The Rotary Four Way Test

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From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely quoted and printed statements of business ethics is the 'Four Way Test,' which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as a RI President) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy.

The 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary International in 1943, The Four Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. It asks the following four questions:

"Of the things we think, say and do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2 Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Is it BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"