Adults Quote by Ambrose Bierce
“According to the most trustworthy statistics the number of adult Dullards in the United States is but little short of thirty millions, including the statisticians.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Devil's Dictionary", 1906
Statistical data suggests many adults are unintelligent, humorously including statisticians themselves.
In simple terms: Many adults are unintelligent, even statisticians.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about expertise.
Themes
humor
statistics
intelligence
self‑deprecation
irony
Mood
satirical
witty
Type
humorous
critical
When to use this quote
- education policy
- public discourse
- media commentary
- critical thinking
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
expertise
humorous critique
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we avoid overgeneralizing from data?
- What role does humor play in critiquing expertise?
A Different Perspective
Statistical claims can be misleading without context.
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
