Gibbs Rules (NCIS)
![](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1379954389/user/steve-marsi)
Leroy Jethro Gibbs' rules for life, both simple and profound, have been laid out over 11 seasons of NCIS. He doesn't always follow them and there are plenty he hasn't revealed yet, but here's the complete collection as we know it.
1. Rule #1 (Mike)
![At home with gibbs](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--r7xtQMgX--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371133159/at-home-with-gibbs.png)
Never let suspects stay together. (Season 1 Episode 1, Mike Franks)
Rule #1
2. Rule #1 (Gibbs)
![Gibbs packing](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--xDAwBJn5--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371213383/gibbs-packing.png)
Never screw over your partner. (Season 4, Episode 14, Gibbs)
Rule #1
3. Rule #2
![Tv fanatic placeholder](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--9IagzSir--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1705522927/tv-fanatic-placeholder.jpg)
Always wear gloves at a crime scene. (Season 1, Episode 1, Mike Franks)
Rule #2
4. Rule #3 (Mike)
![Mike franks support](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--ExIcZPUS--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1381249073/mike-franks-support.jpg)
Don't believe what you're told. Double check. (Season 1, Episode 1, Mike Franks)
Rule #3
5. Rule #3 (Gibbs)
![The stolen drone](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--GlDBKGkw--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1388706785/the-stolen-drone.jpg)
Never be unreachable. (Season 3, Episode 13, Gibbs)
Rule #3
6. Rule #4
![Our fearless leader](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--TJ235uZY--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371225453/our-fearless-leader.png)
The best way to keep a secret? Keep it to yourself. Second best? Tell one other person, if you must. There is no third best. (Season 4, Episode 11)
Rule #4
7. Rule #5
![Pic from ncis](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--6lv9KXId--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371132561/pic-from-ncis.png)
You don't waste good. (Season 8, Episode 22)
Rule #5
8. Rule #6
![Leroy jethro gibbs picture](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--GY1xANTR--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371132324/leroy-jethro-gibbs-picture.png)
Never apologize. (Season 7, Episode 12, but referenced previous times without a number attached)
Rule #6
9. Rule #7
![Mark harmon as gibbs](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--vsM_NTWZ--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371232719/mark-harmon-as-gibbs.png)
Always be specific when you lie. (Season 1, Episode 23)
Rule #7
10. Rule #8
![A leroy jethro gibbs picture](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--y1akMqjR--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371237233/a-leroy-jethro-gibbs-picture.png)
Never take anything for granted. (Season 3, Episode 10)
Rule #8
11. Rule #8 (Alternate Version)
![Gibbs man of few words](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--cQzquLA2--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371236123/gibbs-man-of-few-words.png)
Never assume. (Season 9, Episode 21)
Rule #8
12. Rule #9
![Ncis trio](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--FWZHqrpK--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371133513/ncis-trio.png)
Never go anywhere without a knife. (Season 1, Episode 13)
Rule #9
13. Rule #10
![Vance gibbs picture](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--IG33YIrA--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371222308/vance-gibbs-picture.png)
Never get personally involved on a case. (Season 7, Episode 21)
Rule #10
14. Rule #11
![Tony and gibbs pic](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--yp-GhnEg--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371229663/tony-and-gibbs-pic.png)
When the job is done, walk away. (Season 6, Episode 24)
Rule #11
15. Rule #12
![Gibbs with tiva](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--fvd2w2t3--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371241098/gibbs-with-tiva.png)
Never date a coworker. (Season 1, Episode 15, and referenced on other occasions)
Rule #12
16. Rule #13
![At the crime scene ncis](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--382camZ0--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371240041/at-the-crime-scene-ncis.png)
Never, ever involve a lawyer. (Season 6, Episode 7; Gibbs is said to have other rules involving lawyers, but according to Tony, this is the "umbrella" one)
Rule #13
17. "Never leave behind loose ends."
![Lj gibbs pic](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--A7HTO5GD--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371217816/lj-gibbs-pic.png)
Never leave behind loose ends. (Season 3, Episode 24)
Rule #45
18. Rule #14
![Very special agents](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--7rUl-oyO--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371237734/very-special-agents.png)
Bend the line, don't break it. (Season 11, Episode 4)
Rule #14
19. Rule #15
![The ncis team](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--RdUc4Ukc--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371228025/the-ncis-team.png)
Always work as a team. (Season 5, Episode 5)
Rule #15
20. Rule #16
![Getting on board](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--oRcVMDrf--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371157807/getting-on-board.png)
If someone thinks they have the upper-hand, break it. (Season 8, Episode 24)
Rule #16
21. Rule #18
![Good cop bad cop photo](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--7Q2D_Hdh--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371132556/good-cop-bad-cop-photo.png)
It's better to seek forgiveness than ask permission. (Season 3, Episode 4)
Rule #18
22. Rule #22
![Gibbs interrogating](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--IILRMBvB--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1381172850/gibbs-interrogating.jpg)
Never, ever bother Gibbs in interrogation. (Season 4, Episode 10)
Rule #22
23. Rule #23
![Gibbs coffee shop](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--XAI0VY_h--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371226135/gibbs-coffee-shop.png)
Never mess with a Marine's coffee if you want to live. (Season 2, Episode 9)
Rule #23
24. Rule #27
![The man the myth the legend](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--PYwHmw9y--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371224835/the-man-the-myth-the-legend.png)
Rule #27: Two ways to follow: First way, they never notice you, Second way, they only notice you. (Season 7, Episode 15)
25. Rule #35
![Extreme prejudice pic](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--M1FYpgc2--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371234865/extreme-prejudice-pic.png)
Always watch the watchers. (Season 8, Episode 22)
Rule #35
26. Rule #36
![Jethro pic](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--Btv5gZ1r--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371241655/jethro-pic.png)
If feels like you're being played, you probably are. (Season 9, Episode 1)
Rule #36
27. Rule #38
![Gibbs duck](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--ncvoBZEO--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371134805/gibbs-duck.png)
Your case, your lead. (Season 6, Episode 16; Season 10, Episode 3)
Rule #38
28. Rule #39
![Gibbs and evidence](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--2xggQBzm--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371157840/gibbs-and-evidence.png)
There is no such thing as a small world. (Season 10, Episode 14)
Rule #39A
29. Rule #39 (Alternate Version)
![Abby and gibbs photo](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--1jl647nW--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371132766/abby-and-gibbs-photo.png)
There is no such thing as coincidence. (Season 7, Episode 21)
Rule #39
30. Rule #40
![Gibbs lj](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--g-nkALQm--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371219261/gibbs-lj.png)
If it seems someone is out to get you, they are. (Season 7, Episode 22)
Rule #40
31. Rule #42
![Banged up gibbs](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--1K1Hjqvk--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1381172851/banged-up-gibbs.jpg)
Never accept an apology from someone who just sucker punched you. (Season 9, Episode 16)
Rule #42
32. Rule #44
![Jethro](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--LWkl9U9A--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371163088/jethro.png)
First things first. Hide the women and children. (Season 7, Episode 23)
Rule #44
33. Rule #45
![Tony and gibbs](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--OAdWz_mf--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371131191/tony-and-gibbs.png)
Clean up your own mess. (Season 7, Episode 24)
Rule #45
34. Rule #51
![Rule 51](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--6D_QTwlg--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371163087/rule-51.png)
Sometimes you're wrong. (Season 7, Episode 24, titled "Rule Fifty-One")
Rule #51
35. Rule #62
![Smiling abby](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--SNNPY54t--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371238401/smiling-abby.png)
I know rule 62 is to always give people space when they get off the elevator but this is really important and I don't want to waste any time.
Abby
36. Rule #69
![Gibbs ryan](https://tv-fanatic-res.cloudinary.com/iu/s--Wo7dIG7z--/t_slideshow/cs_srgb,d_tv-fanatic-placeholder-square.png,f_auto,fl_strip_profile.lossy,q_auto:420/v1371226820/gibbs-ryan.png)
Never trust a woman who doesn't trust her man. (Season 9, Episode 7)
Rule #69