Robert Baden-Powell

“Apart from the fact that any hardy exercise conduces much to the training and formation of a soldier, pig-sticking tends to give a man what is called a 'stalker's eye,' but which, par excellence, is the soldier's eye.”

“To the man who reads 'Scouting for Boys' superficially, there is a disappointing lack of religion in the book. But to him who tries it in practice, the basic religion underlying it soon becomes apparent.”

“Giving responsibility is the key to success with boys, especially with the rowdiest and most difficult boys.”

“Show me a poorly uniformed troop and I'll show you a poorly uniformed leader.”

“It is often useful, if an enemy happens to see you, to pretend that you have not seen him. Or it may sometimes be useful to pretend that you have other men with you. I did this once in the Boer War when, having crept up a donga to look at a Boer fort, I was seen by the enemy, and they came out to capture me.”

“A boy carries out suggestions more wholeheartedly when he understands their aim.”

“A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens.”

“I believe that God put us in this jolly world to be happy and enjoy life.”

“Scouting is nothing less than applied Christianity.”

“Scoutcraft is a means through which the veriest hooligan can be brought to higher thought and to the elements of faith in God; and, coupled with the Scout's obligation to do a good turn every day, it gives the base of Duty to God and to Neighbour on which the parent or pastor can build with greater ease the form of belief that is desired.”

“The more responsibility the Scoutmaster gives his patrol leaders, the more they will respond.”

“Juvenile crime is not naturally born in the boy, but is largely due either to the spirit of adventure that is in him, to his own stupidity, or to his lack of discipline, according to the nature of the individual.”

“The most successful detectives owe their success to noticing small signs. Scouts are natural detectives and never let the smallest detail escape them. These small things are called by Scouts 'Sign.'”

“One of the powerful temptations is that of the cinema palace. The cinema has undoubtedly an enormous attraction for boys, and people are constantly cudgelling their brains how to stop it. But it is one of those things which would be very difficult to stop even if it were altogether desirable.”

“The method of instruction in Scouting is that of creating in the boy the desire to learn for himself.”

“To get a hold on boys you must be their friend.”

“The study of Nature brings into a harmonious whole the questions of the Infinite, the Historic, and the Microscopic as part of the Great Creator's work.”

“Happiness doesn't come from being rich, nor merely from being successful in your career, nor by self-indulgence. One step towards happiness is to make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man.”

“The spirit is there in every boy; it has to be discovered and brought to light.”

“In assisting his 'neighbour' every day to the best of his ability, and keeping truth, honesty, and kindness perpetually before him, the Boy Scout, with as little formality as possible, is pleasing God.”