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THE OATH OF HIPPOCRATES

I SWEAR by Apollo the physician and AEsculapius, and Health,
and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my
ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation
-- to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my
parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities
if required; to look upon his offspring in 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
every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art
to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by
a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none
others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to
my ability and judgement, I consider for the benefit of my patients,
and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will
give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such
counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to
produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life
and practice my Art. I will not cut persons labouring under the stone,
but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this
work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the
benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of
mischief and corruption; and, further, from the seduction of females
or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my
professional service, or not in connection with it, I see or hear,
in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will
not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While
I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me
to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men,
in all times. But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the
reverse be my lot.

See Also: affiance, assurance, betroth, commit, dedicate, devote, engage, give, pledge, pledge, plight, profess, swear

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Definition:
\Vow\, n. [OE. vou, OF. vou, veu, vo, vu, F. v?u, from L.
votum, from vovere, to vow. Cf. {Avow}, {Devout}, {Vote}.]
1. A solemn promise made to God, or to some deity; an act by
which one consecrates or devotes himself, absolutely or
conditionally, wholly or in part, for a longer or shorter
time, to some act, service, or condition; a devotion of
one's possessions; as, a baptismal vow; a vow of poverty.
``Nothing . . . that may . . . stain my vow of Nazarite.''
--Milton.

I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow. --2 Sam. xv.
7.

I am combined by a sacred vow. --Shak.

2. Specifically, a promise of fidelity; a pledge of love or
affection; as, the marriage vow.

Knights of love, who never broke their vow; Firm to
their plighted faith. --Dryden.

\Vow\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Vowed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Vowing}.] [OE. vouen, OF. vouer, voer, F. vouer, LL. votare.
See {Vow}, n.]
1. To give, consecrate, or dedicate to God, or to some deity,
by a solemn promise; to devote; to promise solemnly.
``When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.''
--Eccl. v. 4.

[Men] that vow a long and weary pilgrimage. --Shak.

2. To assert solemnly; to asseverate.

\Vow\, v. i.
To make a vow, or solemn promise.

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that
thou shouldest vow and not pay. --Eccl. v. 5.

We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our
fortunes, and our sacred honor. --The
Declaration of
Independence.

Main article: Australian nationality law
Officially called the "Pledge of Commitment":

From this time forward, under God,
I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,
whose democratic beliefs I share,
whose rights and liberties I respect, and
whose laws I will uphold and obey.

South Africa

I, [name], do hereby solemnly declare that I will be loyal to the Republic of South Africa, promote all that will advance it and oppose all that may harm it, uphold and respect its Constitution and commit myself to the furtherance of the ideals and principles contained therein.

Namo Gurubhay. Namo Buddhaya. Namo Dharmaya. Namo Sanghaya.
With the Deities of Heaven and Earth as my witness and through my utter determination and resolve, I solemnly declare with one heart and mind that I will be true and faithful to His Holiness the Dalai Lama, in whom I take refuge, and further I do without deceit plight to love all that he loves and shun all that he shuns, in accordance with the Most Holy Dharma and the order of the world. Nor will I ever with will or action, through thought, word, or deed, do anything that is unpleasing to him or cause him any harm, so help me the Triple Jewel. May all the Buddhas in all the directions ratify and bless this oath.