In "The Colors of All the Cattle," Alexander McCall Smith touches on the theme of skepticism towards adult inventiveness, suggesting that adults often speak in ways that require careful consideration. The protagonist warns that when listening to certain people, particularly politicians, one might need to interpret their words with caution by reducing their claims significantly.

This sentiment reflects a broader commentary on the nature of communication and the importance of discerning truth from embellishment. By advising to "divide everything they say by two, and then take away ten," the author underscores a need for critical thinking and vigilance in the face of potentially misleading statements.