STATISTICS: The government are very keen on amassing statistics. They collect them, add them, raise them to the Nth power, take the cube root and prepare wonderful diagrams. But you must never forget that every one of those figures comes in the first instance from the village watchman who puts down what he damn pleases.
- Sir Josiah Stamp, UK Commissioner of Inland Revenue, 1896-1919.
Also, a pair of thoughts which belong together:
“A statesman is a successful politician—who is dead.”
Congressman Thomas Brackett Reed (1839-1902), a Speaker of the House from 1889-1891 and 1895-1899.
U.S. President Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) added in 1958: “A statesman is a politician who’s been dead 10 to 15 years.”
Commenting on present day politics, anonymous added:
"We need more statesmen."
You might wish to add:
STATISTICS: The government are very keen on amassing statistics. They collect them, add them, raise them to the Nth power, take the cube root and prepare wonderful diagrams. But you must never forget that every one of those figures comes in the first instance from the village watchman who puts down what he damn pleases.
- Sir Josiah Stamp, UK Commissioner of Inland Revenue, 1896-1919.
Can't do justice to these, so thanks, and God Bless!