Oration on Plato, held by Conradus Lagus, when conferring the title of Master on some students, in the year 1538

In a very serious deliberation in Thucydides, the Spartan king Archidamus said that the discipline of his country was such that the citizens did not study the laws with eagerness, in order to win or to overthrow, but that they obeyed them without subterfuge [History 1.84.3]. I believe that respect for the laws is beneficial not only for the Spartans, but for all states anywhere in the world. Since this is so, it is honourable both for me and for you to preserve the degrees established in the schools, so that we may obey the laws which have been passed on to us by our ancestors not without serious reason. Therefore I praise your courtesy for having come together here in order to preserve public morals, and I entreat you to listen to my oration with a favourable mind, especially since I have not taken on this rôle out of confidence in my intellect, but the nature of the office imposes upon us the necessity of speaking on this occasion. I do not know how others are affected, but I can declare it of my own mind that these scholastic assemblies and gatherings are most agreeable to me for many reasons. For it delights me to see, so to speak, the protection of the state, that is, the elders, who are already leading the state by their counsel and authority, as well as this flower of youth, who will guide succeeding generations.