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Institutio Oratoria (Quintilian)
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Institutio Oratoria

Author: Quintilian
Translator: Harold Edgeworth Butler
1369
Totum
igitur
excutiamus
locum
,
quando
universam
institutionem
aggressi
sumus
.
Sufficiebant
alioqui
libri
duo
a
Domitio
Afro
in
hanc
rem
compositi
,
quem
adolescentulus
senem
colui
,
ut
non
lecta
mili
tantum
ea
,
sed
pleraque
ex
ipso
sint
cognita
.
Is
verissime
praecepit
primum
esse
in
hac
parte
officium
oratoris
,
ut
totam
causam
familiariter
norit
;
quod
sine
dubio
ad
omnia
pertinet
.
The whole subject, therefore, demands a thorough investigation, as the task which we have in hand is the complete education of an orator. Otherwise the two books written on this subject by Domitius Afer would suffice. I attended his lectures when he was old and I was young, and consequently have the advantage not merely of having read his book, but of having heard most of his views from his own lips. He very justly lays down the rule that in this connexion it is the first duty of an orator to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the case, a remark which of course applies to all portions of a speech.
1370
Id
quomodo
contingat
,
explicabimus
,
cum
ad
destinatum
huic
parti
locum
venerimus
.
Ea
res
suggeret
materiam
interrogationi
et
veluti
tela
ad
manum
subministrabit
;
eadem
docebit
,
ad
quae
iudicis
animus
actione
sit
praeparandus
.
Debet
enim
vel
fieri
vel
detrahi
testibus
fides
oratione
perpetua
,
quia
sic
quisque
dictis
movetur
,
ut
est
ad
credendum
vel
non
credendum
ante
formatus
.
How such knowledge may be acquired I shall explain when I come to the appropriate portion of this work. This knowledge will suggest material for the examination and will supply weapons ready to the speaker's hand: it will also indicate to him the points for which the judge's mind must be prepared in the set speech. For it is by the set speech that the credit of witnesses should be established or demolished, since the effect of evidence on the individual judge depends on the extent to which he has been previously influenced in the direction of believing the witness or the reverse. And since there are two classes of witnesses
1371
Et
quoniam
duo
genera
sunt
testium
,
aut
voluntariorum
aut
eorum
,
quibus
in
iudiciis
publicis
lege
denuntiari
solet
,
quorum
altero
pars
utraque
utitur
,
alterum
accusatoribus
tantum
concessum
est
,
separemus
officium
dantis
testes
et
refellentis
.
those who testify of their own free will and those who are summoned to attend in the public courts of whom the former are available to either party, the latter solely to the accusers, we must distinguish between the duties of the advocate who produces witnesses and the advocate who refutes them.
1372
Qui
voluntarium
producit
,
scire
quid
is
dicturus
sit
potest
;
ideoque
faciliorem
videtur
in
rogando
habere
rationem
.
Sed
haec
quoque
pars
acumen
ac
vigilantiam
poscit
,
providendumque
,
ne
timidus
,
ne
inconstans
,
He who produces a voluntary witness is in a position to know what he is likely to say: consequently the task of examining him would seem to be rendered easier. But even here such cases make a great demand on the acumen and watchfulness of the advocate, who must see that his witness is neither timid, inconsistent nor imprudent.
1373
ne
imprudens
testis
sit
;
turbantur
enim
et
a
patronis
diversae
partis
inducuntur
in
laqueos
et
plus
deprehensi
nocent
quam
firmi
et
interriti
profuissent
.
Multum
igitur
domi
ante
versandi
,
variis
percontationibus
,
quales
haberi
ab
adversario
possint
,
explorandi
sunt
.
Sic
fit
,
ut
aut
constent
sibi
aut
,
si
quid
titubaverint
,
opportuna
rursus
eius
a
quo
producti
sunt
interrogatione
velut
in
gradum
reponantur
.
In
iis
quoque
adhuc
,
For the opposing counsel have a way of making a witness lose his head or of leading him into some trap; and once a witness trips, he does more harm to his own side than he would have done good, had he retained his composure and presence of mind. The advocate must therefore put his witnesses through their paces thoroughly in private before they appear in court and must test them by a variety of questions such as may well be put to them by his opponent. The result will be that they will not contradict themselves or, if they do make some slip, can be set upon their feet again by a timely question from the advocate who produces them.
1374
qui
constiterint
sibi
,
vitandae
insidiae
;
nam
frequenter
subiici
ab
adversario
solent
et
omnia
profutura
polliciti
diversa
respondent
et
auctoritatem
habent
non
arguentium
illa
,
sed
confitentium
.
Still, even in the case of witnesses whose evidence is consistent, we must be on our guard against treachery. For such witnesses are often put up by one's opponent and, after promising to say everything that will help our case, give answers of exactly the opposite character and carry more weight by the admission of facts which tell against us than they would have done had they disproved them.
1375
Explorandum
igitur
,
quas
causas
laedendi
adversarium
adferant
;
nec
id
sat
est
inimicos
fuisse
,
sed
an
desierint
,
an
per
hoc
ipsum
reconciliari
velint
,
ne
corrupti
sint
,
ne
paenitentia
propositum
mutaverint
.
Quod
cum
in
iis
quoque
,
qui
ea
,
quae
dicturi
videntur
,
re
vera
sciunt
,
necessarium
est
praecavere
;
multo
magis
in
iis
,
qui
se
dicturos
,
quae
falsa
sunt
,
pollicentur
.
We must therefore discover what motives they have for doing our opponent a hurt, and the fact that they were once his enemies will not suffice our purpose: we must find out whether they have ceased to be ill-disposed to him or whether they desire by means of their evidence to effect a reconciliation with him, in order to assure ourselves that they have not been bribed or repented of their previous attitude and changed their purpose. Such precautions are necessary even with witnesses who know that what they propose to say is true; but it is still more necessary with those who promise to give false evidence.
1376
Nam
et
frequentior
eorum
paenitentia
est
et
promissum
suspectius
et
,
si
perseverarint
,
reprehensio
facilior
.
For experience shows that they are more likely to repent of their purpose, their promises are less to be relied on, and, if they do keep their promise, their evidence is easier to refute.
1377
Eorum
vero
,
quibus
denuntiatur
,
pars
testium
est
quae
reum
laedere
velit
,
pars
quae
nolit
,
idque
interim
scit
accusator
interim
nescit
.
Fingamus
in
praesentia
scire
;
in
utroque
tamen
genere
summis
artibus
interrogantis
opus
est
.
Witnesses appearing in answer to a subpoena may be divided into two classes: those who desire to harm the accused, and those who do not. The accuser sometimes is aware of their disposition, sometimes unaware. For the moment let us assume that he is aware of their disposition, although I must point out that in either case the utmost skill is required in their examination.
1378
Nam
si
habet
testem
cupidum
laedendi
,
cavere
debet
hoc
ipsum
,
ne
cupiditas
eius
appareat
,
nec
statim
de
eo
,
quod
in
iudicium
venit
,
rogare
,
sed
aliquo
circuitu
ad
id
pervenire
,
ut
illi
,
quod
maxime
dicere
voluit
,
videatur
expressum
;
nec
nimium
instare
interrogationi
,
ne
ad
omnia
respondendo
testis
fidem
suam
minuat
,
sed
in
tantum
evocare
eum
,
quantum
sumere
ex
uno
satis
sit
.
For if an advocate is producing a witness who is desirous of harming the accused, he must avoid letting this desire become apparent, and must not at once proceed to question him on the point at issue. On the contrary this point must be approached by a circuitous route in such a manner as to make it seem that the statement which the witness is really desirous of making has been forced from him. Again lie should not press the witness too much, for fear he should impair his credit by the glibness with which lie answers every question, but should draw from him just so much as may seem reasonable to elicit from a single witness.
1379
At
in
eo
,
qui
verum
invitus
dicturus
est
,
prima
felicitas
interrogantis
extorquere
quod
is
noluerit
.
Hoc
non
alio
modo
fieri
potest
quam
longius
interrogatione
repetita
.
Respondebit
enim
,
quae
nocere
causae
non
arbitrabitur
;
ex
pluribus
deinde
,
quae
confessus
erit
,
eo
perducetur
ut
quod
dicere
non
vult
negare
non
possit
.
Nam
,
On the other hand in the case of a witness who is reluctant to tell the truth, the essential for successful examination is to extort the truth against his will This can only be done by putting questions which have all the appearance of irrelevance. If this he done, he will give replies which he thinks can do no harm to the party which he favours, and subsequently will be led on from the admissions which he has made to a position which renders it impossible for him to deny the truth of the facts which he is reluctant to state.
1380
ut
in
oratione
sparsa
plerumque
colligimus
argumenta
,
quae
per
se
nihil
reum
aggravare
videantur
,
congregatione
deinde
eorum
factum
convincimus
,
ita
huiusmodi
testis
multa
de
anteactis
,
multa
de
insecutis
,
loco
,
tempore
,
persona
,
ceteris
est
interrogandus
,
ut
in
aliquod
responsum
incidat
,
post
quod
illi
vel
fateri
quae
volumus
necesse
sit
vel
iis
quae
iam
dixerit
repugnare
.
For just as in a set speech we usually collect detached arguments which in themselves seem innocuous to the accused, but taken together prove the case against him, so we must ask the reluctant witness a number of questions relative to acts antecedent or subsequent to the case, places, dates, persons, etcetera, with a view to luring him into some reply which will force him to make the admissions which we desire or to contradict his previous evidence.
1381
Id
si
non
contingit
,
reliquum
erit
,
ut
eum
nolle
dicere
manifestum
sit
,
protrahendusque
,
ut
in
aliquo
,
quod
vel
extra
causam
sit
,
deprehendatur
;
tenendus
etiam
diutius
,
ut
omnia
ac
plura
quam
res
desiderat
pro
reo
dicendo
suspectus
iudici
fiat
;
quo
non
minus
nocebit
,
quam
si
vera
in
reum
dixisset
.
If this fails, we must content ourselves with making it clear that he is reluctant to tell what he knows, and lead him with a view to tripping him up on some point or other, even though it be irrelevant to the case; we must also keep him in the witness-box for an unusual length of time, so that by saying everything that can be said and more than is necessary on behalf of the accused, he may be rendered suspect to the judge. Thus he will do the accused no less harm than if he had told the truth against him.
1382
At
si
(
quod
secundo
loco
diximus
)
nesciet
actor
,
quid
propositi
testis
attulerit
,
paulatim
et
,
ut
dicitur
,
pedetentim
interrogando
experietur
animum
eius
et
ad
id
responsum
quod
eliciendum
erit
per
gradus
ducet
.
But if (to proceed to our second supposition) the advocate does not know what the intentions of the witness may be, he must advance gradually inch by inch and sound him by examination and lead him step by step to the particular reply which it is desired to elicit.
1383
Sed
,
quia
nonnunquam
sunt
hae
quoque
testium
artes
,
ut
primo
ad
voluntatem
respondeant
,
quo
maiore
fide
diversa
postea
dicant
,
est
actoris
suspectum
testem
,
dum
prodest
,
dimittere
.
But since these witnesses are sometimes so artful that their first replies are designed to meet the wishes of the questioner, in order to win all the greater credit when subsequently they answer in a very different way, it will be the duty of the advocate to dismiss a suspect witness while he can still do so with advantage.
1384
Patronorum
in
parte
expeditior
,
in
parte
difficilior
interrogatio
est
.
Difficilior
hoc
,
quod
raro
unquam
possunt
ante
indicium
scire
,
quid
testis
dicturus
sit
;
expeditior
,
quod
,
cum
interrogandus
est
,
sciunt
quid
dixerit
.
In the case of advocates for the defence examination is in some respects easier, in some more difficult. It is more difficult because it is rarely possible for them to have any previous knowledge of what the witness is likely to say, and easier because, when they come to cross-examine, they know what he has already said.
1385
Itaque
,
quod
in
eo
incertum
est
,
cura
et
inquisitione
opus
est
,
quis
reum
premat
,
quas
et
quibus
ex
causis
inimicitias
habeat
:
eaque
in
oratione
praedicenda
atque
amolienda
sunt
,
sive
odio
conflatos
testes
sive
invidia
sive
gratia
sive
pecunia
videri
volumus
.
Et
si
deficietur
numero
pars
diversa
,
paucitatem
;
si
abundabit
,
conspirationem
;
si
humiles
producet
,
vilitatem
;
si
potentes
,
gratiam
oportebit
incessere
.
Consequently in view of the uncertainty involved, there is need for careful inquiry with a view to discovering the character of the witness against the accused and what are his motives for hostility and what its extent: and all such points about the witness should be set forth in advance and disposed of, whether we desire to represent the evidence against the accused as instigated by hatred, envy, bribery or influence. Further, if our opponents bring forward only a small number of witnesses, we must attack them on that head; if on the other hand they produce an excessive number, we must accuse them of conspiracy: if the witnesses are persons of inconspicuous rank, we must minimise their importance, while if they are powerful, we shall accuse our adversaries of bringing undue influence to bear.
1386
Plus
tamen
proderit
causas
,
propter
quas
reum
laedant
,
exponere
;
quae
sunt
variae
et
pro
condicione
cuiusque
litis
aut
litigatoris
.
Nam
contra
illa
,
quae
supra
diximus
,
simili
ratione
responderi
locis
communibus
solet
,
quia
ut
in
paucis
atque
humilibus
accusator
simplicitate
gloriari
potest
,
quod
neminem
praeter
eos
,
qui
possint
scire
,
quaesierit
et
multos
atque
honestos
commendare
aliquanto
est
facilius
.
It will, however, be still more helpful if we expose the motives which they have for desiring to injure the accused, and these will vary according to the nature of the case and the parties concerned. For the other lines of argument mentioned above are often answered by the employment of commonplaces on similar lines, since the prosecutor, if he produce but few witnesses of inconspicuous rank, can parade the simple honesty of his methods on the ground that he has produced none save those who are in a position to know the real facts, while if he produce a number of distinguished witnesses, it is even easier to commend them to the court.
1387
Verum
interim
et
singulos
ut
exornare
,
ita
destruere
contingit
,
aut
recitatis
in
actione
testimoniis
aut
testibus
nominatis
.
Quod
iis
temporibus
,
quibus
testis
non
post
finitas
actiones
rogabatur
,
et
facilius
et
frequentius
fuit
.
Quid
autem
in
quemque
testium
dicendum
sit
,
sumi
nisi
ex
ipsorum
personis
non
potest
.
But at times, just as we have to praise individual witnesses, so we may have to demolish them, whether their evidence has been given in documentary form or they have been summoned to appear in person. This was easier and of more frequent occurrence in the days when the examination of the witnesses was not deferred till after the conclusion of the pleading. With regard to what we should say against individual witnesses, no general rules can be laid down: it will depend on the personality of the witness.
1388
Reliquae
interrogandi
sunt
partes
.
Qua
in
re
primum
est
nosse
testem
.
Nam
timidus
terreri
,
stultus
decipi
,
iracundus
concitari
,
ambitiosus
inflari
potest
;
prudens
vero
et
constans
vel
tanquam
inimicus
et
pervicax
dimittendus
statim
vel
non
interrogatione
,
sed
brevi
interlocutione
patroni
refutandus
est
aut
aliquo
,
si
continget
,
urbane
dicto
refrigerandus
aut
,
si
quid
in
eius
vitam
dici
poterit
,
infamia
criminum
destruendus
.
It remains to consider the technique to be followed in the examination of witnesses. The first essential is to know your witness. For a timid witness may be terrorised, a fool outwitted, an irascible man provoked, and vanity flattered. The shrewd and self-possessed witness, on the other hand, must be dismissed at once as being malicious and obstinate; or refuted, not by cross-examination, but by a brief speech from the counsel for the defence; or may be put out of countenance by some jest, if a favourable opportunity presents itself; or, if his past life admits of criticism, his credit may be overthrown by the scandalous charges which can be brought against him.
1389
Probos
quosdam
et
verecundos
non
aspere
incessere
profuit
;
nam
saepe
,
qui
adversus
insectantem
pugnassent
,
modestia
mitigantur
.
Omnis
autem
interrogatio
aut
in
causa
est
aut
extra
causam
.
In
causa
,
sicut
accusatori
praecepimus
,
patronus
quoque
altius
et
unde
nihil
suspecti
sit
repetita
percontatione
,
priora
sequentibus
applicando
saepe
eo
perducit
homines
,
ut
invitis
quod
prosit
extorqueat
.
It has been found advantageous at times when confronted with an honest and respectable witness to refrain from pressing him hard, since it is often the case that those who would have defended themselves manfully against attack are mollified by courtesy. But every question is either concerned with the case itself or with something outside the case. As regards the first type of question counsel for the defence may, by adopting a method which I have already recommended for the prosecutor, namely by commencing his examination with questions of an apparently irrelevant and innocent character and then by comparing previous with subsequent replies, frequently lead witnesses into such a position that it becomes possible to extort useful admissions from them against their will.
1390
Eius
rei
sine
dubio
neque
disciplina
ulla
in
scholis
neque
exercitatio
traditur
,
et
naturali
magis
acumine
aut
usu
contingit
haec
virtus
.
Si
quod
tamen
exemplum
ad
imitationem
demonstrandum
sit
,
solum
est
,
quod
ex
dialogis
Socraticorum
maximeque
Platonis
duci
potest
;
in
quibus
adeo
scitae
sunt
interrogationes
,
ut
,
cum
plerisque
bene
respondeatur
,
res
tamen
ad
id
quod
volunt
efficere
perveniat
.
The schools, it is true, give no instruction either as to theory or practice in this subject, and skill in examination comes rather from natural talent or practice. If, however, I am asked to point out a model for imitation, I can recommend but one, namely that which may be found in the dialogues of the Socratics and more especially of Plato, in which the questions put are so shrewd that although individually as a rule the answers are perfectly satisfactory to the other side, yet the questioner reaches the conclusion at which he is aiming.
1391
Illud
fortuna
interim
praestat
,
ut
aliquid
,
quod
inter
se
parum
consentiat
,
a
teste
dicatur
;
interim
,
quod
saepius
evenit
,
ut
testis
testi
diversa
dicat
.
Acuta
autem
interrogatio
ad
hoc
,
quod
casu
fieri
solet
,
Fortune sometimes is so kind that a witness gives an answer involving some inconsistency, while at times (and this is a more frequent occurrence) one witness contradicts another. But acute examination methodically conducted will generally reach the same result which is so often reached by chance.
1392
etiam
ratione
perducet
.
Extra
causam
quoque
multa
,
quae
prosint
,
rogari
solent
,
de
vita
testium
aliorum
,
de
sua
quisque
,
si
turpitudo
,
si
humilitas
,
si
amicitia
accusatoris
,
si
inimicitiae
cum
reo
,
in
quibus
aut
dicant
aliquid
quod
prosit
,
aut
in
mendacio
vel
cupiditate
laedendi
deprehendantur
.
Sed
in
primis
interrogatio
cum
debet
esse
circumspecta
,
There are also a number of points strictly irrelevant to the case on which questions may be put with advantage. We may for example ask questions about the past life of other witnesses or about the witness' own character, with a view to discovering whether they can be charged with some disgraceful conduct, or degrading occupation, with friendship with the prosecutor or hostility toward the accused, since in replying to such questions they may say something which will help our cause or may be convicted of falsehood or of a desire to injure the accused. But above all our examination must be circumspect,
1393
quia
multa
contra
patronos
venuste
testis
saepe
respondet
,
eique
praecipue
vulgo
favetur
;
tum
verbis
quam
maxime
ex
medio
sumptis
,
ut
qui
rogatur
(
is
autem
est
saepius
imperitus
)
intelligat
aut
ne
intelligere
se
neget
,
quod
interrogantis
non
leve
frigus
est
.
since a witness will often launch some smart repartee in answering counsel for the defence and thereby win marked favour from the audience in general. Secondly, we must put our questions as far as possible in the language of everyday speech that the witness, who is often an uneducated man, may understand our meaning, or at any rate may have no opportunity of saying that he does not know what we mean, a statement which is apt to prove highly disconcerting to the examiner.
1394
Illae
vero
pessimae
artes
,
testem
subornatum
in
subsellia
adversarii
mittere
,
ut
inde
excitatus
plus
noceat
vel
dicendo
contra
reum
cum
quo
sederit
,
vel
,
cum
adiuvisse
testimonio
videbitur
,
faciendo
ex
industria
multa
immodeste
atque
intemperanter
,
per
quae
non
a
se
tantum
dictis
detrahat
fidem
,
sed
ceteris
quoque
,
qui
profuerant
,
auferat
auctoritatem
;
quorum
mentionem
habui
,
non
ut
fierent
,
sed
ut
vitarentur
.
Saepe
inter
se
collidi
solent
inde
testatio
hinc
testes
;
locus
utrinque
;
haec
enim
se
pars
iureiurando
,
ilia
consensa
signantium
tuetur
.
I must however express the strongest disapproval of the practice of sending a suborned witness to sit on the benches of the opposing party, in order that on being called into the witness-box from that quarter he may thereby do all the more damage to the case for the accused by speaking against the party with whose adherents he was sitting or, while appearing to help him by his testimony, deliberately giving his evidence in such an extravagant and exaggerated manner, as not only to detract from the credibility of his own statements, but to annul the advantage derived from the evidence of those who were really helpful. I mention this practice not with a view to encourage it, but to secure its avoidance. Documentary evidence is not frequently in conflict with oral. Such a circumstance may be turned to advantage by either side. For one party will rest its case on the fact that the witness is speaking on oath, the other on the unanimity of the signatories.
1395
Saepe
inter
testes
et
argumenta
quaesitum
est
.
Inde
scientiam
in
testibus
et
religionem
,
ingenia
esse
in
argumentis
dicitur
;
hinc
testem
gratia
,
metu
,
pecunia
,
ira
,
odio
,
amicitia
,
ambitu
fieri
;
argumenta
ex
natura
duci
,
in
his
iudicem
sibi
,
in
illis
alii
credere
.
Again there is often a conflict between the evidence and the arguments. One party will argue that the witnesses know the facts and are bound by the sanctity of their oath, while the arguments are nought but ingenious juggling with the facts. The other party will argue that witnesses are procured by influence, fear, money, anger, hatred, friendship, or bribery, whereas arguments are drawn from nature; in giving his assent to the latter the judge is believing the voice of his own reason, in accepting the former he is giving credence to another.
1396
Communia
haec
pluribus
causis
,
multumque
iactata
sunt
et
semper
tamen
iactabuntur
.
Aliquando
utrinque
sunt
testes
,
et
quaestio
sequitur
ex
ipsis
,
utri
meliores
viri
;
ex
causis
,
utri
magis
credibilia
dixerint
;
ex
litigatoribus
,
utri
gratia
magis
valuerint
.
Such problems are common to a number of cases, and are and will always be the subject of vehement debate. Sometimes there are witnesses on both sides and the question arises with regard to themselves as to which are the more respectable in character, or with regard to the case, which have given the more credible evidence, with regard to the parties to the case, which has brought the greater influence to bear on the witnesses.
1397
His
adiicere
si
qui
volet
ea
,
quae
divina
testimonia
vocant
,
ex
responsis
,
oraculis
,
ominibus
,
duplicem
sciat
esse
eorum
tractatum
;
generalem
alterum
,
in
quo
inter
Stoicos
et
Epicuri
sectam
secutos
pugna
perpetua
est
,
regaturne
providentia
mundus
;
specialem
alterum
circa
partes
divinationis
,
ut
quaeque
in
quaestionem
cadit
.
If to this kind of evidence anyone should wish to add evidence of the sort known as supernatural, based on oracles, prophecies and omens, I would remind him that there are two ways in which these may be treated. There is the general method, with regard to which there is an endless dispute between the adherents of the Stoics and the Epicureans, as to whether the world is governed by providence. The other is special and is concerned with particular departments of the art of divination, according as they may happen to affect the question at issue.
1398
Aliter
enim
oraculorum
aliter
haruspicum
augurum
,
coniectorum
,
mathematicorum
fides
confirmari
aut
refelli
potest
,
cum
sit
rerum
ipsarum
ratio
diversa
.
Circa
eiusmodi
quoque
instrumenta
firmanda
vel
destruenda
multum
habet
operis
oratio
,
si
quae
sint
voces
per
vinum
,
somnum
,
dementiam
emissae
,
vel
excepta
parvulorum
indicia
,
quos
pars
altera
nihil
fingere
,
altera
nihil
iudicare
dictura
est
.
Nec
tantum
praestari
hoc
genus
potenter
,
For the credibility of oracles may be established or destroyed in one way, and that of soothsayers, augurs, diviners and astrologers in another, since the two classes differ entirely in nature. Again the task of establishing or demolishing such evidence as the following will give the orator plenty to do; as for example if certain words have been uttered under the influence of wine, in sleep or in a fit of madness, or if information has been picked up from the mouths of children, whom the one party will assert to be incapable of invention, while the other will assert that they do not know what they are saying.
1399
sed
etiam
,
ubi
non
est
,
desiderari
solet
:
Pecuniam
dedisti
;
quis
numeravit
?
ubi
?
unde
?
Venenum
arguis
;
ubi
emi
?
a
quo
?
quanti
?
per
quem
dedi
?
quo
conscio
?
Quae
fere
omnia
pro
Cluentio
Cicero
in
crimine
veneficii
excutit
.
Haec
de
inartificialibus
quam
brevissime
potui
.
The following method may not merely be used with great effect, but may even be badly missed when it is not employed. You gave me the money. Who counted it out? Where did this occur and from what source did the money come? You accuse me of poisoning. Where did I buy the poison and from whom? What did I pay for it and whom did I employ to administer it? Who was my accomplice? Practically all these points are discussed by Cicero in dealing with the charge of poisoning in the pro Cluentio. This concludes my observations upon inartificial proofs. I have stated them as briefly as I could.
1400
Pars
altera
probationum
,
quae
est
tota
in
arte
constatque
rebus
ad
faciendam
fidem
appositis
,
plerumque
aut
omnino
negligitur
aut
levissime
attingitur
ab
iis
,
qui
argumenta
velut
horrida
et
confragosa
vitantes
amoenioribus
locis
desident
,
neque
aliter
quam
ii
,
qui
traduntur
a
poetis
gustu
cuiusdam
apud
Lotophagos
graminis
et
Sirenum
cantu
deleniti
voluptatem
saluti
praetulisse
,
dum
laudis
falsam
imaginem
persequuntur
,
ipsa
,
propter
quam
dicitur
,
victoria
cedunt
.
The second class of proofs are wholly the work of art and consist of matters specially adapted to produce belief. They are, however, as a rule almost entirely neglected or only very lightly touched on by those who, avoiding arguments as rugged and repulsive things, confine themselves to pleasanter regions and, like those who, as poets tell, were bewitched by tasting a magic herb in the land of the Lotus-eaters or by the song of the Sirens into preferring pleasure to safety, follow the empty semblance of renown and are robbed of that victory which is the aim of eloquence.
1401
Atqui
cetera
,
quae
continuo
magis
orationis
tractu
decurrunt
,
in
auxilium
atque
ornamentum
argumentorum
comparantur
,
nervisque
illis
,
quibus
causa
continetur
,
adiiciunt
inducti
super
corporis
speciem
:
ut
,
si
forte
quid
factum
ira
vel
metu
vel
cupiditate
dicatur
,
latius
,
quae
cuiusque
adfectus
natura
sit
,
prosequamur
.
Iisdem
laudamus
,
incusamus
,
augemus
,
minuimus
,
describimus
,
deterremus
,
querimur
,
consolamur
,
hortamur
.
And yet those other forms of eloquence, which have a more continuous sweep and flow, are employed with a view to assisting and embellishing the arguments and produce the appearance of super inducing a body upon the sinews, on which the whole case rests; thus if it is asserted that some act has been committed under the influence of anger, fear or desire, we may expatiate at some length on the nature of each of these passions. It is by these same methods that we praise, accuse, exaggerate, attenuate, describe, deter, complain, console or exhort.
1402
Sed
horum
esse
opera
in
rebus
aut
certis
aut
de
quibus
tanquam
certis
loquimur
potest
.
Nec
abnuerim
esse
aliquid
in
delectatione
,
multum
vero
in
commovendis
adfectibus
;
sed
haec
ipsa
plus
valent
,
cum
se
didicisse
iudex
putat
,
quod
consequi
nisi
argumentatione
aliaque
omni
fide
rerum
non
possumus
.
But such rhetorical devices may be employed in connexion with matters about which there is no doubt or at least which we speak of as admitted facts. Nor would I deny that there is some advantage to be gained by pleasing our audience and a great deal by stirring their emotions. Still, all these devices are more effective, when the judge thanks he has gained a full knowledge of the facts of the case, which we can only give him by argument and by the employment of every other known means of proof.
1403
Quorum
priusquam
partiamur
species
,
indicandum
est
esse
quaedam
in
omni
probationum
genere
communia
.
Nam
neque
ulla
quaestio
est
,
quae
non
sit
aut
in
re
aut
in
persona
;
neque
esse
argumentorum
loci
possunt
nisi
in
iis
,
quae
rebus
aut
personis
accidunt
,
Before, however, I proceed to classify the various species of artificial proof, I must point out that there are certain features common to all kinds of proof. For there is no question which is not concerned either with things or persons, nor can there be any ground for argument save in connexion with matters concerning things or persons, which may be considered either by themselves or with reference to something else;
1404
eaque
aut
per
se
inspici
solent
aut
ad
aliud
referri
;
nec
ulla
confirmation
nisi
aut
ex
consequentibus
aut
ex
repugnantibus
,
et
haec
necesse
est
aut
ex
praeterito
tempore
aut
ex
coniuncto
aut
ex
insequenti
petere
;
nec
ulla
res
probari
nisi
ex
alia
potest
,
eaque
sit
oportet
aut
maior
aut
par
aut
minor
.
while there can be no proof except such as is derived from things consequent or things opposite, which must be sought for either in the time preceding, contemporaneous with or subsequent to the alleged fact, nor can any single thing be proved save by reference to something else which must be greater, less than or equal to it.
1405
Argumenta
vero
reperiuntur
aut
in
quaestionibus
,
quae
etiam
separatae
a
complexu
rerum
personarumque
spectari
per
se
possint
,
aut
in
ipsa
causa
,
cum
invenitur
aliquid
in
ea
non
ex
communi
ratione
ductum
,
sed
eius
iudicii
,
de
quo
cognoscitur
,
proprium
.
Probationum
praeterea
omnium
aliae
sunt
necessariae
,
aliae
credibiles
,
aliae
non
repugnantes
.
As regards arguments, they may be found either in the questions raised by the case, which may be considered by themselves quite apart from any connexion with individual things or persons, or in the case itself, when anything is discovered in it which cannot be arrived at by the light of common reason, but is peculiar to the subject on which judgment has to be given. Further, all proofs fall into three classes, necessary, credible, and not impossible.
1406
Et
adhuc
omnium
probationum
quadruplex
ratio
est
,
ut
vel
quia
est
aliquid
,
aliud
non
sit
;
ut
Dies
est
,
nox
non
est
;
vel
quia
est
aliquid
,
et
aliud
sit
:
Sol
est
supra
terram
,
dies
est
;
vel
quia
aliquid
non
est
,
aliud
sit
:
Nox
non
est
,
dies
est
;
vel
quia
aliquid
non
est
,
nec
aliud
sit
:
Non
est
rationalis
,
nec
homo
est
.
His
in
universum
praedictis
partes
subiiciam
.
Again there are four forms of proof. First, we may argue that, because one thing is, another thing is not; as It is day and therefore not night. Secondly, we may argue that, because one thing is, another thing is; as The sun is risen, thereit is day. Thirdly, it may be argued that because one thing is not, another thing is; as It is not night, therefore it is day. Finally, it may be argued that, because one thing is not, another thing is not; as He is not a reasoning being, therefore he is not a man. These general remarks will suffice by way of introduction and I will now proceed to details.