"And finally, as the fifth essential element and the most important of all, we have the Scout Oath and Law and the Scout ideals of service.

"The Scout Law is the foundation upon which the whole Scout Movement rests. By committing himself to the Scout Oath the boy promises to live up to this Law with its ideals of self-development and service to others. It is the fulfillment of this promise that makes a boy a true Scout.

"In the Scout Law is expressed the goal toward which he will be striving in an effort to become a man of strong character, courteous and helpful to those who need this aid, a man who can be trusted.

"The genius of Scouting is most evident in the Law of the Movement. It was based upon the codes of old, transformed into a positive, living ideal for the modern boy, devised as a guide to his actions rather than as repressive of his faults. That is what makes the Scout Law outstanding.

The Scout Salute How Given

The Scout Salute is given with the right hand when the hat is either on or off. The salute is the same except in one case the fingers touch the brim of the hat -in the other case, they touch the forehead just above the right eye.

"Most other laws start out with a 'Do' or a 'Don't,' with a 'you must' or 'you mustn't'-they are either commanding or prohibiting, prescribing punishments for their breach.

"Not so the Scout Law. It is a statement of facts, of what is expected of a Scout. 'A Scout IS Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful..."

"By keeping this inspiring guide before each individual boy from the minute he is received into Scouting at an appropriate investiture ceremony, and by placing him in life situations in which he may exercise his loyalty to the Scout Ideals, the wise Scoutmaster, the Scoutmaster of imagination and vision, is able to instill into each individual boy a desire to help others, and a yearning to do his utmost to keep himself 'physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.'

The Scout Oath

On my honor, I will do my best-

1. To do my duty to God and my Country, and to obey the Scout Law;

2. To help other people at all times;

3. To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.

The Scout Law

1. A Scout is trustworthy.

A Scout's honor is to be trusted. If he were to violate his honor by telling a lie, or by cheating, or by not doing exactly a given task, when trusted on his honor, he may be directed to hand over his Scout Badge.

2. A Scout is loyal.

He is loyal to all to whom loyalty is due-his Scout leader, his home, and parents and country.

3. A Scout is helpful.

He must be prepared at any time to save life, help injured persons, and share the home duties. He must do at least one "Good Turn" to somebody every day.

4. A Scout is friendly.

He is a friend to all and a brother to every other Scout.

5. A Scout is courteous.

He is polite to all, especially to women, children, old people, and the weak and helpless. He must not take pay for being helpful or courteous.

6. A Scout is kind.

He is a friend to animals. He will not kill nor hurt any living creature needlessly, but will strive to save and protect all harmless life.

7. A Scout is obedient.

He obeys his parents, Scoutmaster, Patrol Leader, and all other duly constituted authorities.

8. A Scout is cheerful.

He smiles whenever he can. His obedience to orders is prompt and cheery. He never shirks nor grumbles at hardships.

9. A Scout is thrifty.

He does not wantonly destroy property. He works faithfully, wastes nothing, and makes the best use of his opportunities. He saves his money so that he may pay his own way, be generous to those is need and helpful to worthy objects.

He may work for pay, but must not receive tips for courtesies or "Good Turns."

10. A Scout is brave.

He has the courage to face danger in spite of fear, and to stand up for the right against the coaxings of friends or the jeers or threats of enemies, and defeat does not down him.

11. A Scout is clean.

He keeps clean in body and thought, stands for clean speech, clean sports, clean habits, and travels with a clean crowd.

12. A Scout is reverent.

He is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties, and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion.

"The entire Scout Law and the Scout Oath loom large in affecting the boy's whole attitude toward life and influencing his daily conduct. It is by aiding him to keep that Oath and to live that Law that we shall most surely reach our goal of fashioning his character and preparing him for participating citizenship."