Life, 1906-08-02 · page 25 of 40
Life — August 2, 1906 — page 25: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page contains satirical commentary on hypocrisy and moral double standards in early 20th-century American society. The main text critiques how wealthy, respectable businessmen who violate ethical principles (the "Ten Commandments") are excused as "unconventional" or "Bohemian," while poor or ordinary people who commit similar moral infractions are harshly condemned as "rascals" and "degenerates." The passage sarcastically suggests that truth and honesty are impediments to business success and should be abandoned upon entering finance. The accompanying cartoons (featuring simplified figures in various scenarios) and brief jokes illustrate absurdity and rapid social change—including a humorous anecdote about a man proposing to a woman during a fast automobile ride, and wordplay about examining automobile chassis. The overall message: American society applies moral standards selectively based on social class, and modern business culture actively discourages honesty and integrity.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
his grip, we recognize the money-maniac and send an alienist and a lawyer to compromise with him, When some meek, lowly and negligible person chips a piece off the Decalogue, we call for Truth, which stigmatizes him asa rascal, degenerate, immoralist and enemy of society, and the world of rational modernity breathes easier. When one of our best people, one who figures in the directory of a bank, trust company, insurance company or other organized grafting machine, runs his automobile through the Ten Command- ments, the kindly old world wags its head gently and smiles indulgently when Euphemism tolerantly remarks, “How un- conventional, how Bohemian!” This is as things should be. Truth may have been useful in the past; and while it should not be abolished, it should be made to know its place. A man with truth to tell and goods to sell is in no sense a business man. Truth in the stock market would wreck the republic and lead to socialism; and truth in society would be as intolerable as nudity. The level-headed youth who keeps his eyes open will read over their portals as he enters business and finance this significant legend, “ Aban- don truth all ye who enter here.” Joseph Smith. Result of Environment “T SAW the oddest freak the other day,” says the man with the honest eyes and the trustworthy face. “A three-legged calf?” we ask, smiling. “No. It was a chicken that had fur instead of feathers.” “Yes. It was hatched from a cold-storage egg.” Rapid a | TOOK a girl out in my machine yesterday, and held her hand, proposed, was accepted and kissed her three times all inside of forty-two minutes.” “You ought to be put in jail for exceeding the speed limit.” NEVER look a gift auto in the chassis. comicbooks.com