Drunk Quote by Alfred E. Perlman
“I cannot resist making the observation that some people use statistics as a drunk uses a lamppost - more to lean on than for illumination.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Business Review, 1975
He likens misusing statistics to leaning on a lamppost for support rather than clarity, highlighting their misuse as decorative rather than informative.
In simple terms: Statistics are often used for show, not insight.
Key Takeaway
Use data for illumination, not decoration.
Themes
statistics
misuse
clarity
analysis
communication
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
educational
critical
When to use this quote
- board meetings
- academic lectures
- policy drafting
- media reporting
Key Concepts
critical thinking
data literacy
information ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would you need to trust a statistic?
- How can you test the relevance of data used?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on statistics can obscure truth if not interpreted correctly.
