Guide to the Perplexed: The Code of the Cowboy

0 Comments | Insight on the News, August 20, 2001 | by John Elvin

Business guru Harvey McKay says that singing cowboy Gene Autry came up with a set of rules that could serve to distinguish "a great employee, boss or business." Maybe this credo provides the answer to a question this columnist heard a prominent conservative politician mutter under his breath when faced with a perplexing problem some years back: "What would John Wayne do?"

Autry called his rules, written in 1939, the "Cowboy Code." Here it is:

The Cowboy must never shoot first, hit a smaller man or take unfair advantage.

He must never go back on his word or a trust confided to him.

He must always tell the truth.

He must be gentle with children, the elderly and animals.

He must not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.

He must help people in distress.

He must be a good worker.

He must keep himself clean in thought, speech, action and personal habits.

He must respect women, parents and the nation's laws.

The Cowboy is a patriot.