Mariners 1000 years ago guided their sails with the compass that was actually invented by the Chinese.  It was their direction and without it they were lost.  It guided them from danger and kept them on the proper course in life.

You will notice the North is the Flour-de-le and the BSA developed the emblem of the BSA from the North symbol of the Mariner's compass.  Boy scouts points you in the right direction in life and if you follow the scout law and promise, then you will go the correct course in life.  Boy Scouts is your compass and if you will follow it then you will not get lost.