Scout Motto

This is a page about the Scout motto. For other uses, see Be Prepared (disambiguation)

Be Prepared is the motto of the Scout Movement. In various languages, it has been used by millions of Scouts around the world since 1907.

In the third part of 'Scouting for Boys' dated February 12, 1908, Lord Baden-Powell explians the meaning of the phrase "Be Prepared":

The Scout Motto is: BE PREPARED which means you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your DUTY.

• Be Prepared in Mind by having disciplined yourself to be obedient to every order, and also by having thought out beforehand any accident or situation that might occur, so that you know the right thing to do at the right moment, and are willing to do it.
• Be Prepared in Body by making yourself strong and active and able to do the right thing at the right moment, and do it.

Over time, the deeper meaning seems to have been largely forgotten.

Of course, it is no coincidence that this motto can be shortened to B. P. and Baden-Powell, the founder of the movement, used to shorten his surname into B.-P.

Acrostic Poem

The following acrostic poem illustrates the Scout Motto:

• Bravery
• Enterprise

• Purpose
• Resolution
• Endurance
• Partnership
• Assurance
• Reformation
• Enthusiasm
• Devotion

In various languages

• Arabic: كن مستعدين (Kun Musta'idan)
• Armenian: Misht Badrast
• Azeri: Daima Hazir
• Belarusian: Napagatovye
• Chinese: 準備
• Croatian: Budi Pripraven
• Czech: Bud Připraven
• Dutch: Weest Paraat / Wees bereid
• English: Be Prepared
• Esperanto: Estu preta
• Estonian: Ole Valmis
• Filipino (Tagalog): Laging Handâ (literally, always prepared)
• Finnish: Ole valmis
• French: Sois Prêt or Toujours Prêt
• Georgian: იყავი მზად (ikavi mzad)
• German: Allzeit bereit
• Greek: Έσω Έτοιμος
• Hebrew: היה נכון (heye nachon)
• Hungarian: Légy Résen
• Irish: Bí Ullamh
• Italian: Sii Preparato (the latin expression Estote Parati is also used very often in Italy)
• Japanese: Sonae-yo Tsuneni
• Kyrgyz: Dayar Bol
• Latvian: Esi Modrs
• Latin: Estote Parati
• Lithuanian: Budek
• Macedonian: Budi Spreman
• Malay: Selalu Bersedia
• Maltese: Kun Lest
• Mongol: Belen Bol
• Norwegian: Alltid Beredt
• Pashto: Tayar Osay
• Persian: Aamaadeh Baash
• Polish: Czuwaj
• Portuguese: Sempre Alerta
• Russian: Будь готов (Bud' Gotov)
• Serbian: Budi Spreman
• Shqiptar: Ji Gati or Pergatitu
• Slovenian: Bodi pripravljen or Bud Pripavany
• Spanish: Siempre Listo or Siempre Alerta ("always ready", "always alert")
• Swedish: Var redo
• Thai: จงเตรียมพร้อม
• Turkmen: Daima Häzir
• Uighur: Tayyar Bol
• Ukrainian: Hotuis
• Vietnamese: Sắp Sẵn