_A Scout should be polite to all--but especially to women and
children, old people and invalids, cripples, etc. And he must not take
any reward for being helpful or courteous._
Courteousness is much the same sort of thing as Chivalry, which is
closely allied to Honour. Both were practised in the old days by the
Knight's, who went about risking their lives in order to defend and
help the weaker people, women and children, against bullies and
marauders.
Why did they do this?
It did not bring them money, for it would be a disgrace to a Knight to
accept any reward for doing a good turn. It only brought them danger
of wounds or death. It was an adventure. They were good sportsmen and
manly fellows. Their conscience told them that it was right for the
strong and plucky man to protect those who were weaker than himself.
They were not obliged to do it by the law of the land, but there was a
stronger law which appealed to them--and that was their own sense of
Honour which led them to be chivalrous men.
Honour was the _spirit_ that moved them;
Chivalry was the putting into practice what their Honour bade them do.
The ordinary boy has no chivalry--at least, he has got it all right
under the surface, only he is in the silly-ass stage, and he forgets
it. If he sees a poor hunchback or a cripple he will often laugh or
stare at him. He forgets that the other is an unfortunate, and has had
the bad luck to be born that way.
A healthy boy on seeing a deformed person ought to thank God that he
is himself sound in body and able to enjoy life, and he should do what
he can to make things pleasant for his less fortunate brother.
That, is what a Scout would do, because he is chivalrous.
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