Life, 1922-11-23 · page 4 of 36
Life — November 23, 1922 — page 4: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is **not a cartoon or satire**, but rather a serious corporate advertisement/editorial piece. It's a formal essay on reputation signed by what appears to be the President of Packard Motor Car Company. The text argues that reputation is not an achievement's end point, but rather its beginning—a continuous responsibility. It uses metaphors of "iron tyranny" and "benevolent law" to suggest that a good reputation creates ongoing obligation to maintain high standards. The decorative ornamental borders and formal typography indicate this is presented as dignified corporate messaging, likely aimed at business readers of Life magazine during the early-to-mid 20th century. The piece emphasizes that quality products and ethical business practices build reputation, which then demands sustained excellence.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
REPUTATION The man who builds and the man who buys are both beneficiaries of a good reputation. To one it is a continuous spur and an incentive—to the other the strongest of all guarantees that what he buys is worthy. & We sometimes speak of winning a reputation as though that were the final goal. The truth is contrary to this. Reputation is a reward, to be sure, but it is really the beginning, not the end of endeavor. It should not be the signal for a let-down, but, rather, a reminder that the standards which won recognition can never again be lowered. From him who gives much—much is forever after expected. = Reputation isnever completely earned— it is always being earned. It is a reward—but in a much more profound sense it is a continuing responsibility. # That which is mediocre may deteriorate and no great harm be done. That which has been accorded a good reputation is forever forbidden to drop below its own best. It must ceaselessly strive for higher standards. If your name means much to your public—you are doubly bound to keep faith. You have formed a habit of high aspiration which you cannot abandon—and out of that habit created a reputation which you dare not disown without drawing down disaster. = There is an iron tyranny which compels men who do good work to go on dding good work. The name of that beneficent tyranny is reputation. There is an inflexible law which binds men who build well, to go on building well. The name of that benevolent law is reputation. There is an insurance which infallibly protects those whose reason for buy- ing is that they believe in a thing and in its maker. The name of that kindly insurance is reputation. =» Choose without fear that which the generality of men join you in approving. There is no higher incentive in human endeavor than the reward of reputation—and no greater responsibility than the responsi- bility which reputation compels all of us to assume. Out of that reward and out of that responsibility come the very best of which the heart and mind and soul of man are capable. President, Packard Motor Car Company comicbooks.com