dope as we do and has our kind of divorce statistics should pipe down about "character issues."

You know my methods. Apply them.

The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking.

For the true measure of agriculture is not the sophistication of its equipment the size of its income or even the statistics of its productivity but the good health of the land.

Between grief and nothing, I will take grief.

A faith that cannot survive collision with the truth is not worth many regrets.

The bones and flesh and legal statistics are the garments worn by the personality, not the other way around.