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400 BC
THE LAW
by Hippocrates
translated by Francis Adams
Medicine is of all the Arts the most noble； but； not withstanding；
owing to the ignorance of those who practice it； and of those who；
inconsiderately； form a judgment of them； it is at present far
behind all the other arts。 Their mistake appears to me to arise
principally from this； that in the cities there is no punishment
connected with the practice of medicine （and with it alone） except
disgrace； and that does not hurt those who are familiar with it。
Such persons are like the figures which are introduced in tragedies；
for as they have the shape； and dress； and personal appearance of an
actor； but are not actors； so also physicians are many in title but
very few in reality。
2。 Whoever is to acquire a competent knowledge of medicine； ought to
be possessed of the following advantages： a natural disposition；
instruction； a favorable position for the study； early tuition； love
of labor； leisure。 First of all； a natural talent is required； for；
when Nature opposes； everything else is in vain； but when Nature leads
the way to what is most excellent； instruction in the art takes place；
which the student must try to appropriate to himself by reflection；
becoming an early pupil in a place well adapted for instruction。 He
must also bring to the task a love of labor and perseverance； so
that the instruction taking root may bring forth proper and abundant
fruits。
3。 Instruction in medicine is like the culture of the productions of
the earth。 For our natural disposition is； as it were； the soil； the
tenets of our teacher are； as it were； the seed； instruction in
youth is like the planting of the seed in the ground at the proper
season； the place where the instruction is communicated is like the
food imparted to vegetables by the atmosphere； diligent study is
like the cultivation of the fields； and it is time which imparts
strength to all things and brings them to maturity。
4。 Having brought all these requisites to the study of medicine； and
having acquired a true knowledge of it； we shall thus； in traveling
through the cities； be esteemed physicians not only in name but in
reality。 But inexperience is a bad treasure； and a bad fund to those
who possess it； whether in opinion or reality； being devoid of
self…reliance and contentedness； and the nurse both of timidity and
audacity。 For timidity betrays a want of powers； and audacity a want
of skill。 There are； indeed； two things； knowledge and opinion； of
which the one makes its possessor really to know； the other to be
ignorant。
5。 Those things which are sacred； are to be imparted only to
sacred persons； and it is not lawful to import them to the profane
until they have been initiated in the mysteries of the science。
THE END