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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.
Ambrose Bierce
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Interpretation

What this quote means

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.

Themes

StatisticsIgnoranceIntelligenceSocietyCritique

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about educational reform, one might use this quote to emphasize the need for improving critical thinking skills.

More from Ambrose Bierce

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.
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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.
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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.'
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Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
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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.
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PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
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