The Scout Law is one of the basic codes we use to guide us in our lives as Scouts. Here are several interpretations of those twelve important words. These are followed by the Scout Law as it is said in other countries.
A great American, John Wayne, passed away several years ago. One of his last public appearances was at a dinner. He was riddled with cancer and knew he was close to death. The purpose of the dinner was to benefit a land purchase for a Scout Reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp.
At this dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law. Then he did something unusual: he said the twelve points of the Scout Law are "nice words".
"Trouble is," he continued, "we learn them so young we sometimes don't get all the understanding that goes with them. I take care of that in my family. As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law. Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it."
Then Wayne proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner, much like he would have for his grandson:
TRUSTWORTHY - The badge of honesty. Having it lets you look any man in the eye. Lacking it he won't look back. Keep this one at the top of your list.
LOYAL - The very word is life itself, for without loyalty we have no love of person or country.
HELPFUL - Part sharing, part caring. By helping each other, we help ourselves, not to mention mankind. Be always full of help - the dying man's last words.
FRIENDLY - Brotherhood is part of that word. You can take it in a lot of directions- and do - but make sure and start with brotherhood.
COURTEOUS - Allow each person his human dignity which means a lot more than saying "yes ma'am" and "thank you sir". It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more...earlier in life. Save yourself that problem. Do it now.
KIND - This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds. But it's like your bicycle. It's just no good unless you get out and use it.
OBEDIENT - Starts at home. Practice it in your family. Enlarge it in your friends. Share it with humanity.
CHEERFUL - Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good. The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems. It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.
THRIFTY - Means a lot more than putting pennies away, and is the opposite of cheap. Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.
BRAVE - You don't have to fight to be brave. Millions of good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavy-weight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day's work and living the best life they know how against the law of odds. Keep the word handy every day of your life.
CLEAN - Soap and water help a lot on the outside. But it is the inside that counts, and don't you ever forget it.
REVERENT - Believe in anything that you want to believe in but keep God at the top of it. With Him, life can be a beautiful experience. Without Him, you are just biding time.
John Wayne then thanked those at the dinner for putting his name on the outpost camp and said, "I would rather see it here than on all the theater marquees the world over."
The Scout Law is one of the basic codes we use to guide us in our lives as Scouts. Here are several interpretations of those twelve important words. These are followed by the Scout Law as it is said in other countries.
A Scout Law Responsive Reading
(from the Nawakwa Lodge 3 Chapel Committee)
Leader: Our Father, make us Trustworthy,
All: For there are those who Trust us.
Leader: Make us Loyal,
All: For through Loyalty, we reach our highest ideals.
Leader: Help us to be Helpful,
All: For through Helpfulness we forget our selfishness.
Leader: Make us Friendly,
All: For there are many who need a Friend.
Leader: Train us to be Courteous,
All: For Courtesy is the carpet on Life's floor.
Leader: Make us Kind,
All: For Kindness is the oil in Life's machinery.
Leader: Insist upon our being Obedient,
All: For victory comes only to those who obey,
Leader: Make us Cheerful,
All: For Cheerfulness is the green grass among the rocks in the path of life.
Leader: Train us in Thrift,
All: For Thrifty habits brighten our future.
Leader: Make us Brave,
All: Brave in the dark, Brave in the light, but save us from becoming braggers.
Leader: Help us to be Clean,
All: Clean in thought, in speech and in deed; and may we remember that our bodies are Holy Temples.
Leader: Above all, O God, help us to be Reverent,
All: Reverent as we are in relationship with you, and toward all things in your creation, when we are in the beauty of nature, among the trees, along the streams, and on the hillsides.
Leader: May we recognize that it was you, O God, who made the waters flow, the trees to reach heavenward, and the mountains to endure all ages.
All: In all these things we ask that you will help us; and that we may never forget the Scout Oath to which we have pledged ourselves, so that with your help we may live the points of the Scout Law.
Another Biblical Interpretation
(from http://post369.columbus.oh.us/bible.d/ascoutis.html)
A Scout is Trustworthy.
Exodus 20:16
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
A Scout is Loyal.
Luke 16:10
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
A Scout is Helpful
Deuteronomy 15:11
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
A Scout is Friendly
Psalm 133:1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
A Scout is Courteous
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
A Scout is Kind
Proverbs 12:10
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
A Scout is Obedient
Ephesians 6:1-3
6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
6:2 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
6:3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
A Scout is Cheerful
Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the hea rt the spirit is broken.
A Scout is Thrifty
Proverbs 6:6-8
6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
A Scout is Brave
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
A Scout is Clean
Psalm 24:3-5
24:3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?
24:4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.
24:5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
A Scout is Reverent
Mark 12:30
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
A Third Gospel interpretation
(from http://www.umcscouting.org/services/scout_law_gospel_reading.htm)
A Scout is Trustworthy
The person who is dishonest shall not live in My house; the person who is untruthful shall not stand before My eyes. Psalms 101:7
A Scout is Loyal
And Ruth said: "Do not beg me to leave you or to return from following after you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay." Ruth 1:16
A Scout is Helpful
You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Leviticus 19:18
A Scout is Friendly
Can two walk together unless they agree? Amos 3:3
A Scout is Courteous
Honor your father and your mother. Exodus 20:12
A Scout is Kind
Withhold not good from the person to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. Proverbs 3:27
A Scout is Obedient
Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to the words of knowledge. Proverbs 23:12
A Scout is Cheerful
A glad heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22
A Scout is Thrifty
Precious treasure remains a wise person's dwelling, but a foolish person uses it up.
Proverbs 21:20
A Scout is Brave
Be strong and of good courage. I Chronicles 28:20
A Scout is Clean
Who shall ascend the mountain of the Lord? And who shall stand in God's holy place? The person who has clean hands and a pure heart. Psalms 24:3-4
A Scout is Reverent
It has been told to you what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
Troop 97 in Fort Collins, CO has their own interpretation!
(from http://www.troop97.net/)
Tell the truth-always!
Stand by and stick up for the other Scouts.
Help anyone who needs your help.
Be a friend to every other Scout (yes, every other Scout).
Be polite to everyone (everyone).
Treat others the way you would like them to treat you.
Do what you're asked to do (don't complain, don't whine).
Be cheerful, even in the rain.
Take care of your stuff, and spend your money wisely.
Be brave, even if you are afraid, and stick up for what you know is right.
Wash your Kool-Aid mustache, take a shower every day-and keep your mind, your thoughts, and your mouth as clean as your body.
Keep God in your daily life, and notice his handiwork everywhere we go.
Ask Yourself:
(from Darren Drevik, Scoutmaster, Troop 75, Marietta, Ga.)
AM I TRUSTWORTHY
if I sneak prohibited items on campouts, or do things behind the Scoutmaster's back that I know he'd disapprove of?
AM I LOYAL
if I say bad things about my fellow patrol or troop members?
AM I HELPFUL
if I don't do my fair share on campouts - cooking, cleaning, collecting wood, doing my part?
AM I FRIENDLY
if I make fun of others at meetings?
AM I COURTEOUS
when I call other Scouts names, yell at them to "Shut up," or keep talking even after the Scout sign goes up?
AM I KIND
when I make fun of others behind their backs, or ignore younger Scouts who need my help to learn?
AM I OBEDIENT
when I ignore tasks given to me by my patrol leader, senior patrol leader or others?
AM I CHEERFUL
when I gripe about bad food, the weather or duty rosters?
AM I THRIFTY
when I don't take care of troop equipment, or my own?
AM I BRAVE
when I fail to stick up for younger Scouts because I want my buddies to think I'm "cool"?
AM I CLEAN
if I litter my campsite, fail to wash up before cooking, or fail to clean up my patrol box after each meal?
AM I REVERENT
when I use foul language, or otherwise disobey the commandments of my faith?
The Scout Law in the United Kingdom
The Scout Law
A Scout is to be trusted.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout is friendly and considerate.
A Scout belongs to the worldwide family of Scouts.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
A Scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A Scout has self-respect and respect for others.
The Scout Law in Australia
A Scout is trustworthy
A Scout is loyal
A Scout is helpful
A Scout is friendly
A Scout is cheerful
A Scout is considerate
A Scout is thrifty
A Scout is courageous
A Scout is respectful
A Scout cares for the environment
The Scout Law in Canada
A Scout is
Helpful and trustworthy,
Kind and cheerful,
Considerate and clean,
Wise in the use of all resources.
The Scout Law in Norway
1. A Scout is open to God and His word.
2. A Scout feels responsibility for himself and others.
3. A Scout is helpful and considerate.
4. A Scout is a good friend.
5. A Scout is honest and reliable.
6. A Scout knows nature and cares about it.
7. A Scout thinks and acts independently and tries to understand others.
8. A Scout does his best in adversity and difficulties.
9. A Scout is careful with things and tries to manage on his own.
10. A Scout works for peace and understanding between men.
The Scout Law in Venezuela
1. The Scout wears his honor to deserve trust
2. The Scout is loyal
3. The Scout is helpful
4. The Scout is a friend of all and brother to any other Scout
5 The Scout is courteous and gentlemanly
6. The Scout sees in nature the work of God and protects it
7. The Scout obey his conscience, is hard-working and persevering
8. The Scout smiles and sings in his difficulties.
9. The Scout is thrifty, takes care of and respects the good of others
10. The Scout is pure in thoughts, words, and deeds
The Scout Law in Brasil
1. The Scout has only one word, his honour is more than his own life.
2. The Scout is loyal.
3. The Scout is always prepared to help and makes daily a good action.
4. The Scout is friend of all and brother of the other Scouts.
5. The Scout is courteous.
6. The Scout is good to the animals and plants.
7. The Scout is obedient and disciplined.
8. The Scout is happy and smiles in difficulties.
9. The Scout is economical and respects the others' things.
10. The Scout is clean, of body and soul.
Chilean Scout Law:
The Scout places his honor in being worthy of trust.
The Scout is loyal.
The Scout is useful and helps others,
without thinking of compensation.
The Scout is a friend to all and a brother to any Scout.
The Scout is courteous and gentlemanly.
The Scout loves Nature and protects animals and plants.
The Scout smiles and sings in difficult times.
The Scout is obedient.
The Scout is thrifty.
The Scout is clean and pure in thought, word and deed.
The Scout Law in Hong Kong:
A scout is to be trusted.
A scout is loyal.
A scout is friendly and considerate.
A scout belongs to the worldwide family of scouts.
A scout has courage in all difficulties.
A scout makes good use of time and is careful of possessions and property.
A scout has self-respect and respect for others.
Hungarian Scout Law
1. A cserkész egyeneslelkû és feltétlenül igazat mond.
A scout is trustworthy and always tells the truth
2. A cserkész híven teljesítí kötelességeit, melyekkel Istennek, hazájának és embertársainak tartozik.
A scout carries out his obligations to God, country and fellow men
3. A cserkész ahol tud, segít.
A scout helps whenever he can
4. A cserkész minden cserkészt testvérének tekínt.
A scout is brother to every other scout
5. A cserkész másokkal szemben gyengéd, magával szemben szigorú.
A scout is understading toward others, and strict with himself
6. A cserkész szereti a természetet, jó az állatokhoz és kíméli a növényeket.
A scout loves nature, is a friend to animals, and protects the flora
7. A cserkész feljebbvalóinak jó lélekkel és készségesen engedelmeskedik.
A scout obeys his superiors willingly and wholeheartedly
8. A cserkész vidám és meggondolt.
A scout is good natured and thoughtful
9. A cserkész takarékos.
A scout is thrifty
10. A cserkész testben és lélekben tiszta.
A scout is clean in body and soul
Singapore Scout Law:
A Scout is to be trusted.
A Scout is loyal.
A Scout makes friends, establishes and maintains harmonious
relations.
A Scout is disciplined and considerate.
A Scout has courage in all difficulties.
South African Scout Law
the actual laws are based on an abbreviated version of the British laws:
1. A Scout's Honour is to be trusted
2. A Scout is loyal.
3. A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others
4. A Scout is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout
5. A Scout is courteous
6. A Scout is a friend to animals
7. A Scout obeys orders
8. A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties
9. A Scout is thrifty
10. A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed.
We use a rhyme to remember the laws:
"Trusty, loyal, helpful,
Brotherly, courteous, kind,
Obedient, Smiling, Thrifty,
Clean in body and mind"
Swedish Scout Law:
1. A Scout is reverent to God and His word.
2. A Scout is honest and trustworthy.
3. A Scout is friendly and helpful.
4. A scout is considerate and a good companion.
5. A scout overcomes difficulties with humour.
6. A Scout learns to know and protects the Nature.
7. A Scout accepts responsibility for herself/himself and
others.
Swiss Scout Law:
A scout is honest towards him/herself and the others
A scout stands to his/her belief
and respects the belief of others.
A scout takes care of the nature and all living beings
A scout helps wherever he/she can
A scout is a good companion
A scout keeps his/her self-control
A scout can integrate him-/herself in the community
A scout overcomes difficulties with humor
A scout can renounce
A scout is ready [willing] to take responsibility.