'Why waste time on statistics?'

Guest: How many other people are there on this planet who have made as much spiritual progress as you have?

Prabhupada: I don’t know, there are no statistics in my possession. But what is the use of taking such statistics? Why don’t you become one of them? Why waste time on statistics? You try to become enlightened. What is the use of taking record of who is enlightened or not? You should try to be enlightened yourself. For example, when you purchase a plane ticket, do you ask, “How many tickets have you sold?” What is the use of that? Just purchase your ticket, get on the airplane, and go. Don’t waste your valuable time. If you are serious, just purchase the ticket, get on the airplane, and take the journey.

(From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.40-45 - Los Angeles, December 13, 1968)