The young men of ancient Athens repeated the Athenian Oath when they reached the age of seventeen. The essence of the oath emphasizes loyalty and obligation to the polis and its citizens.
We will never bring disgrace on this our City by an act of dishonesty or cowardice.
We will fight for the ideals and Sacred Things of the City both alone and with many.
We will revere and obey the City’s laws, and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above us who are prone to annul them or set them at naught.
We will strive increasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty.
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Thus in all these ways we will transmit this City, not only not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.