The Oath
= Which ONE? =
= Deserves the Highest Honor =

Our Duty:

The Hippocratic Oath is one of the oldest and most influential binding documents in history, written in ancient Greek around the 5th century B.C.E. (400 BC).

[Because it is a historical text, it has two major forms used today: the Classical Version (translated from the original Greek) and the Modern Version (written in 1964 by Dr. Louis Lasagna, which is most commonly used in modern medical graduations). Both copies are provided below:]

Now this raises the question: 

Should not our Vow to God (our: Oath, Internal Commitment, Mission Statement),
and Whole Duty To God, (The Creator of the Universe, and the Giver of Salvation),
be just as an important and sacred dedication, as that of a doctor to do his medicine?

In other words, should we pay less respect

•  to the the One who created us?

• than to the one who employs us?

The most widely accepted modern adaptation of the Hippocratic Oath is the Declaration of Geneva, adopted by the World Medical Association (WMA). It was first established in 1948 and last updated with modern ethical standards in October 2017.

The Declaration of Geneva (Modern Physician's Pledge)

AS A MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION:

• I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE to dedicate my life to the service of humanity;

• THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING of my patient will be my first consideration;

• I WILL RESPECT the autonomy and dignity of my patient;

• I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life;

• I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;

• I WILL RESPECT the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;

• I WILL PRACTICE my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice;

• I WILL FOSTER the honor and noble traditions of the medical profession;

• I WILL GIVE to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect and gratitude that is their due;

• I WILL SHARE my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of healthcare;

• I WILL ATTEND to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard;

• I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;

• I MAKE THESE PLEDGES solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.

Key Differences from the Ancient Oath

• Inclusivity: The ancient text swore by Greek gods (Apollo, Asclepius); the modern version is entirely secular.

• Patient Rights: The modern pledge explicitly protects patient autonomy, dignity, and anti-discrimination.

• Self-Care: The 2017 revision added a clause requiring doctors to maintain their own health to prevent burnout and medical errors.

• Post-Mortem Privacy: The modern version ensures patient secrets remain protected even after death.

Key Historical Elements Traced in the Texts

• The "Bargain": The classical version was essentially a guild contract, forcing students to support their teachers financially and teach their children for free.

• No Knife Rule: Ancient physicians separated medicine (diet and lifestyle) from surgery (using a knife), which is why the old text leaves surgical cutting to specialized "practitioners of that craft". 

• Confidentiality: Both versions establish medical privacy as a foundational human right.