Life — March 17, 1910 — page 11: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# "The Ten Commandments of the New York Stock Exchange" This is a satirical piece mocking the New York Stock Exchange and its members. The commandments parody the Biblical Ten Commandments, suggesting that stock brokers operate by their own corrupt moral code rather than actual ethics. The top illustration shows a woman (likely Lady Liberty or Justice) blown backward by wind—suggesting the Exchange's instability. The bottom cartoon depicts two wealthy men at a table with alcohol and money, with text implying casual fraud: one claims insurance covered his losses before being "killed." The satire's point: Stock Exchange members prioritize profit, commissions, and self-interest over honesty, fair dealing, and genuine principles. They "worship" the Exchange itself rather than maintaining ethical standards. This reflects Progressive-era criticism of Wall Street corruption and speculation.