Home : The Hippocratic Oath
I swear by Apollo the healer, by Aesculapius, by Health and all the powers of healing, and call to witness all the gods
and goddesses that I may keep this Oath and Promise to the best of my ability and judgment.
I will pay the same respect to my master in the Science as to my parents and share my life with him and pay all my debts
to him. I will regard his sons as my brothers and teach them the Science, if they desire to learn it, without fee or
contract. I will hand on precepts, lectures, and all other learning to my sons, to those of my master and to those pupils
duly apprenticed and sworn, and to none other.
I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and judgment; I will abstain from harming or wrongdoing any
man by it.
I will not give a fatal draught to anyone if I am asked, nor will I suggest any such thing. Neither will I give a woman
means to procure an abortion.
I will be chaste and religious in my life and in my practice.
I will not cut, even for the stone, but I will leave such procedures to the practitioners of that craft.
Whenever I go into a house, I will go to help the sick and never with the intention of doing harm or injury. I will not abuse
my position to indulge in sexual contacts with the bodies of women or of men, whether they be freemen or slaves.
Whatever I see or hear, professionally or privately, which ought not to be divulged, I will keep secret and tell no one.
If, therefore, I observe this Oath and do not violate it, may I prosper both in my life and in my profession, earning good
repute among all men for all time. If I transgress and forswear this Oath, may my lot be otherwise.
Translated by J. Chadwick and W.N. Mann, Penguin Books, 1950, Hippocratic Writings