1The highest dignity belongs to those who excel in military renown; 1for everything that belongs to the empire and the constitution of the state is thought to be defended and strengthened by them; 1the highest usefulness too, since it is through their counsel and danger that we can enjoy both the state and our own property. 1Weighty too and full of dignity is that ability in speaking which has often counted in choosing a consul: the power to move by counsel and speech the minds of the senate, the people and those who sit in judgement. 1A consul is sought who may sometimes check by his speaking the frenzies of the tribunes, who may turn an aroused people, who may resist bribery.
1No wonder if because of this ability even men not of noble birth have often won the consulship, especially since this same thing produces very many obligations, very firm friendships and the greatest support. 1Of these things, Sulpicius, there is nothing in that craft of yours. 25First, there can be no dignity in so slight a science; 25for its matters are small, occupied almost with single letters and the punctuation of words. 25Secondly, even if in the time of our ancestors there was anything in that pursuit to admire, now that your mysteries have been divulged it has all been despised and cast aside. 25Whether an action at law could be brought or not was once known to few; 25for people generally did not have the calendar.
25Those who were consulted were very powerful; 25from them even the days were sought, as if from Chaldaean astrologers. 25A certain clerk was found, Flavius, to pierce the crows' eyes, publish the calendar for the people so that they could learn each day by heart, and plunder their wisdom from these very cautious jurisconsults. 25So they in anger, because they feared that, once the reckoning of days was published and known, actions might be brought without their help, composed certain formulas so that they themselves might take part in every matter.