It was to the effect that there were three gradations of inveracity - there were lies, there were d-d lies, and there were statistics." “Professor Munro reminded him of an old saying which he rather reluctantly proposed, in that company, to repeat. The earliest citation that I know of of the current usage of the phrase, that is, "there are three kinds of falsehoods, lies, damned lies and statistics" is from Arthur James Balfour, 1st Earl of Balfour, as quoted in the Manchester Guardian, 29th June 1892: There's no indication that by 'Wise Statesman' Courtney was referring to any specific person, although it Of the Wise Statesman, "Lies - damn lies - and statistics," still thereĪre some easy figures the simplest must understand, and the astutest cannot wriggle Courtney, (1832-1918), later Lord Courtney, in New York in 1895:įacts are facts, and although we may quote one to another with a chuckle the words An early reference to the expression, which may explain Twain's assertion is found in a speech made by Leonard Of this quotation has been found in any of Disraeli's published works or letters.
Is the autobiography of Mark Twain, where he makes that attribution. What's the origin of the phrase 'There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics'?Īttributed to Benjamin Disraeli, the 19th century British Prime Minister. It suggests that statisyics can be used to mislead even more than the worst form of untruth. What's the meaning of the phrase 'There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics'?
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