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Glad you warned me

Posted by Lotg on December 06, 2004

In Reply to: Glad you warned me posted by Bob on December 05, 2004

: : : : : : In the classic Hippocratic Oath, there was the demand to -- first--- do no harm to a patient. This phrase
: : : : : : is the sensible shorthand to an approach to actions of all kinds. It is instructive (and a bit stirring) to read the Classic Hippocratic Oath in the link below, and the modern one.

: : : : : : www.pbs.org/ wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_classical.html

: : : : : www.pbs.org/ wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_classical.html

: : : : Wow Ward, this one worries me. Do you mean that the best they have to offer is they'll try not to hurt us? I was hoping for a slightly greater commitment than that. ---GODDESS

: : : From my sister, a doctor in NZ:

: : : "You shall not kill, but shall not strive
: : : Officiously to keep alive".
: : : - Keith

: : Phew - we're planning a holiday in NZ. Glad you warned me about their medical standards. ---GODDESS

: The original quote came from
: Arthur Hugh Clough (1819-1861)

: The Latest Decalogue

: Thou shalt have one God only; who
: Would be at the expense of two?
: No graven images may be
: Worshipp'd, except the currency:
: Swear not at all; for, for thy curse
: Thine enemy is none the worse:
: At church on Sunday to attend
: Will serve to keep the world thy friend:
: Honour thy parents; that is, all
: From whom advancement may befall:
: Thou shalt not kill; but need'st not strive
: Officiously to keep alive:
: Do not adultery commit;
: Advantage rarely comes of it:
: Thou shalt not steal; an empty feat,
: When it's so lucrative to cheat:
: Bear not false witness; let the lie
: Have time on its own wings to fly:
: Thou shalt not covet; but tradition
: Approves all forms of competition.

Ah yes Bob, but... Thou shalt not kill; but need'st not strive
Officiously to keep alive:
...is a big improvement over 'first do no harm'. Well if I were a patient it would be. --GODDESS

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