Ignorance Quote by Thomas Carlyle
“Statistics, one may hope, will improve gradually, and become good for something. Meanwhile, it is to be feared the crabbed satirist was partly right, as things go: "A judicious man," says he, "looks at Statistics, not to get knowledge, but to save himself from having ignorance foisted on him."”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Signs of the Times, 1845
Statistics can be useful but may be misused to avoid confronting ignorance.
In simple terms: Stats help, but can hide truth.
Key Takeaway
Use stats wisely, not as a shield.
Themes
knowledge
skepticism
statistics
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- business decisions
- policy analysis
- academic research
- media reporting
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you trust numbers without questioning?
- When do stats mislead you?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance may lead to false security.
