Quote by Andrew Lang
He used statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts; for support rather than illumination.
Summary
This quote suggests that the person being referred to, "he," abuses statistics in a manner similar to how a drunken person uses lampposts. It implies that the individual in question selectively employs statistics to justify or support their arguments or beliefs, rather than using statistics as a tool for understanding and gaining true insights. The comparison highlights the misuse of statistics for confirmation bias rather than seeking the truth or shedding light on a subject.
Topics
Statistics
By Andrew Lang