Life, 1903-01-15 · page 15 of 20
Life — January 15, 1903 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents philosophical dialogue paired with social commentary illustrations. The main feature depicts a debate between an **Optimist and a Pessimist**—archetypal figures representing opposing worldviews. The Optimist celebrates the happiness found in humble labor and selflessness (depicting a working mother and tradesman), while the Pessimist insists such contentment is illusory. Father Time observes they're "both right," satirizing how both perspectives contain truth. Below, a brief medical joke mocks **malpractice**: a doctor defends a fatal dose by claiming the symptoms "warranted it," then philosophizes that sinners are saved because there are "so many ways of doing a thing wrong"—darkly satirizing medical incompetence and moral relativism. The page's humor targets intellectual posturing, social hypocrisy, and professional negligence through contrasting philosophical positions with harsh reality.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
57 they don’t bathe every day, but what of that? The real, true, genuine sources of happiness they possess much more than even if they were outwardly luxurious. In the first place, they are all un- selfish, which is the supremest joy of life. Look at that mother, bending over what you would term a squalid, ragged child. Look at the light in her eyes. Took at the bare breast of that werkman, how he bends to his task. He is creating something with his own hands. My friend, there is hardly any happine: compared with that.’’ “see,” said the Pessimist, as he glowered upon his com- panion, ‘that it’s no use. We can do each other no good, Let us part.” “Willingly,”’ said the Op- timist. “If any one could ruffle me, I am sure you would.” And Father Time, as he watched them going off in OpPosite directions, whistled soft- ly to himself and said : “What a pity those fellows can- not get on together, For they are both right.” Tom Maxson. “ M ALPRACTICE? No! The dose caused heart failure, of course, but the symptoms war- ranted it."” “I daresay. After all, the thing that saves us sinners is that there are so many ways of doing a thing wrong.” OW MANY CAN E HAY Mies Ladytng ; 00 away, un. REM 1, WOW MANY CAN YOU CARRY aAWaY with BLEBCE. YOU CAN'T FLINT WITH ME. YOU ARF A REGULAR OLD HUMAUG. comicbooks.com