But I'm here to tell you that statistics do not lie. Statistics cannot lie.
Statistics are nothing more than recorded observations.
People, on the other hand, can and do lie. This is by far the most important thing to keep in mind when reading through a statistical study. Illumination means looking at all available evidence to help answer a question. Support means finding and citing particular statistics that support a point that's already been decided upon by the author. If statistics are not brought in until after a conclusion has been drawn, there is a good chance that you're getting the truth but not the whole truth.