De legibus-Treatise on Law : Marcus Tullius Cicero

It is my intention to do so; and since you urge me to these discussions, I will endeavour to bring our argument to a conclusion, and if possible, in the course of the day. For I find my predecessor Plato did the same, and got through each legal disquisition in a summer day’s conference. I will, therefore, try to imitate him, and will next speak of magisterial laws; for after those of religion, the state hath nothing more important-Pergam equidem, et quoniam libitum est vobis me ad haec inpellere, hodierno sermone conficiam, spero, hoc praesertim die; video enim Platonem idem fecisse, omnemque orationem eius de legibus peroratam esse uno aestivo die. Sic igitur faciam, et dicam de magistratibus. Id enim est profecto quod constituta religione rem publieam contineat maxime.