The editor of the New York Times said how proud he was of one of the paper’s campaign investigations of John McCain. While another top Timesman praised the same story as “a powerful examination” of a politician’s apparent blindness to ethical concerns.

The self-back slapping from the Newspaper of Record after its success in a $27-million defamation case without paying a dime to the plaintiff, Washington lobbyist Vicki Iseman, or admitting doing anything wrong.

But winning a case is not the same as winning high journalistic ground.

Nothing changes the fact that the Times’ story about McCain and the lobbyist simply had overreached and, once again, showed that journalistic ethics is an oxymoron for the Times and that quoting anonymous sources just isn’t right.

On planning and time management:

• “Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today. Never let your correspondence fall behind. Whatever piece of business you have in hand, before stopping, do all the labor pertaining to it which can then be done.”

On dealing with clients:

• “An exorbitant fee should never be claimed. As a general rule never take your whole fee in advance, nor any more than a small retainer. When fully paid beforehand, you are more than a common mortal if you can feel the same interest in the case. … Settle the amount of fee and take a note in advance … and you are sure to do your work faithfully and well.”

• “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser — in fees, expenses, and waste of time.”

On the importance of quality and integrity:

• “If in your own judgment you cannot be an honest lawyer, resolve to be honest without being a lawyer.”