Boy Scout Oath
The Meaning of the Boy
Scout Oath
Excerpted from page 45-46,
Boy Scout Handbook, 11th ed,
(#33105), copyright 1998 by BSA, ISBN 0-8395-3105-2
and from page 420-421,
Webelos Scout Book, 1998 edition,
(#33108), copyright 1998 by BSA, ISBN 0-8395-3108-7
Before you pledge yourself to any oath or promise, you must
know what it means. The paragraphs that follow will help you understand
the meaning of the Scout Oath.
On my honor . . .
By giving your word, you are promising to be guided by the ideals of
the Scout Oath.
. . . I will do my best . . .
Try hard to live up to the points of the Scout Oath. Measure your
achievements against your own high standards and don't be influenced by
peer pressure or what other people do.
. . . To do my duty to God . . .
Your family and religious leaders teach you about God and the ways
you can serve. You do your duty to God by following the wisdom of those
teachings every day and by respecting and defending the rights of others
to practice their own beliefs.
. . . and my country . . .
Help keep the United States a strong and fair nation by learning
about our system of government and your responsibilities as a citizen
and future voter.
America is made up of countless families and communities. When you
work to improve your community and your home, you are serving your
country. Natural resources are another important part of America's
heritage worthy of your efforts to understand, protect, and use wisely.
What you do can make a real difference.
. . . and to obey the Scout Law; . . .
The twelve points of the Scout Law are guidelines that can lead you
toward wise choices. When you obey the Scout Law, other people will
respect you for the way you live, and you will respect yourself.
. . . To help other people at all times; . . .
There are many people who need you. Your cheerful smile and helping
hand will ease the burden of many who need assistance. By helping out
whenever possible, you are doing your part to make this a better world.
. . . To keep myself physically strong, . . .
Take care of your body so that it will serve you well for an entire
lifetime. That means eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and
exercising regularly to build strength and endurance. it also means
avoiding harmful drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and anything else that can
harm your health.
. . . mentally awake, . . .
Develop your mind both in the classroom and outside of school. Be
curious about everything around you, and work hard to make the most of
your abilities. With an inquiring attitude and the willingness to ask
questions, you can learn much about the exciting world around you and
your role in it.
. . . and morally straight.
To be a person of strong character, your relationships with others
should be honest and open. You should respect and defend the rights of
all people. Be clean in your speech and actions, and remain faithful in
your religious beliefs. The values you practice as a Scout will help you
shape a life of virtue and self-reliance.
Note that the Boy Scout Oath has traditionally been
considered to have three promises. Those three promises are delineated
by the semicolons in the Oath, which divide it into three clauses. The
three promises of the Scout Oath are, therefore:
-
Duty to God and country,
-
Duty to other people, and
-
Duty to self
DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your FAMILY and religious
leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings,
you do
your duty to God.
Men and women of the past worked to make America great, and many gave
their lives for their country. By being a good family member and a good
citizen, by working for your country's good and obeying its laws, you do
your duty to your country. Obeying the Scout Law means living by its 12
points.
DUTY TO OTHER PEOPLE: Many people need help. A
cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a
Good Turn daily and helping when you're needed, you prove yourself a
Scout and do your part to make this a better world.
DUTY TO SELF: Keeping yourself physically
strong means taking care of your body. Eat the right foods and
build your strength. Staying mentally awake means learn
all you can, be curious, and ask questions. Being morally
straight means to live your life with honesty, to be clean in
your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.