I can prove anything by statistics except the truth.

The line is a sardonic warning about the rhetorical misuse of numbers. It suggests that statistics, while appearing objective, can be selected, framed, or manipulated to “prove” almost any position—especially in politics and public debate—yet still fail to convey what is actually true. The quip underscores the difference between quantitative evidence and honest inference: figures do not interpret themselves, and conclusions depend on assumptions, definitions, and what data are omitted. As a result, the quote is often invoked to encourage skepticism toward persuasive numerical claims and to advocate for transparency about methods and context when using statistical arguments.