The Four-Way Test

Tuesday September 29, 2026

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

“The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do” was written in 1932 by Herbert J. Taylor as part of turning around his aluminum company. It was adopted by Rotary International in the 1940s. I have kept the capitalization that they seem to use.

The Four-Way Test is very reminiscent of an 1872 poem by Mary Ann Pietzker, “Is it True? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?” Hard to say whether there's a connection.

I think the form of the test, as questions rather than prescriptions, is an interesting alternative to a lot of the lists of virtues, and laws that mostly say what not to do.