Oaths

The engagement itself is sufficiently binding, the oaths being only added to give it the greater sanctity.

Consequently in a case, where a sworn treaty or engagement may happen to clash with another not enforced by the obligation of an oath, the preference ought to be given to the former.

At the same time it was observed, that a sworn declaration is not like one of any other kind, where an application of terms different from their usual meaning may supply the speaker with an excuse for evading their import.

for a confession made during torture is null, if it be not afterwards confirmed by an oath;

There is a palpable contradiction between the laws and the natural sentiments of mankind, in the case of oaths which are administered to a criminal to make him speak the truth, when the contrary is his greatest interest.

Accordingly, the gnostic keeps his oath well, yet is not prone to swearing, coming to swear but rarely, and even then in the manner we have described.

But the one who is once faithful—how could he show himself faithless, so as even to need an oath, and not rather make his very life a firm and fixed oath?

but hold fast to what you are convinced is just, and bear it in mind until you vote, so that true to your oaths you may cast your votes against the counsels of the wicked.

Rather, recalling the occasions on which you have repaid the services rendered you, and remembering the inscription of Demophantus, already referred to by Phormio, on which it stands written and confirmed by oath that whoso shall suffer in defence of the democracy shall receive the same reward as Harmodius and Aristogiton, vote for the repeal of this law;

I was ready to swear by the most solemn of oaths, that I verily heard these statements from my father.

And, if my father refused to take the oath, as the plaintiff claims, or to make payment, how could he have escaped immediate condemnation?

Lysitheides, men of the jury, so long as my father lived, would probably not have wronged him either with or without an oath, for he had a regard for him;

it was none other than he who gave us his oaths to confirm these words;

For our enemies have sworn falsely by them, while we, with abundant possessions before our eyes, have steadfastly kept our hands therefrom because of our oaths by the gods;

For, in the first place, we are standing true to the oaths we took in the name of the gods, while our enemies have perjured themselves and, in violation of their oaths, have broken the truce.

And when they had come together, they passed a resolution to take the following oath, in company with such as desired to share in the peace:

So they decided to make an expedition against the Mantineans on the ground that, in violation of their oaths, they had proceeded in arms against the Tegeans.

But the Athenians and the others, after voting that both small and great cities alike should be independent, even as the King wrote, sent out the officers charged with administering the oath and directed them to administer it to the highest authorities in each city.