Take heed lest your privileges become stumblingblocks to them that are weak.

Recompense to no man evil for evil.

Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Lie not to one another.

We that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.

Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

In religion, Saint Paul makes faith the fundamental principle; but at the same time he recognizes love as the fulfilling of the law10 and as the allsufficient motive to good conduct.11

We accept Moses and Paul as inspired teachers -as among the number of those prophets and apostles who received truth by divine revelation.

In concluding this chapter we may summarize the most distinctive doctrines of the nine great teachers studied as follows:

1. Confucius-Obedience to parents, reverence for authority.

2. Buddha-The blessedness of goodness (a negative sort of goodness, largely, and the blessedness of escape).

3. Zoroaster-Eternal vigilance against evil. 4. Socrates-Knowledge the key to virtue. 5. Plato The identity of beauty and goodness. 6. Aristotle-Justice the sum of all ethical virtues.

7. Zeno-An ideal of self-control.

8.

Moses-The divine authority of law.

9. Paul-Love the motive of all virtues.

CHAPTER VI

ETHICS IN THE LEARNED PROFESSIONS

"Speaking of Lincoln as a lawyer, Leonard Swett, his contemporary and friend, once told me that Lincoln was not worth a cent in a case in which he did not believe."-Judge Lambert Tree.

It is a very significant fact that those classes of citizens who have spent most time and effort in schools, preparing themselves for their work, are the ones who recognize most clearly their obligation to respect the principles and rules of good conduct. Clergymen, physicians, lawyers, and teachers all have definite codes of ethics. Every member of each one of these learned professions is expected to observe these codes with earnest care.

Let us give particular attention to some of these codes. Not only do they serve a good purpose among the members of the several cultured groups by which they have been adopted, but they also are admirably adapted to the interests of all good citizens. And the fact that the best educated men and women in the land discern their professional and civic obligations most clearly should serve to awaken every citizen to a study of the great questions of right and wrong.

Ethics and true religion are, of course, inseparable. Accordingly, every one expects the clergymen of our land to have a keen regard for the rights of all men and to practice carefully habits of good

conduct in all the relations of life. This being true and generally accepted without question, we need not go with any particularity into the ethics of the churchmen. Clergymen are as a rule, and always have been, the outstanding champions of clean politics, honest business, and upright living. This is an essential part of their calling; and their worth as mentors should be appreciated. Their fidelity to personal claims and to social welfare may be depended upon with confidence.

Among the oldest and most interesting of ethical codes are those of the medical profession, especially that of Hippocrates. More than two thousand years ago Hippocrates, a great and good physician of Greece, wrought and taught among the people of many cities. After he became skilful in his art he had as his patient one of his former teachers, Democritus of Abdera, whom he cured of insanity. He finally died at Larissa in Thessaly aged, it is said, more than a hundred years.

Some time after the death of Hippocrates it became customary for young physicians, just entering upon the profession, to subscribe to an elaborate promise as to what they would do and what not do in the practice of their art. This promise came to be known as the Hippocratic Oath. If Hippocrates did not himself prepare it, it must have been prepared by some one who cherished his teachings. It runs as follows:

I swear to reckon him who teaches me this art equally dear with my parents; to share my substance with him and to relieve his necessities if required, to look upon his offspring upon 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 by every other mode of instruction I will impart a knowledge of this art to my own sons, to those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath, according to the law of medicine, but to no others.

I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my best judgment, I consider best for my patients, and abstain from whatever is injurious. I will give no deadly medicine to one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel. Furthermore, I will not give to a woman an instrument to procure abortion. With purity and holiness will I pass my life and practice my art.

I will not cut a person who is suffering with stone, but will leave this to be done by those who are practitioners of such work. Into whatever house I enter I will go for the advantage of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further, from the seduction of females or males, bond or free. Whatever in connection with my professional practice, or not in connection with it, I may see or hear, I will not divulge, holding that all such things should be kept secret.

While I continue to keep this oath inviolate, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of my art, respected always by all men; but should I break through and violate this oath, may the reverse be my lot.