The Oath of Hippocrates
Hippocrates (470 – 460 B.C), became the greatest Greek doctor in his time, and his Commandments have become the professional ethical standards of all Doctors Worldwide as well as the Oath of this noble career. Then the term “The Oath of Hippocrates” is often used with the extended social meaning to many other careers.
Any Religion has its own Commandments. Moreover, if anyone has the supreme Oath of Life and Labor, they themselves have their own “Religion” in their journey of Life. A person’s career cannot be seen via accomplishments but “Religion”. Carrying out a job does not aim at the final achievements but the achievements gained in every circumstance. From this practice, it is the orientation from Guidelines to Accomplishments, so all people can come in for their achievements and do not look up to the person who creates these accomplishments.
“…to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look up his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according the law of medicine, but to none others.
“I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous”.
“I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give a woman a pastry to produce abortion”.
“With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my art”.
“I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work”.
“Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves”.
“Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret”.
“While I continue to keep this oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot!”
As we reread these above sentences, we realize that “such Oaths” are not merely moral lessons and come out of real life. Moreover, these Oaths are for the professional standards of Human, come out of temptation, and aim at morality in real life as well as psychology of all normal people. Moreover, these Oaths are not merely the theory for teaching everyone but can be found in the behaviors of lots of high position people. In addition, the content of these Oaths together with their meaning makes a group of people feel touched and flares up the life spirit of all classes and people out of the scope of time, geographical boundary, as well as cultural difference.
What are the challenges of the real Life? There are some ways to earn an honest living for each person. A normal people’s morality is degraded due to their wave-like hardship. The person who can overcome hardship and keep himself/herself useful for the Community may become the God and the Symbol worshipped by those experiencing all difficulties and not being believed in as time passes by.
