ful deliberations required to preserve the lives and health of Thy crea-
tures."
Oath of Maimonides
A spirit of giving permeated Maimonides's every action in caring for
the sick. His physician oath describes the virtues of other centered-
ness, continuing education and quest for knowledge.
"The eternal providence has appointed me to watch over the life and
health of Thy creatures. May the love for my art actuate me at all time;
may neither avarice nor miserliness, nor thirst for glory or for a great
reputation engage my mind; for the enemies of truth and philanthropy
could easily deceive me and make me forgetful of my lofty aim of doing
good to Thy children. May I never see in the patient anything but a fellow
creature in pain.
• • •
Grant me the strength, time and opportunity always to correct what I
have acquired, always to extend its domain; for knowledge is immense
and the spirit of man can extend indefinitely to enrich itself daily with
new requirements. Today he can discover his errors of yesterday and
tomorrow he can obtain a new light on what he thinks himself sure of
today.
• • •
Oh, God, Thou has appointed me to watch over the life and death of Thy
creatures; here am I ready for my vocation and now I turn unto my call-
ing."
Quest for improvement
Maimonides distilled the act of healing to its very essence — love for
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