Professional ethics

Professional ethics is one of the few subjects upon which I should dare to speak before an audience of young engineers. I am a veteran of 50 years and pretty well scarred by many campaigns, but I am not so senile as to suppose that I can instruct you young men in the things which you have so recently learned, either in school or in the shops. We old fellows have had hard enough work to keep up during the last half century; and if we have stumbled along and not fallen out of the procession altogether, at least we ought not to be expected to go to teaching people who know more than we do. We must still continue to hustle along as best we can at your heels, or else sit at your feet and learn from you. But there are some things that old men can say to young men; and this subject of professional ethics, though the words may sound formidable, may possibly cover some essential and useful hints not unworthy of your attention.