Facts Quote by Sydney Smith
“Don't tell me of facts, I never believe facts; you know Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts, except figures”
About This Quote
The quote critiques blind trust in facts, suggesting that facts can be misleading and that figures may be even more deceptive.
In simple terms: Facts can be misleading; figures can be worse.
Key Takeaway
Question the reliability of presented data.
Themes
skepticism
truth
perception
critical thinking
media literacy
Mood
critical
inquisitive
cautious
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- news consumption
- political debates
- scientific research
- marketing claims
- personal decisions
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
epistemology
information overload
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports a claim?
- How do figures shape your view?
A Different Perspective
Facts can be useful when contextualized.
![“Oh, don't tell me of facts, I never believe facts; you know, [George] Canning said nothing was so fallacious as facts, except figures.” quote by Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/sydney-smith-6523_belief_oh-don-t-tell-me-of-facts-i-never-believ_2292947.jpg)
![“Interestingly, the patients who presented to me self-diagnosed [with Dissociative Identity Disorder] had tried to tell previous therapists of their plight, but had been disbelieved. These therapists had used fallacious "capricious criteria" (KIuft, 1988) to discredit the diagnosis; e.g., that the…” quote by Richard P. Kluft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0cc/richard-p-kluft-44450_capricious_interestingly-the-patients-who-presented_680376.jpg)
![“[T]he 47th proposition in Euclid might now be voted down with as much ease as any proposition in politics; and therefore if Lord Hawkesbury hates the abstract truths of science as much as he hates concrete truth in human affairs, now is his time for getting rid of the multiplication table, and…” quote by Sydney Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/709/sydney-smith-6523_abstract_t-he-47th-proposition-in-euclid-might-no_463551.jpg)
