According to the most trustworthy statistics the number of adult Dullards in the United States is but little short of thirty millions, including the statisticians.
Interpretation
This quote humorously critiques the lack of intelligence in society, particularly among those who interpret statistics.
Ambrose Bierce's quote highlights a concern about the prevalence of ignorance, suggesting that nearly thirty million adults in the United States exhibit a lack of critical thinking or awareness, and ironically includes the statisticians themselves among this group. By exaggerating the numbers, Bierce invites readers to reflect on the reliability of information and the competency of those who interpret it, prompting a discussion on the importance of education and informed perspectives in analyzing statistics.
In practice
In a debate about educational reform, one might use this quote to emphasize the need for improving critical thinking skills.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
The reason death sticks so closely to life isnβt biological necessity β itβs envy.
Humanity needs dreams to be able to survive the miseries of daily existence, even if only for an instant.
We must remember that there is a great difference between a myth and a miracle. A myth is the idealization of a fact. A miracle is the counterfeit of a fact. There is the same difference between a myth and a miracle that there is between fiction and falsehood -- between poetry and perjury. Miracles belong to the far past and the far future. The little line of sand, called the present, between the seas, belongs to common sense to the natural.
Beauty stands In the admiration only of weak minds Led captive.
Perhaps you know some well-off families who do not seem to suffer from their riches. They do not overeat themselves; they find occupations to keep themselves in health; they do not worry about their position; they put their money into safe investments and are content with a low rate of interest; and they bring up their children to live simply and do useful work. But this means that they do not live like rich people at all, and might therefore just as well have ordinary incomes.
No man understands the Scriptures, unless he be acquainted with the Cross.
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