--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A witty statesman said, you might prove…" description: "\"A witty statesman said, you might prove anything by figures.\" — Thomas Carlyle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/thomas-carlyle-207_figures_a-witty-statesman-said-you-might-prove-a_975566.png" --- # A witty statesman said, you might prove anything by figures. ![“A witty statesman said, you might prove anything by figures.” quote by Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/thomas-carlyle-207_figures_a-witty-statesman-said-you-might-prove-a_975566.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/thomas-carlyle-207_figures_a-witty-statesman-said-you-might-prove-a_975566.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/thomas-carlyle-207_figures_a-witty-statesman-said-you-might-prove-a_975566.png) > “A witty statesman said, you might prove anything by figures.” [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Numbers can be manipulated to support any argument, revealing the danger of relying solely on data. **In simple terms:** Data can be twisted to prove anything. Key Takeaway Critically evaluate statistical claims. Themes skepticism data misuse argumentation Mood critical analytical Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - political debates - marketing pitches - academic research - policy making Key Concepts logical fallacy statistical literacy Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify the integrity of data? - What safeguards prevent misuse of statistics? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on data may ignore qualitative insights. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figures/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Might](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/might/) [Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove/) [Prove Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove-figures-1903254/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Said Prove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-prove-1903255/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Statesman Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statesman-said-1781906/) [Statistics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/statistics/) [Witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witty/) [Witty Statesman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witty-statesman-1903253/) ## Related quotes > [“while we remain immersed in the study of personal incidents and details, as what such a statesman said or how many men were killed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fiske/while-we-remain-immersed-in-the-study-of-personal-incidents-and/) [John Fiske](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fiske/) > [“I don't believe you," Neil said. 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Let Time and Chance combine! 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And then follow me to gloryville.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-ellis/what-do-you-want-for-your-life-and-how-are-you-going-to-get-it-figure/) [Jason Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-ellis/) > [I don't have to figure out how God is going to solve my problem. I don't have to understand how He's going to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-don-t-have-to-figure-out-how-god-is-going-to-solve-my-problem-i-don/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. Heritage Foundation political scientist Robert Rector has worked up figures showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-comparative-terms-there-s-no-poverty-in-america-by-a-long-shot/) [P. J. 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