The Four-Way Test
From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians
were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in
their professional lives. One of the world's most widely
printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The
Four-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian
Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president)
when he was asked to take charge of a company that was
facing bankruptcy.
This 24-word test for employees to follow in their
business and professional lives became the guide for
sales, production, advertising, and all relations with
dealers and customers, and the survival of the company
is credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary
in 1943, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more
than a hundred languages and published in thousands of
ways. It asks the following four questions:
"Of the things we think, say or do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
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