Theses de iureiurando propter calumniam dando

with the beasts, and possesses nothing besides vices: if we weigh the wealth and resources and other comforts that have come to us from them, those things are fleeting, and in the moment of a single hour they can be consumed by fire, or plundered by enemies, or taken away by any other misfortune. But if we look at those by whose encouragement, counsel, and prudence we have become accustomed to virtues, imbued with good letters and studies, and elevated to honors and dignities, they truly seem to have, as it were, regenerated us and given us civil life, and therefore to have conferred more excellent benefits: which cannot be taken away by any weapons of fortune, which are accustomed to remain perpetually, and, as Cicero says, to travel and live in the countryside with us everywhere. As I consider this, most clear and learned men, I have the necessity to acknowledge you by this name, not undeservedly, as my civil fathers. For you, through your public recitations, both in the precepts of the rhetoricians and the laws of the jurists, not only faithfully instructed me for many years, but also showed all the duties of humanity and a zeal for teaching in receiving and advising me: nor content with that, you brought me forth into the public by writing, declaiming, and responding regarding the law: and thus, through your authority and prudence, you have promoted both myself and my studies diligently, and with such a willing spirit, that I ought deservedly to hold you not only as my teachers, but as my parents. Since all these things (so that the speech does not wander further) are such great benefits that they can hardly ever be justly recompensed by me: and since I know that it is the mark of a grateful spirit, if one cannot return the favor, at least to hold it and remember it:

therefore