Leo Sher, M.D.

The Hippocratic Oath is one of the most widely recognized and enduring texts of ancient Greek medicine and remains a foundational symbol of medical ethics today. For centuries, it has served as a guiding framework for physicians, requiring new members of the profession to swear that they will uphold a set of professional and moral standards in their care of patients. The Oath emphasizes responsibility, integrity, and a commitment to place the welfare of the sick above personal interest. It is widely believed to have been written by Hippocrates himself or by one of his students within the Hippocratic school of medicine.

Hippocrates of Cos, or Hippokrates of Kos (ca. 460 BC – ca. 370 BC), was an ancient Greek physician of the Age of Pericles, a period often referred to as Classical Athens, marked by intellectual and cultural flourishing. He was remarkably ahead of his time in asserting that diseases arise from natural, rather than supernatural, causes and that illness should be understood through careful observation, reasoning, and systematic treatment. By separating medicine from superstition and religious explanations, Hippocrates helped establish the foundations of clinical practice and scientific inquiry in healthcare. For these contributions, he is considered one of the most influential figures in the history of medicine and is often referred to as the father of Western medicine.

The original, ancient Oath is a profoundly humanistic text that transcends its historical moment. It contains enduring moral principles and ethical obligations—compassion, confidentiality, nonmaleficence, and respect for teachers and patients—that remain essential for those dedicated to serving others. These values continue to guide physicians in making difficult clinical and ethical decisions. Throughout Western civilization, the Hippocratic Oath has stood as a timeless expression of the ideals and responsibilities that define the medical profession and has inspired generations of medical practitioners to approach their work with humility and integrity.

Beyond its historical and ethical importance, the oath also carries deep personal significance. It symbolizes commitment, responsibility, and solemnity—much like the meaningful rituals that mark the milestones of our lives, such as the birth of our children, the choice of life partners, and the burial of our loved ones. Taking the Oath represents a conscious pledge to serve humanity with compassion and competence, and it marks the transition from student to physician with both pride and accountability. For me, the Hippocratic Oath remains relevant every day of my professional life. It serves as a constant reminder of the trust patients place in their physicians and of the privilege and honor inherent in belonging to a profession devoted to healing and service. It challenges me to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compassion, and accountability in every decision I make on behalf of those in my care.

The original version of the Hippocratic Oath:

“I swear by Apollo the physician, and Asclepius, and Hygieia and Panacea, and all the gods and goddesses as my witnesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this contract:

To hold him who taught me this art as dear to me as my parents, to share my life with him, and to fulfill his needs when required; to regard his offspring as equal to my own siblings, and to teach them this art, if they wish to learn it, without fee or contract; and by set rules, lectures, and every other mode of instruction, to impart knowledge of the art to my own sons, to those of my teachers, and to students bound by this contract and having sworn this Oath to the law of medicine, but to no others.

I will use dietary regimens that benefit my patients according to my greatest ability and judgment, and I will do no harm or injustice to them.

I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if asked, nor will I advise such a plan; similarly, I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.

In purity and according to divine law, I will carry out my life and my art.

I will not use the knife, even upon those suffering from stones, but will leave such procedures to those trained in this craft.

Into whatever homes I enter, I will go for the benefit of the sick, avoiding any voluntary act of impropriety or corruption, including the seduction of women or men, whether free or enslaved.

Whatever I see or hear in the lives of my patients, whether in connection with my professional practice or not, which ought not to be spoken of outside, I will keep secret, considering all such things to be private.

So long as I maintain this Oath faithfully and without corruption, may it be granted to me to enjoy life fully and practice my art, gaining the respect of all people for all time. However, should I transgress this Oath and violate it, may the opposite be my fate.”

The original Hippocratic Oath was translated by Michael North and published by the National Library of Medicine in 2002 (1).

Reference

1. URL: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/topics/greek-medicine/index.html