Institutio Oratoria (Quintilian)

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	Institutio Oratoria Author: Quintilian	Translator: Harold Edgeworth Butler
3079	Itaque ne hoc quidem suaserim , uni se alicui proprie , quem per omnia sequatur , addicere . Longe perfectissimus Graecorum Demosthenes , aliquid tamen aliquo in loco melius alii , plurima ille . Sed non qui maxime imitandus , et solus imitandus est .	Consequently I should be reluctant even to advise a student to select one particular author to follow through thick and thin. Demosthenes is by far the most perfect of Greek orators, yet there are some things which others have said better in some contexts as against the many things which he has said better than others. But it does not follow that because we should select one author for special imitation, he should be our only model. What then?
3080	Quid ergo ? non est satis omnia sic dicere , quomodo M . Tullius dixit ? Mihi quidem satis esset , si omnia consequi possem . Quid tamen noceret vim Caesaris , asperitatem Caelii , diligentiam Pollionis , iudicium Calvi quibusdam in locis adsumere ?	Is it not sufficient to model our every utterance on Cicero? For my own part, I should consider it sufficient, if I could always imitate him successfully. But what harm is there in occasionally borrowing the vigour of Caesar, the vehemence of Caelius, the precision of Pollio or the sound judgment of Calvus?
3081	Nam praeter id quod prudentis est , quod in quoque optimum est , si possit , suum facere , tum in tanta rei difficultate unum intuentes vix aliqua pars sequitur . Ideoque cum totum exprimere quem elegeris paene sit homini inconcessum , plurium bona ponamus ante oculos , ut aliud ex alio haereat , et quod cuique loco conveniat aptemus .	For quite apart from the fact that a wise man should always, if possible, make whatever is best in each individual author his own, we shall find that, in view of the extreme difficulty of our subject, those who fix their eyes on one model only will always find some one quality which it is almost impossible to acquire therefrom. Consequently, since it is practically impossible for mortal powers to produce a perfect and complete copy of any one chosen author, we shall do well to keep a number of different excellences before our eyes, so that different qualities from different authors may impress themselves on our minds, to be adopted for use in the place that becomes them best.
3082	Imitatio autem ( nam saepius idem dicam ) non sit tantum in verbis . Illuc intendenda mens , quantum fuerit illis viris decoris in rebus atque personis , quod consilium , quae dispositio , quam omnia , etiam quae delectationi videantur data , ad victoriam spectent ; quid agatur prooemio , quae ratio et quam varia narrandi , quae vis probandi ac refellendi , quanta in adfectibus omnis generis movendis scientia , quamque laus ipsa popularis utilitatis gratia adsumpta , quae tum est pulcherrima , cum sequitur , non cum arcessitur . Haec si perviderimus , tum vere imitabimur .	But imitation (for I must repeat this point again and again) should not be confined merely to words. We must consider the appropriateness with which those orators handle the circumstances and persons involved in the various cases in which they were engaged, and observe the judgment and powers of arrangement which they reveal, and the manner in which everything they say, not excepting those portions of their speeches which seem designed merely to delight their audience, is concentrated on securing the victory over their opponents. We must note their procedure in the exordium, the method and variety of their statement of facts, the power displayed in proof and refutation, the skill revealed in their appeal to every kind of emotion, and the manner in which they make use of popular applause to serve their case, applause which is most honourable when it is spontaneous and not deliberately courted. If we have thoroughly appreciated all these points, we shall be able to imitate our models with accuracy.
3083	Qui vero etiam propria his bona adiecerit , ut suppleat quae deerant , circumcidat , si quid redundabit , is erit , quem quaerimus , perfectus orator ; quem nunc consummari potissimum oporteat , cum tanto plura exempla bene dicendi supersint quam illis , qui adhuc summi sunt , contigerunt . Nam erit haec quoque laus eorum , ut priores superasse , posteros docuisse dicantur .	But the man who to these good qualities adds his own, that is to say, who makes good deficiencies and cuts down whatever is redundant, will be the perfect orator of our search; and it is now above all times that such perfection should be attained when there are before us so many more models of oratorical excellence than were available for those who have thus far achieved the highest success. For this glory also shall be theirs, that men shall say of them that while they surpassed their predecessors, they also taught those who came after.
3084	Et haec quidem auxilia extrinsecus adhibentur ; in iis autem quae nobis ipsis paranda sunt , ut laboris sic utilitatis etiam longe plurimum adfert stilus . Nec immerito M . Tullius hunc optimum effectorem ac magistrum dicendi vocat ; cui sententiae personam L . Crassi in disputationibus quae sunt de oratore adsignando , iudicium suum cum illius auctoritate coniunxit .	Such are the aids which we may derive from external sources; as regards those which we must supply for ourselves, it is the pen which brings at once the most labour and the most profit. Cicero is fully justified in describing it as the best producer and teacher of eloquence, and it may be noted that in the de Oratore he supports his own judgment by the authority of Lucius Crassus, in whose mouth he places this remark.
3085	Scribendum ergo quam diligentissime et quam plurimum . Nam ut terra alte refossa generandis alendisque seminibus fecundior fit , sic profectus non a summo petitus studiorum fructus effundit uberius et fidelius continet . Nam sine hac quidem conscientia ipsa illa ex tempore dicendi facultas inanem modo loquacitatem dabit et verba in labris nascentia .	We must therefore write as much as possible and with the utmost care. For as deep ploughing makes the soil more fertile for the production and support of crops, so, if we improve our minds by something more than mere superficial study, we shall produce a richer growth of knowledge and shall retain it with greater accuracy. For without the consciousness of such preliminary study our powers of speaking extempore will give us nothing but an empty flow of words, springing from the lips and not from the brain.
3086	Illic radices , illic fundamenta sunt , illic opes velut sanctiore quodam aerario conditae , unde ad subitos quoque casus , cum res exiget , proferantur . Vires faciamus ante omnia , quae sufficiant labori certaminum et usu non exhauriantur .	It is in writing that eloquence has its roots and foundations, it is writing that provides that holy of holies where the wealth of oratory is stored, and whence it is produced to meet the demands of sudden emergencies. It is of the first importance that we should develop such strength as will not faint under the toil of forensic strife nor be exhausted by continual use.
3087	Nihil enim rerum ipsa natura voluit magnum effici cito praeposuitque pulcherrimo cuique operi difficultatem ; quae nascendi quoque hanc fecerit legem , ut maiora animalia diutius visceribus parentis continerentur . Sed cum sit duplex quaestio , quomodo et quae maxime scribi oporteat , iam hinc ordinem sequar .	For it is an ordinance of nature that nothing great can be achieved in a moment, and that all the fairest tasks are attended with difficulty, while on births as well she has imposed this law, that the larger the animal, the longer should be the period of gestation. There are, however, two questions which present themselves in this connexion, namely, what should be our method and what the subjects on which we write, and I propose to treat them in this order.
3088	Sit primo vel tardus dum diligens stilus , quaeramus optima nec protinus offerentibus se gaudeamus , adhibeatur iudicium inventis , dispositio probatis . Delectus enim rerum uerborumque agendus est et pondera singulorum examinanda . Post subeat ratio collocandi versenturque omni modo numeri , non ut quodque se proferet verbum occupet locum .	At first, our pen must be slow yet sure: we must search for what is best and refuse to give a joyful welcome to every thought the moment that it presents itself; we must first criticise the fruits of our imagination, and then, once approved, arrange them with care. For we must select both thoughts and words and weigh them one by one. This done, we must consider the order in which they should be placed, and must examine all the possible varieties of rhythm, refusing necessarily to place each word in the order in which it occurs to us.
3089	Quae quidem ut diligentius exsequamur , repetenda saepius erunt scriptorum proxima . Nam praeter id quod sic melius iunguntur prioribus sequentia , calor quoque ille cogitationis , qui scribendi mora refrixit , recipit ex integro vires et velut repetito spatio sumit impetum ; quod in certamine saliendi fieri videmus , ut conatum longius petant et ad illud , quo contenditur , spatium cursu ferantur ; utque in iaculando brachia reducimus et expulsuri tela nervos retro tendimus .	In order to do this with the utmost care, we must frequently revise what we have just written. For beside the fact that thus we secure a better connexion between what follows and what precedes, the warmth of thought which has cooled down while we were writing is revived anew, and gathers fresh impetus from going over the ground again. We may compare this protess with what occurs in jumping matches. The competitors take a longer run and go at full speed to clear the distance which they aim at covering; similarly, in throwing the javelin, we draw back our arms, and in archery pull back the bow-string to propel the shaft.
3090	Interim tamen , si feret flatus , danda sunt vela , dum nos indulgentia illa non fallat . Omnia enim nostra , dum nascuntur , placent ; alioqui nec scriberentur . Sed redeamus ad iudicium et retractemus suspectam facilitate .	At times, however, we may spread our sails before the favouring breeze, but we must beware that this indulgence does not lead us into error. For we love all the offspring of our thought at the moment of their birth; were that not so, we should never commit them to writing. But we must give them a critical revision, and go carefully over any passage where we have reason to regard our fluency with suspicion.
3091	Sic scripsisse Sallustium accepimus , et sane manifestus est etiam ex opere ipso labor . Vergilium quoque paucissimos die composuisse versus auctor est Varius . Oratoris quidem alia condicio est ;	It is thus, we are told, that Sallust wrote, and certainly his works give clear evidence of the labour which he expended on them. Again, we learn from Varius that Virgil composed but a very small number of verses every day.
3092	itaque hanc moram et sollicitudinem initiis impero . Nam primum hoc constituendum , hoc obtinendum est , ut quam optime scribamus ; celeritatem dabit consuetudo . Paulatim res facilius se ostendent , verba respondebunt , compositio sequetur , cuncta denique ut in familia bene instituta in officio erunt . Summa haec est rei :	It is true that with orators the case is somewhat different, and it is for this reason that I enjoin such slowness of speed and such anxious care at the outset. For the first aim which we must fix in our minds and insist on carrying into execution is to write as well as possible; speed will come with practice. Gradually thoughts will suggest themselves with increasing readiness, the words will answer to our call and rhythmical arrangement will follow, till everything will be found fulfilling its proper function as in a well-ordered household. The sum of the whole matter is this:
3093	cito scribendo non fit , ut bene scribatur ; bene scribendo fit , ut cito . Sed tum maxime , cum facultas illa contigerit , resistamus ut provideamus et efferentes equos frenis quibusdam coerceamus ; quod non tam moram faciet quam novos impetus dabit . Neque enim rursus eos , qui robur aliquod in stilo fecerint , ad infelicem calumniandi se poenam alligandos puto .	write quickly and you will never write well, write well and you will soon write quickly. But it is just when we have acquired this facility that we must pause awhile to look ahead and, if I may use the metaphor, curb the horses that would run away with us. This will not delay our progress so much as lend us fresh vigour. For I do not think that those who have acquired a certain power in writing should be condemned to the barren pains of false self-criticism.
3094	Nam quomodo sufficere officiis civilibus possit , qui singulis actionum partibus insenescat ? Sunt autem quibus nihil sit satis ; omnia mutare , omnia aliter dicere quam occurrit velint ; increduli quidam et de ingenio suo pessime meriti , qui diligentiam putant facere sibi scribendi difficultatem .	How can anyone fulfil his duties as an advocate if he wastes his time in putting unnecessary finish on each portion of his pleadings? There are some who are never satisfied. They wish to change everything they have written and to put it in other words. They are a diffident folk, and deserve but ill of their own talents, who think it a mark of precision to cast obstacles in the way of their own writing.
3095	Nec promptum est dicere , utros peccare validius putem , quibus omnia sua placent an quibus nihil . Accidit enim etiam ingeniosis adolescentibus frequenter , ut labore consumantur et in silentium usque descendant nimia bene dicendi cupiditate . Qua de re memini narrasse mihi Iulium Secundum illum , aequalem meum atque a me , ut notum est , familiariter amatum , mirae facundiae virum , infinitae tamen curae , quid esset sibi a patruo suo dictum .	Nor is it easy to say which are the most serious offenders, those who are satisfied with everything or those who are satisfied with nothing that they write. For it is of common occurrence with young men, however talented they may be, to waste their gifts by superfluous elaboration, and to sink into silence through an excessive desire to speak well. I remember in this connexion a story that Julius Secundus, my contemporary, and, as is well known, my very dear friend, a man with remarkable powers of eloquence, but with an infinite passion for precision, told me of the words once used to him by his uncle,
3096	Is fuit Iulius Florus , in eloquentia Galliarum , quoniam ibi demum exercuit eam , princeps , alioqui inter paucos disertus et dignus ilia propinquitate . Is cum Secundum , scholae adhuc operatum , tristem forte vidisset , interrogavit , quae causa frontis tam adductae .	Julius Florus, the leading orator of Gaul, for it was there that he practised, a man eloquent as but few have ever been, and worthy of his nephew. He once noticed that Secundus, who was still a student, was looking depressed, and asked him the meaning of his frowns. The youth made no concealment of the reason:
3097	Nec dissimulavit adolescens , tertium iam diem esse , quod omni labore materiae ad scribendum destinatae non inveniret exordium ; quo sibi non praesens tantum dolor , sed etiam desperatio in posterum fieret . Tum Florus arridens , Numquid tu , inquit , melius dicere vis quam potes ?	he had been working for three days, and had been unable, in spite of all his efforts, to devise an exordium for the theme which he had been given to write, with the result that he was not only vexed over his immediate difficulty, but had lost all hope of future success. Florus smiled and said, "Do you really want to speak better than you can?"
3098	Ita se res habet . Curandum est ut quam optime dicamus ; dicendum tamen pro facultate . Ad profectum enim opus est studio non indignatione . Ut possimus autem scribere etiam plura et celerius , non exercitatio modo praestabit , in qua sine dubio multum est , sed etiam ratio ; si non resupini spectantesque tectum et cogitationem murmure agitantes exspectaverimus quid obveniat ; sed quid res poscat , quid personam deceat , quod sit tempus , qui iudicis animus intuiti , humano quodam modo ad scribendum accesserimus . Sic nobis et initia et quae sequuntur natura ipsa praescribit .	There lies the truth of the whole matter. We must aim at speaking as well as we can, but must not try to speak better than our nature will permit. For to make any real advance we need study, not selfaccusation. And it is not merely practice that will enable us to write at greater length and with increased fluency, although doubtless practice is most important. We need judgement as well. So long as we do not he back with eyes turned up to the ceiling, trying to fire our imagination by muttering to ourselves, in the hope that something will present itself, but turn our thoughts to consider what the circumstances of the case demand, what suits the characters involved, what is the nature of the occasion and the temper of the judge, we shall acquire the power of writing by rational means. It is thus that nature herself bids us begin and pursue our studies once well begun.
3099	Certa sunt enim pleraque et , nisi coniueamus , in oculos incurrunt ; ideoque nec indocti nec rustici diu quaerunt , unde incipiant ; quo pudendum est magis , si difficultatem facit doctrina . Non ergo semper putemus optimum esse quod latet ; immutescamus alioqui , si nihil dicendum videatur , nisi quod non invenimus .	For most points are of a definite character and, if we keep our eyes open, will spontaneously present themselves. That is the reason why peasants and uneducated persons do not beat about the bush to discover with what they should begin, and our hesitation is all the more shameful if it is simply the result of education. We must not, therefore, persist in thinking that what is hard to find is necessarily best; for, if it seems to us that there is nothing to be said except that which we are unable to find, we must say nothing at all.
3100	Diversum est huic eorum vitium , qui primo decurrere per materiam stilo quam velocissimo volunt et sequentes calorem atque impetum ex tempore scribunt ; hanc silvam vocant . Repetunt deinde et componunt quae effuderant ; sed verba emendantur et numeri , manet in rebus temere congestis quae fuit levitas .	On the other hand, there is a fault which is precisely the opposite of this, into which those fall who insist on first making a rapid draft of their subject with the utmost speed of which their pen is capable, and write in the heat and impulse of the moment. They call this their rough copy. They then revise what they have written, and arrange their hasty outpourings. But while the words and the rhythm may be corrected, the matter is still marked by the superficiality resulting from the speed with which it was thrown together.
3101	Protinus ergo adhibere curam rectius erit atque ab initio sic opus ducere , ut caelandum , non ex integro fabricandum sit . Aliquando tamen adfectus sequemur , in quibus fere plus calor quam diligentia valet . Satis apparet ex eo , quod hanc scribentium negligentiam damno , quid de illis dictandi deliciis sentiam .	The more correct method is, therefore, to exercise care from the very beginning, and to form the work from the outset in such a manner that it merely requires to be chiselled into shape, not fashioned anew. Sometimes, however, we must follow the stream of our emotions, since their warmth will give us more than any diligence can secure.
3102	Nam in stilo quidem quamlibet properato dat aliquam cogitationi moram non consequens celeritatem eius manus ; ille cui dictamus urget , atque interim pudet etiam dubitare aut resistere aut mutare quasi conscium infirmitatis nostrae timentes .	The condemnation which I have passed on such carelessness in writing will make it pretty clear what my views are on the luxury of dictation which is now so fashionable. For, when we write, however great our speed, the fact that the hand cannot follow the rapidity of our thoughts gives us time to think, whereas the presence of our amanuensis hurries us on, and at times we feel ashamed to hesitate or pause, or make some alteration, as though we were afraid to display such weakness before a witness.
3103	Quo fit , ut non rudia tantum et fortuita , sed impropria interim , dum sola est connectendi sermonis cupiditas , effluant , quae nec scribentium curam nec dicentium impetum consequantur . At idem ille , qui excipit , si tardior in scribendo aut incertior in intellegendo velut offensator fuit , inhibetur cursus , atque omnis quae erat concepta mentis intentio mora et interdum iracundia excutitur .	As a result our language tends not merely to be haphazard and formless, but in our desire to produce a continuous flow we let slip positive improprieties of diction, which show neither the precision of the writer nor the impetuosity of the speaker. Again, if the amanuensis is a slow writer, or lacking in intelligence, he becomes a stumbling-block, our speed is checked, and the thread of our ideas is interrupted by the delay or even perhaps by the loss of temper to which it gives rise.
3104	Tum illa , quae altiorem animi motum sequuntur quaeque ipsa animum quodammodo concitant , quorum est iactare nanum , torquere vultum , frontem et latus interim obiurgare , quaeque Persius notat , cum leviter dicendi genus significat , " Nec pluteum , inquit , caedit nec demorsos sapit unguis , " etiam ridicula sunt , nisi cum soli sumus .	Moreover, the gestures which accompany strong feeling, and sometimes even serve to stimulate the mind, the waving of the hand, the contraction of the brow, the occasional striking of forehead or side, and those which Persius notes when he describes a trivial style as one that "Thumps not the desk nor smacks of bitten nails," all these become ridiculous, unless we are alone, Finally,
3105	Denique ut semel quod est potentissimum dicam , secretum in dictando perit . Atque liberum arbitris locum et quam altissimum silentium scribentibus maxime convenire nemo dubitaverit . Non tamen protinus audiendi , qui credunt aptissima in hoc nemora silvasque , quod illa caeli libertas locorumque amoenitas sublimem animum et beatiorem spiritum parent .	we come to the most important consideration of all, that the advantages of privacy are lost when we dictate. Everyone, however, will agree that the absence of company and deep silence are most conducive to writing, though I would not go so far as to concur in the opinion of those who think woods and groves the most suitable localities for the purpose, on the ground that the freedom of the sky and the charm of the surroundings produce sublimity of thought and wealth of inspiration.
3106	Mihi certe iucundus hic magis quam studiorum hortator videtur esse secessus . Namque illa , quae ipsa delectant , necesse est avocent ab intentione operis destinati . Neque enim se bona fide in multa simul intendere animus totum potest , et quocunque respexit , desinit intueri quod propositum erat .	Personally I regard such an environment as a pleasant luxury rather than a stimulus to study. For whatever causes us delight, must necessarily distract us from the concentration due to our work. The mind cannot devote its undivided and sincere attention to a number of things at the same time, and wherever it turns its gaze it must cease to contemplate its appointed task.
3107	Quare silvarum amoenitas et praeterlabentia flumina et inspirantes ramis arborum aurae volucrumque cantus et ipsa late circumspiciendi libertas ad se trahunt , ut mihi remittere potius voluptas ista videatur cogitationem quam intendere .	Therefore, the charm of the woods, the gliding of the stream, the breeze that murmurs in the branches, the song of birds, and the very freedom with which our eyes may range, are mere distractions, and in my opinion the pleasure which they excite is more likely to relax than to concentrate our attention.
3108	Demosthenes melius , qui se in locum , ex quo nulla exaudiri vox et ex quo nihil prospici posset , recondebat ne aliud agere mentem cogerent oculi . Ideoque lucubrantes silentium noctis et clausum cubiculum et lumen unum velut tectos maxime teneat .	Demosthenes took a wiser view; for he would retire to a place where no voice was to be heard, and no prospect greeted the sight, for fear that his eyes might force his mind to neglect its duty. Therefore, let the burner of the midnight oil seclude himself in the silence of night, within closed doors, with but a solitary lamp to light his labours.
3109	Sed cum in omni studiorum genere tum in hoc praecipue bona valetudo , quaeque eam maxime praestat , frugalitas , necessaria est , cum tempora ab ipsa rerum natura ad quietem refectionemque nobis data in acerrimum laborem convertimus . Cui tamen non plus irrogandum est quam quod somno supererit , haud deerit .	But for every kind of study, and more especially for night work, good health and its chief source, simple living, are essential; for we have fallen into the habit of devoting to relentless labour the hour which nature has appointed for rest and relaxation. From those hours we must take only such time as is superfluous for sleep, and will not be missed.
3110	Obstat enim diligentiae scribendi etiam fatigatio , et abunde , si vacet , lucis spatia sufficiunt ; occupatos in noctem necessitas agit . Est tamen lucubratio , quotiens ad eam integri ac refecti venimus , optimum secreti genus .	For fatigue will make us careless in writing, and the hours of daylight are amply sufficient for one who has no other distractions. It is only the busy man who is driven to encroach on the hours of darkness. Nevertheless, night work, so long as we come to it fiesh and untired, provides by far the best form of privacy.
3111	Sed silentium et secessus et undique liber animus ut sunt maxime optanda , ita non semper possunt contingere , ideoque non statim , si quid obstrepet , abiciendi codices erunt et deplorandus dies ; verum incommodis repugnandum et hic faciendus usus , ut omnia quae impedient vincat intentio ; quam si tota mente in opus ipsum direxeris , nihil eorum , quae oculis vel auribus incursant , ad animum perveniet .	But although silence and seclusion and absolute freedom of mind are devoutly to be desired, they are not always within our power to attain. Consequently we must not fling aside our book at once, if disturbed by some noise, and lament that we have lost a day: on the contrary, we must make a firm stand against such inconveniences, and train ourselves so to concentrate our thoughts as to rise superior to all impediments to study. If only you direct all your attention to the work which you have in hand, no sight or sound will ever penetrate to your mind.
3112	An vero frequenter etiam fortuita hoc cogitatio praestat , ut obvios non videamus et itinere deerremus : non consequemur idem , si et voluerimus ? Non est indulgendum causis desidiae . Nam si non nisi refecti , non nisi hilares , non nisi omnibus aliis curis vacantes studendum existimarimus , semper erit propter quod nobis ignoscamus .	If even casual thoughts often occupy us to such an extent that we do not see passers-by, or even stray from our path, surely we can obtain the same result by the exercise of our will. We must not give way to pretexts for sloth. For unless we make up our mind that we must be fresh, cheerful and free from all other care when we approach our studies, we shall always find some excuse for idleness.
3113	Quare in turba , itinere , conviviis etiam faciat sibi cogitatio ipsa secretum . Quid alioqui fiet , cum in medio foro , tot circumstantibus iudiciis , iurgiis , fortuitis etiam clamoribus , erit subito continua oratione dicendum , si particulas quas ceris mandamus nisi in solitudine reperire non possumus ? Propter quae idem ille tantus amator secreti Demosthenes in litore , in quo se maximo cum sono fluctus illideret , meditans consuescebat contionum fremitus non expavescere .	Therefore, whether we be in a crowd, on a journey, or even at some festive gathering, our thoughts should always have some inner sanctuary of their own to which they may retire. Otherwise what shall we do when we are suddenly called upon to deliver a set speech in the midst of the forum, with lawsuits in progress on every side, and with the sound of quarrels and even casual outcries in our ears, if we need absolute privacy to discover the thoughts which we jot down upon our tablets? It was for this reason that Demosthenes, the passionate lover of seclusion, used to study on the seashore amid the roar of the breakers that they might teach him not to be unnerved by the uproar of the public assembly.
3114	Illa quoque minora ( sed nihil in studiis parvum est ) non sunt transeunda : scribi optime ceris , in quibus facillima est ratio delendi , nisi forte visus infirmior membranarum potius usum exiget , quae ut iuvant aciem , ita crebra relatione , quoad intinguntur , calami morantur manum et cogitationis impetum frangunt .	There are also certain minor details which deserve our attention, for there is nothing too minute for the student. It is best to write on wax owing to the facility which it offers for erasure, though weak sight may make it desirable to employ parchment by preference. The latter, however, although of assistance to the eye, delays the hand and interrupts the stream of thought owing to the frequency with which the pen has to be supplied with ink.
3115	Relinquendae autem in utrolibet genere contra erunt vacuae tabellae , in quibus libera adiiciendo sit excursio . Nam interim pigritiam emendandi angustiae faciunt aut certe novorum interpositione priora confundant . Ne latas quidem ultra modum esse ceras velim , expertus iuvenem studiosum alioqui praelongos habuisse sermones , quia illos numero versuum metiebatur , idque vitium , quod frequenti admonitione corrigi non potuerat , mutatis codicibus esse sublatum .	But whichever we employ, we must leave blank pages that we may be free to make additions when we will. For lack of space at times gives rise to a reluctance to make corrections, or, at any rate, is liable to cause confusion when new matter is inserted. The wax tablets should not be unduly wide; for I have known a young and over-zealous student write his compositions at undue length, because he measured them by the number of lines, a fault which persisted, in spite of frequent admonition, until his tablets were changed, when it disappeared.
3116	Debet vacare etiam locus , in quo notentur quae scribentibus solent extra ordinem , id est ex aliis , quam qui sunt in manibus loci , occurrere . Irrumpunt enim optimi nonnunquam sensus , quos neque inserere oportet neque differre tutum est , quia interim elabuntur , interim memoriae suae intentos ab alia inventione declinant ideoque optime sunt in deposito .	Space must also be left for jotting down the thoughts which occur to the writer out of due order, that is to say, which refer to subjects other than those in hand. For sometimes the most admirable thoughts break in upon us which cannot be inserted in what we are writing, but which, on the other hand, it is unsafe to put by, since they are at times forgotten, and at times cling to the memory so persistently as to divert us from some other line of thought. They are, therefore, best kept in store.