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Hippocratic Oath


SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation- 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 upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall 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 to 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 to a woman a pessary 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!


Hippocratic Oath Formatted To Show Structure
Formatted by R. Ells


I SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that,

  • According to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation:
    • To reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents
    • To share my substance with him
    • Relieve his necessities if required
    • To look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers
    • To teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation

  • 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 to 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 to a woman a pessary 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!


Hippocratic Oath Editted For Brevity
Editted by R. Ells


I SWEAR by all the gods and goddesses, that,

  • According to my ability and judgment, I will ...
    • Honor my teacher
    • To share with my teacher and his family
    • Help meet my teacher's needs
    • Help my teacher's children learn the medical arts if they desire

  • I will ...
    • Teach these arts to my family, my teacher's family and to others bound by this oath but to no others.
    • Follow a life that benefits my patients and avoids what might harm them.
    • Give no deadly medicine, including for abortion.
    • Live a pure and holy life practicing medicine.
    • Leave treating kidney stones to others.
    • Enter others' homes only to help the sick and will avoid mischief, corruption, or seduction.
    • Respect the privacy of those I visit.

While I keep this Oath, may I be respected. If I break it, may I fail.


© Copyright 1997 University of Washington