What does the following oath mean to you: would you ever consider taking it?

Question

I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine.

Answer 1

It means that you live your life for your self and not others and that you don't want anyone to live for you. You are a free person and your life is yours alone. and yes because everything i do is for me and others should take care of them self's

Answer 2

Altho the independent part of me at first is drawn in by that, I realize I could not take that oath. I used to be a huge fan of
Ayn Rand in my teens and early 20's. At 59, whew, life can teach you a lot in 30 years. lol

Answer 3

It depends on the context of the question. If it means you pledge loyalty to the will of G-d, and not worship men, then I can see it's point.

But if it means one will not do anything for another person or be influenced by their ideals, then the oath is one for one who thinks a man is an island unto himself. In that case I disagree with it because it is righteous to do things for the sake or on behalf of others, especially in helping our fellow people in need.

Answer 4

No, I would not take such an oath. I think we are meant to live, at least in part, for the sake of others. I am a mother, daughter, sister, friend, relative and part of larger community and I give a part of my self and my life to all of them. I would give my life for my children.
And I would ask any of them to live for me if they were comtemplating taking their own lives.

Answer 5

This seems like a very childish, self-centered oath. Me me me me me!

Seriously, I hope no one would ever consider something like that. Donne's famous line speaks better to this than I ever could.

"If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

Answer 6

That is the negative form for the following oath or prayer:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestalt_prayer

I do my thing and you do your thing.
I am not in this world to live up to your expectations,
And you are not in this world to live up to mine.
You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it's beautiful.
If not, it can't be helped.
(Fritz Perls, 1969)

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestalt_prayer"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Perls

Answer 7

But they make you take an oath in court...

Answer 8

If someone paid me enough money , I'd take any oath. Then do whatever the hell I please.