Herbert J. Taylor

Herbert J. Taylor (April 18, 1893 – May 1, 1978) was the creator of the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think, Say and Do in 1932. This 24-word statement of business ethics was devised in twenty minutes as he set out to save the Club Aluminum Products distribution company from bankruptcy. He was a member of the Chicago, Illinois USA Rotary Club at the time, and later became President of his Rotary club and then District Governor.

In 1944, when he was an international director of Rotary, he offered the Four Way Test to the organisation, and it was adopted by Rotary for its internal and promotional use. He served as President of Rotary International in 1954-55. The Four Way Test has been promoted around the world and is used in myriad forms to encourage personal and business ethical practices.

Never changed, the 24 word Four Way Test remains today a central part of the permanent Rotary structure throughout the world, and is held as the standard by which all behaviour should be measured:

THE FOUR WAY TEST OF THE THINGS WE THINK, SAY AND DO:

First, IS IT THE TRUTH?

Second, IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED?

Third, WILL IT BUILD GOOD WILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Fourth, WILL IT BE BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?

Taylor was born in Pickford, Michigan, went to high school in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and later worked as a Western Union messenger boy and then as a telegraph operator.