oath

thumb|Henry Kissinger places his hand on a [[Hebrew Bible as he takes the oath of office as Secretary of State, 1973.]]

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An oath is a solemn promise or pledge, often made in formal settings like taking office, where a person swears to uphold certain duties or tell the truth. Oaths matter because they establish public commitment to important responsibilities and are often considered binding on a person's honor, integrity, or legal standing.

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Image: US Navy 030501-N-9214D-048 Sailors raise their right hands and take the oath of U.S. citizenship during a naturalization ceremony held at Cabrillo National Monument.jpg

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Commons category: Oaths
P8168: Matías González

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~13 min read

Article

20 sections

Contents

Etymology
Historical development as a legal concept
Jewish tradition
Roman tradition
Hindu tradition
Greek tradition
Christian tradition
Islamic tradition
Germanic tradition
Modern law
Hand gestures
Schwurhand
Serbian custom
International customs
Types of oaths
Notable oaths in history and fiction
See also
Notes
References
External links

thumb|Henry Kissinger places his hand on a [[Hebrew Bible as he takes the oath of office as Secretary of State, 1973.]]

Traditionally, an oath (from Anglo-Saxon ', also a plight) is a statement of fact or a promise taken by a sacrality as a sign of verity. A common legal substitute for those who object to making sacred oaths is to give an affirmation instead. Nowadays, even when there is no notion of sanctity involved, certain promises said out loud in ceremonial or juridical purpose are referred to as oaths. "To swear" is a verb used to describe the taking of an oath; to make a solemn vow.