Friendship is a sacred appointed position. I believe that a friend should take an oath similar to that which a doctor swears. A friend should always help and never hinder. It is said that, “to him that is afflicted pity should be shown from his friend.”(JOB 6:14) I have been elated to see in these last years that my laughter is shared, but saddened to see my pain spread more freely. A man’s troubles should not bring happiness to his friends but time and time again I see it happen. It seems to me that much like doctors some friends take a “Hippo-critic Oath.” If there is a time for scorn then surely there must be a time for praise. I challenge my friends now to standup and answer the call and be found worthy of their post. I’m reminded of a quote from The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears! I come to bury Caesar not praise him.” I wholeheartedly expect that my apparent funeral eulogy will be converted into a rallying cry for the blood of my enemies. They wish to see my ruin but if I should fall much like Caesar it will take three good men to fill my position! I no longer wish my friends to stand behind me, but in front of me to shield me from the storm or if they dare; turn around, face me and see why friendship is the wiser stance.
The Oath of Friendship
You do solemnly swear, by the most sacred of trusts...
That you will be loyal to the post of a friend and just and generous to its members. That you will lead your lives and practice your art in uprightness and honor. That into whatsoever conversation you shall enter, it shall be for the good of your friend. You do so swear to the utmost of your power, your holding yourselves far aloof from wrong, from corruption, from the tempting of others to vice. From all undo evil. That you will exercise your art solely for the benefit of your friend, and will give no information, perform no inquiry, for the purposes of slander, even if solicited, and far less suggest it.
That you will be loyal to the post of a friend and just and generous to its members. That you will lead your lives and practice your art in uprightness and honor. That into whatsoever conversation you shall enter, it shall be for the good of your friend. You do so swear to the utmost of your power, your holding yourselves far aloof from wrong, from corruption, from the tempting of others to vice. From all undo evil. That you will exercise your art solely for the benefit of your friend, and will give no information, perform no inquiry, for the purposes of slander, even if solicited, and far less suggest it.
You do solemnly swear that whatsoever you shall see or hear of the lives of men or women which is not fitting to be spoken, that you will keep inviolably secret. These things do you swear. Let each bow the head as a sign of acquiescence. And now, if you will be true to this, your oath, may prosperity and good repute be ever yours; the opposite, if you shall prove yourselves forsworn.
