Life, 1913-07-31 · page 2 of 36
Life — July 31, 1913 — page 2: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
The main cartoon depicts an Egyptian-themed social scene with figures in classical dress. The advertisement reads "Egyptian Deities: The Utmost in Cigarettes, Cork Tips or Plain," using ancient Egypt as a marketing motif—common in the 1920s when Egyptian aesthetics were fashionable following Tutankhamun's tomb discovery (1922). The accompanying article "The Incompetence of Successful Men" argues that failure often teaches more than success, using business examples. It suggests that competent failures understand their mistakes better than successful men who may not comprehend their own operations. The page also advertises stockings by Peck & Peck and Chiclotts beverages. The content reflects 1920s consumer culture and business philosophy rather than explicit political satire.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Copyright la England The Incompetence of Successful Men NCE in a while some man who has made an extraordinary success goes to pieces; and when we come to examine the parts, we find that most of them are of very imperfect mech- anism. We wonder how he held to- gether at all. On the other hand, the man who Finest Exclusive Styles French Engtish: of English Crarety and American ge mace to Stockings. Trench Sox. STOCKINGS EXCLUSIVELY Send for our new booklet, illustrating many new styles. Deck as Peck, Stee Fifth Auerne Shops 588 4at 230 cat ‘at! jot 4BYSt, Attst, 27s! New York far et CD “TheUtmost in Gparettes™ Crk Tips or Plain fails is almost sure to be more com- petent than the man who succeeds. His failure may often proceed from some slight accident. One of the pieces of machinery may be missing or may not he adjusted properly. For one thing, the man who fails knows almost certainly more about his subject than the man who succeeds. In his efforts to prevent himself from failing, he has struggled over the ground a great many times more than the suc- cessful man, who may have made his success hy some little trick of manner or by some happy accident, or by a quick decision at the beginning of the game, which may have had no more actual bearing upon his ability than the toss of a coin, If any one doubts this statement, let him examine at close range some of our most successful people, and he will he amazed at their incapacity. He will discover that the surgeon with an im- mense reputation doesn't know any more about operating than the un- known physician in his own country town, He will discover that the big lawyer to whom he presents his case, makes the most asinine blunders and that the respectable old banker, who has made a fortune and whose judg- ment is supposed to be infallible, is to misinvest his funds than Axtsto7.e, when asked what good he had got from philosophy, said, “I have learnt to do without bidding that which others do only from fear of the laws.” —From the Greek. Trees TREE is a stick made of various kinds of wood, that rises from the ground, sometimes to a great height, and is covered in summer with leaves and insects, and if it bears fruit, with small boys. Trees are used to hold up hammocks, and may cause much damage when these hammocks are occupied by pretty girls. Trees, like dogs, are known by their barks. Trees are tall, short, thick and thin, and sometimes nude. In cold weather nude trees stand around and invite immorality. Spring, the only modest thing left, comes along once a year and covers them up. Then autumn tells them what is going to happen to them a little later, which makes them all blush. Trees are very polite. They spend their time in nodding to one another. Even if a big storm comes along the; all bow to it. Yet some of them— uch as the wild cherry, the green apple and the peach—cause much needless pain, Grandma's Old Friend An old lady laughed immoderately at a story told at a dinner in Chicago. The story-teller looked at her inquir- “ Oh,” she gasped, “ it’s a great favorite of mine. The first time I heard it I laughed so hard [ almost kicked the footboard off my crib!" —Saturday Evening Post. Try One of Our Dry Varieties Martini—Regular Martini—Dry (medium) Martini—Brut (very dry) Manhattan—Regu! Manhattan—Dry At all dealers G.F.Heublein Bro. Sole Prop's. AN one of conveni afford i est con It y credit. terest 0 sides th home t We do You hi things learn w We fee you wil avoid a Please you thi: not affe Iris toc It do comicbooks.com