Institutio Oratoria |
Translator: Harold Edgeworth Butler
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| 3117 |
Sequitur emendatio , pars studiorum longe utilissima . Neque enim sine causa creditum est stilum non minus agere , cum delet . Huius autem operis est adiicere , detrahere , mutare . Sed facilius in iis simpliciusque iudicium , quae replenda vel deicienda sunt ; premere vero tumentia , humilia extollere , luxuriantia adstringere , inordinata digerere , soluta componere , exultantia coercere , duplicis operae . Nam et damnanda sunt quae placuerunt et invenienda quae fugerant .
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The next point which we have to consider is the correction of our work, which is by far the most useful portion of our study: for there is good reason for the view that erasure is quite as important a function of the pen as actual writing. Correction takes the form of addition, excision and alteration. But it is a comparatively simple and easy task to decide what is to be added or excised. On the other hand, to prune what is turgid, to elevate what is mean, to repress exuberance, arrange what is disorderly, introduce rhythm where it is lacking, and modify it where it is too emphatic, involves a twofold labour. For we have to condemn what had previously satisfied us and discover what had escaped our notice. |
| 3118 |
Nec dubium est optimum esse emendandi genus , si scripta in aliquod tempus reponantur , ut ad ea post intervallum velut nova atque aliena redeamus , ne nobis scripta nostra tanquam recentes fetus blandiantur .
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There can be no doubt that the best method of correction is to put aside what we have written for a certain time, so that when we return to it after an interval it will have the air of novelty and of being another's handiwork; for thus we may prevent ourselves from regarding our writings with all the affection that we lavish on a newborn child. |
| 3119 |
Sed neque hoc contingere semper potest praesertim oratori , cui saepius scribere ad praesentes usus necesse est ; et ipsa emendatio finem habeat . Sunt enim qui ad omnia scripta tanquam vitiosa redeant et , quasi nihil fas sit rectum esse quod primum est , melius existiment quidquid est aliud , idque faciant , quotiens librum in manus resumpserunt , similes medicis etiam integra secantibus . Accidit itaque ut cicatricosa sint et exsanguis et cura peiora .
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But this is not always possible, especially in the case of an orator who most frequently has to write for immediate use, while some limit, after all, must be set to correction. For there are some who return to everything they write with the presumption that it is full of faults and, assuming that a first draft must necessarily be incorrect, think every change an improvement and make some alteration as often as they have the manuscript in their hands: they are, in fact, like doctors who use the knife even where the flesh is perfectly healthy. The result of their critical activities is that the finished work is full of scars, bloodless, and all the worse for their anxious care. |
| 3120 |
Sit ergo aliquando quod placeat aut certe quod sufficiat , ut opus poliat lima , non exterat . Temporis quoque esse debet modus . Nam quod Cinnae Zmyrnam novem annis accepimus scriptam , et panegyricum Isocratis , qui parcissime , decem annis dicunt elaboratum , ad oratorem nihil pertinet , cuius nullum erit , si tam tardum fuerit , auxilium .
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No! let there be something in all our writing which, if it does not actually please us, at least passes muster, so that the file may only polish our work, not wear it away. There must also be a limit to the time which we spend on its revision. For the fact that Cinna took nine years to write his Smyrna, and that Isocrates required ten years, at the lowest estimate, to complete his Panegyric does not concern the orator, whose assistance will be of no use, if it is so long delayed. |
| 3121 |
Proximum est , ut dicamus , quae praecipue scribenda sint ἕξιν parantibus . Non est huius quidem operis , ut explicemus quae sint materiae , quae prima aut secunda aut deinceps tractanda sint ( nam id factum est etiam primo libro , quo puerorum , et secundo , quo iam robustorum studiis ordinem dedimus ) sed de quo nunc agitur , unde copia ac facilitas maxime veniat .
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My next task is to indicate what those should write whose aim is to acquire facility. At this part of my work there is no necessity for me to set forth the subjects which should be selected for writing, or the order in which they should be approached, since I have already done this in the first book, where I prescribed the sequence of studies for boys, and in the second book, where I did the same for young men. The point which concerns me now is to show from what sources copiousness and facility may most easily be derived. Our earlier orators thought highly of translation from Greek into Latin. |
| 3122 |
Vertere Graeca in Latinum veteres nostri oratores optimum iudicabant . Id se L . Crassus in illis Ciceronis de Oratore libris dicit factitasse . Id Cicero sua ipse persona frequentissime praecipit , quin etiam libros Platonis atque Xenophontis edidit hoc genere translatos . Id Messalae placuit , multaeque sunt ab eo scriptae ad hunc modum orationes , adeo ut etiam cum illa Hyperidis pro Phryne difficillima Romanis subtilitate contenderet .
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In the de Oratore of Cicero, Lucius Crassus says that he practised this continually, while Cicero himself advocates it again and again, nay, he actually published translations of Xenophon and Plato, which were the result of this form of exercise. Messala likewise gave it his approval, and we have a number of translations of speeches from his hand; he even succeeded in coping with the delicacy of Hyperides' speech in defence of Phryne, a task of exceeding difficulty for a Roman. |
| 3123 |
Et manifesta est exercitationis huiusce ratio . Nam et rerum copia Graeci auctores abundant et plurimum artis in eloquentiam intulerunt , et hos transferentibus verbis uti optimis licet , omnibus enim utimur nostris . Figuras vero , quibus maxime ornatur oratio , multas ac varias excogitandi etiam necessitas quaedam est , quia plerumque a Graecis Romana dissentiunt .
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The purpose of this form of exercise is obvious. For Greek authors are conspicuous for the variety of their matter, and there is much art in all their eloquence, while, when we translate them, we are at liberty to use the best words available, since all that we use are our very own. As regards figures, too, which are the chief ornament of oratory, it is necessary to think out a great number and variety for ourselves, since in this respect the Roman idiom differs largely from the Greek. |
| 3124 |
Sed et illa ex Latinis conversio multum et ipsa contulerit . Ac de carminibus quidem neminem credo dubitare , quo solo genere exercitationis dicitur usus esse Sulpicius . Nam et sublimis spiritus attollere orationem potest , et verba poetica libertate audaciora non praesumunt eadem proprie dicendi facultatem . Sed et ipsis sententiis adiicere licet oratorium robur et omissa supplere , effusa substringere .
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But paraphrase from the Latin will also be of much assistance, while I think we shall all agree that this is specially valuable with regard to poetry; indeed, it is said that the paraphrase of poetry was the sole form of exercise employed by Sulpicius. For the lofty inspiration of verse serves to elevate the orator's style and the bold license of poetic language does not preclude our attempting to render the same words in the language natural to prose. Nay, we may add the vigour of oratory to the thoughts expressed by the poet, make good his omissions, and prune his diffuseness. |
| 3125 |
Neque ego paraphrasim esse interpretationem tantum volo , sed circa eosdem sensus certamen atque aemulationem . Ideoque ab illis dissentio , qui vertere orationes Latinas vetant , quia optimis occupatis , quidquid aliter dixerimus , necesse sit esse deterius . Nam neque semper est desperandum , aliquid illis , quae dicta sunt , melius posse reperiri ; neque adeo ieiunam ac pauperem natura eloquentiam fecit , ut una de re bene dici nisi semel non possit .
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But I would not have paraphrase restrict itself to the bare interpretation of the original: its duty is rather to rival and vie with the original in the expression of the same thoughts. Consequently, I disagree with those who forbid the student to parahrase speeches of our own orators, on the ground that, since all the best expressions have already been appropriated, whatever we express differently must necessarily be a change for the worse. For it is always possible that we may discover expressions which are an improvement on those which have already been used, and nature did not make eloquence such a poor and starveling thing, that there should be only one adequate expression for any one theme. |
| 3126 |
Nisi forte histrionum multa circa voces easdem variare gestus potest , orandi minor vis , ut dicatur aliquid , post quod in eadem materia nihil dicendum sit . Sed esto neque melius quod invenimus esse neque par :
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It can hardly be argued that, while the gestures of the actor are capable of imparting a wealth of varied meaning to the same words, the power of oratory is restricted to a narrower scope, so that when a thing has once been said, it is impossible to say anything else on the same theme. Why, even if it be granted that no new expression we discover can be better than or even equal to the old, it may, at any rate, be a good second. |
| 3127 |
est certe proximis locus . An vero ipsi non bis ac saepius de eadem re dicimus et quidem continuas nonnunquam sententias ? Nisi forte contendere nobiscum possumus , cum aliis non possumus . Nam si uno genere bene diceretur , fas erat existimari praeclusam nobis a prioribus viam ; nunc vero innumerabiles sunt modi plurimaeque eodem viae ducunt .
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Do we not often speak twice, or even more frequently, on the same subject, sometimes even to the extent of a number of sentences in succession? It will scarce be asserted that we must not match ourselves against others when we are permitted to match ourselves against ourselves. For if there were only one way in which anything could be satisfactorily expressed, we should be justified in thinking that the path to success had been sealed to us by our predecessors. But, as a matter of fact, the methods of expression still left us are innumerable, and many roads lead us to the same goal. |
| 3128 |
Sua brevitati gratia , sua copiae , alia translatis virtus alia propriis , hoc oratio recta illud figura declinata commendat . Ipsa denique utilissima est exercitationi difficultas . Quid , quod auctores maximi sic diligentius cognoscuntur ? Non enim scripta lectione secura transcurrimus , sed tractamus singula et necessario introspicimus et , quantum virtutis habeant , vel hoc ipso cognoscimus , quod imitari non possumus .
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Brevity and copiousness each have their own peculiar grace, the merits of metaphor are one thing and of literalness another, and, while direct expression is most effective in one case, in another the best result is gained by a use of figures. Further, the exercise is valuable in virtue of its difficulty; and again, there is no better way of acquiring a thorough understanding of the greatest authors. For, instead of hurriedly running a careless eye over their writings, we handle each separate phrase and are forced to give it close examination, and we come to realise the greatness of their excellence from the very fact that we cannot imitate them. |
| 3129 |
Nec aliena tantum transferre sed etiam nostra pluribus modis tractare proderit , ut ex industria sumamus sententias quasdam easque versemus quam numerosissime , velut eadem cera aliae aliaeque formae duci solent .
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Nor is it only the paraphrase of the works of others that we shall find of advantage: much may be gained from paraphrasing our own words in a number of different ways: for instance, we may specially select certain thoughts and recast them in the greatest variety of forms, just as a sculptor will fashion a number of different images from the same piece of wax. |
| 3130 |
Plurimum autem parari facultatis existimo ex simplicissima quaque materia . Nam illa multiplici personarum , causarum , temporum , locorum , dictorum , factorum diversitate facile delitescet infirmitas , tot se undique rebus , ex quibus aliquam apprehendas , offerentibus .
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But it is the simplest subjects which, in my opinion, will serve us best in our attempt to acquire facility. For our lack of talent may easily shelter itself behind the complicated mass of detail presented by persons, cases, circumstances of time and place, words and deeds, since the subjects which present themselves on all sides are so many that it will always be possible to lay hold of some one or other. |
| 3131 |
Illud virtutis indicium est fundere quae natura contracta sunt , augere parva , varietatem similibus , voluptatem expositis dare et bene dicere multa de paucis . In hoc optime facient infinitae quaestiones , quas vocari θέσεις diximus , quibus Cicero iam princeps in re publica exerceri solebat .
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True merit is revealed by the power to expand what is naturally compressed, to amplify what is small, to lend variety to sameness, charm to the commonplace, and to say a quantity of good things about a very limited number of subjects. For this purpose indefinite questions, of the kind we call theses, will be found of the utmost service: in fact, Cicero still exercised himself upon such themes after he had become the leading man in the state. |
| 3132 |
His confinis est destructio et confirmatio sententiarum . Nam cum sit sententia decretum quoddam atque praeceptum , quod de re idem de iudicio rei quaeri potest . Tum loci communes , quos etiam scriptos ab oratoribus scimus . Nam qui haec recta tantum et in nullos flexus recedentia copiose tractaverit , utique in illis plures excursus recipientibus magis abundabit eritque in omnes causas paratus . Omnes enim generalibus quaestionibus constant .
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Akin to these are the proof or refutation of general statements. For such statements are a kind of decree or rule, and whatever problem may arise from the thing, may equally arise from the decision passed upon the thing. Then there are commonplaces, which, as we know, have often been written by orators as a form of exercise. The man who has practised himself in giving full treatment to such simple and uncomplicated themes, will assuredly find his fluency increased in those subjects which admit of varied digression, and will be prepared to deal with any case that may confront him, since all cases ultimately turn upon general questions. |
| 3133 |
Nam quid interest , Cornelius tribunus plebis quod codicem legerit , reus sit , an quaeramus , violeturne maiestas , si magistratus rogationem suam populo ipse recitaverit ; Milo Clodium rectene occiderit , veniat in iudicium , an , oporteatne insidiatorem interfici vel perniciosum rei publicae civem , etiamsi non insidietur ; Cato Marciam honestene tradiderit Hortensio , an , conveniatne res talis bono viro ? De personis iudicatur , sed de rebus contenditur .
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For what difference is there between the special case where Cornelius, the tribune of the people, is charged with reading the text of a proposed law, and the general question whether it is lése-majestè for a magistrate himself to read the law which he proposes to the people; what does it matter whether we have to decide whether Milo was justified in killing Clodius, or whether it is justifiable to kill a man who has set an ambush for his slayer, or a citizen whose existence is a danger to the state, even though he has set no such ambush? What difference is there between the question whether it was an honourable act on the part of Cato to make over Marcia to Hortensius, or whether such an action is becoming to a virtuous man? It is on the guilt or innocence of specific persons that judgement is given, but it is on general principles that the case ultimately rests. |
| 3134 |
Declamationes vero , quales in scholis rhetorum dicuntur , si modo sunt ad veritatem accommodatae et orationibus similes , non tantum dum adolescit profectus sunt utilissimae , quia inventionem et dispositionem pariter exercent , sed etiam cum est consummatus ac iam in foro clarus . Alitur enim atque enitescit velut pabulo laetiore facundia et adsidua contentionum asperitate fatigata renovatur .
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As for declamations of the kind delivered in the schools of the rhetoricians, so long as they are in keeping with actual life and resemble speeches, they are most profitable to the student, not merely while he is still immature, for the reason that they simultaneously exercise the powers both of invention and arrangement, but even when he has finished his education and acquired a reputation in the courts. For they provide a richer diet from which eloquence derives nourishment and brilliance of complexion, and at the same time afford a refreshing variety after the continuous fatigues of forensic disputes. |
| 3135 |
Quapropter historiae nonnunquam ubertas in aliqua exercendi stili parte ponenda et dialogorum libertate gestiendum . Ne carmine quidem ludere contrarium fuerit , sicut athletae , remissa quibusdam temporibus ciborum atque exercitationum certa necessitate , otio et iucundioribus epulis reficiuntur .
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For the same reason, the wealth of language that marks the historian should be from time to time imported into portions of our written exercises, and we should indulge in the easy freedom of dialogue. Nay, it may even be advantageous to amuse ourselves with the writing of verse, just as athletes occasionally drop the severe regime of diet and exercise to which they are subjected and refresh themselves by taking a rest and indulging in more dainty and agreeable viands. |
| 3136 |
Ideoque mihi videtur M . Tullius tantum intulisse eloquentiae lumen , quod in hos quoque studiorum secessus excurrit . Nam si nobis sola materia fuerit ex litibus , necesse est deteratur fulgor et durescat articulus et ipse ille mucro ingenii cotidiana pugna retundatur .
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Indeed, in my opinion, one of the reasons why Cicero was enabled to shed such glory upon the art of speaking is to be found in his excursions to such bypaths of study. For if all our material was drawn solely from actions at law, our eloquence must needs lose its gloss, our limbs grow stiff, and the keen edge of the intellect be blunted by its daily combats. |
| 3137 |
Sed quemadmodum forensibus certaminibus exercitatos et quasi militantes reficit ac reparat haec velut sagina dicendi , sic adolescentes non debent nimium in falsa rerum imagine detineri et inanibus simulacris usque adeo , ut difficilis ab his digressus sit , assuescere , ne ab illa , in qua prope consenuerunt , umbra vera discrimina velut quendam solem reformident .
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But although those who find their practice in the contests of forensic warfare derive fresh strength and repair their forces by means of this rich fare of eloquence, the young should not be kept too long at these false semblances of reality, nor should they be allowed to become so familiar with these empty shadows that it is difficult for them to leave them: otherwise there is always the danger that, owing to the seclusion in which they have almost grown old, they will shrink in terror from the real perils of public life, like men dazzled by the unfamiliar sunlight. |
| 3138 |
Quod accidisse etiam M . Porcio Latroni , qui primus clari nominis professor fuit , traditur , ut , cum ei summam in scholis opinionem obtinenti causa in foro esset oranda , impense petierit , uti subsellia in basilicam transferrentur . Ita illi caelum novum fuit , ut omnis eius eloquentia contineri tecto ac parietibus videretur .
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Indeed it is recorded that this fate actually befell Marcus Porcius Latro, the first professor of rhetoric to make a name for himself; for when, at the height of his fame in the schools, he was called upon to plead a case in the forum, he put forward the most earnest request that the court should be transferred to some public hall. He was so unaccustomed to speak in the open air that all his eloquence seemed to reside within the compass of a roof and four walls. |
| 3139 |
Quare iuvenis , qui rationem inveniendi eloquendique a praeceptoribus diligenter acceperit ( quod non est infiniti operis , si docere sciant et velint ) , exercitationem quoque modicam fuerit consecutus , oratorem sibi aliquem , quod apud maiores fieri solebat , deligat , quem sequatur , quem imitetur ; iudiciis intersit quam plurimis et sit certaminis , cui destinatur , frequens spectator .
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For this reason a young man who has acquired a thorough knowledge from his instructors of the methods of invention and style (which is not by any means an endless task, if those instructors have the knowledge and the will to teach), and who has also managed to obtain a reasonable amount of practice in the art, should follow the custom in vogue with our ancestors, and select some one orator to follow and imitate. He should attend as many trials as possible and be a frequent spectator of the conflicts in which he is destined to take part. |
| 3140 |
Tum causas vel easdem , quas agi audierit , stilo et ipse componat , vel etiam alias veras modo et utrinque tractet , et , quod in gladiatoribus fieri videmus , decretoriis exerceatur , ut fecisse Brutum diximus pro Milone . Melius hoc quam rescribere veteribus orationibus , ut fecit Cestius contra Ciceronis actionem habitam pro eodem , cum alteram partem satis nosse non posset ex sola defensione .
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Next he should write out speeches of his own dealing either with the cases which he has actually heard pleaded or with others, provided always they be actual cases, and should argue them from both sides, training himself with the real weapons of his warfare, just as gladiators do or as Brutus did in that speech in defence of Milo which I have already mentioned. This is better than writing replies to old speeches, as Cestius did to Cicero's defence of Milo in spite of the fact that, his knowledge being confined to what was said for the defence, he could not have possessed sufficient acquaintance with the other side of the case. |
| 3141 |
Citius autem idoneus erit iuvenis , quem praeceptor coegerit in declamando quam simillimum esse veritati et per totas ire materias , quarum nunc facillima et maxime favorabilia decerpunt . Obstant huic , quod secundo loco posui , fere turba discipulorum et consuetudo classium certis diebus audiendarum , nonnihil etiam persuasio patrum numerantium potius declamationes quam aestimantium .
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The young man, however, whom his instructor has compelled to be as realistic as possible in declamation, and to deal with every class of subject, instead of merely selecting the easiest and most attractive cases, as is done at present, will thus qualify himself much more rapidly for actual forensic practice. Under existing circumstances the practice of the principle which I mentioned second is, as a rule, hampered by the large size of the classes and the practice of allotting certain days for recitation, to which must be added the contributory circumstance that the boys' parents are more interested in the number of their sons' recitations than their quality. |
| 3142 |
Sed , quod dixi primo , ut arbitror , libro , nec ille se bonus praeceptor maiore numero quam sustinere possit onerabit et inanem loquacitatem recidet , ut omnia quae sunt in controversia , non , ut quidem volunt , quae in rerum natura , dicantur ; et vel longiore potius dierum spatio laxabit dicendi necessitatem vel materias dividere permittet .
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But, as I think I said in the first book, the really good teacher will not burden himself with a larger number of pupils than he can manage, and will prune any tendency to excessive loquacity, limiting their remarks to the actual points involved by the subject of the declamation and forbidding them to range, as some would have them do, over every subject in heaven and earth: further, he will either extend the period within which he insists on their speaking, or will permit them to divide their themes into several portions. |
| 3143 |
Una enim diligenter effecta plus proderit quam plures inchoatae et quasi degustatae . Propter quod accidit , ut nec suo loco quidque ponatur , nec illa quae prima sunt servent suam legem , iuvenibus flosculos omnium partium in ea quae sunt dicturi congerentibus ; quo fit , ut timentes , ne sequentia perdant , priora confundant .
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The thorough treatment of one theme will be more profitable than the sketchy and superficial treatment of a number of subjects. For the latter practice has the result that nothing is put in its proper place and that the opening of the declamation exceeds all reasonable bounds, since the young orator crams all the flowers of eloquence which belong to all the different portions of the theme into that portion which he has to deliver, and fearing to lose what should naturally come later, introduces wild confusion into the earlier portions of his speech. |
| 3144 |
Proxima stilo cogitatio est , quae et ipsa vires ab hoc accipit , estque inter scribendi laborem extemporalemque fortunam media quaedam et nescio an usus frequentissimi . Nam scribere non ubique nec semper possumus ; cogitationi temporis ac loci plurimum est . Haec paucis admodum horis magnas etiam causas complectitur ; haec , quotiens intermissus est somnus , ipsis noctis tenebris adiuvatur ; haec inter medios rerum actus aliquid invenit vacui nec otium patitur .
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Having dealt with writing, the next point which claims our attention is premeditation, which itself derives force from the practice of writing and forms an intermediate stage between the labours of the pen and the more precarious fortunes of improvisation; indeed I am not sure that it is not more frequently of use than either. For there are places and occasions where writing is impossible, while both are available in abundance for premeditation. For but a few hours' thought will suffice to cover all the points even of cases of importance; if we wake at night, the very darkness will assist us, while even in the midst of legal proceedings our mind will find some vacant space for meditation, and will refuse to remain inactive. |
| 3145 |
Neque vero rerum ordinem modo , quod ipsum satis erat , intra se ipsa disponit , sed verba etiam copulat totamque ita contexit orationem , ut ei nihil praeter manum desit . Nam memoriae quoque plerumque inhaerent fidelius , quae nulla scribendi securitate laxantur . Sed ne ad hanc quidem vim cogitandi perveniri potest aut subito aut cito .
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Again, this practice will not merely secure the proper arrangement of our matter without any recourse to writing, which in itself is no small achievement, but will also set the words which we are going to use in their proper order, and bring the general texture of our speech to such a stage of completion that nothing further is required beyond the finishing touches. And as a rule the memory is more retentive of thoughts when the attention has not been relaxed by the fancied security which results from committing them to writing. But the concentration which this requires cannot be attained in a moment or even quickly. |
| 3146 |
Nam primum facienda multo stilo forma est , quae nos etiam cogitantes sequatur ; tum adsumendus usus paulatim , ut pauca primum complectamur animo , quae reddi fideliter possint ; mox per incrementa tam modica , ut onerari se labor ille non sentiat , augenda vis et exercitatione multa continenda est , quae quidem maxima ex parte memoria constat . Ideoque aliqua mihi in illum locum differenda sunt .
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For, in the first place, we must write much before we can form that ideal of style which must always be present to our minds even when engaged in premeditation. Secondly, we must gradually acquire the habit of thought: to begin with, we shall content ourselves with covering but a few details, which our minds are capable of reproducing with accuracy; then by advances so gradual that our labour is not sensibly increased we must develop our powers and confirm them by frequent practice, a task in which the most important part is played by the memory. |
| 3147 |
Eo tandem pervenit , ut is , cui non refragetur ingenium , acri studio adiutus tantum consequatur , ut ei tam quae cogitarit quam quae scripserit atque edidicerit in dicendo fidem servent . Cicero certe Graecorum Metrodorum Scepsium et Empylum Rhodium nostrorumque Hortensium tradidit , quae cogitaverant , ad verbum in agendo retulisse .
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For this reason I must postpone some of my remarks to the portion of this work reserved for the treatment of that topic. At length, however, our powers will have developed so far that the man who is not hampered by lack of natural ability will by dint of persistent study be enabled, when it comes to speaking, to rely no less on what he has thought out than what he has written out and learnt by heart. At any rate, Cicero records that Metrodorus of Scepsis, Empylus of Rhodes, and our own Hortensius were able to reproduce what they had thought out word for word when it came to actual pleading. |
| 3148 |
Sed si forte aliquis inter dicendum effulserit extemporalis color , non superstitiose cogitatis demum est inhaerendum . Neque enim tantum habent curae , ut non sit dandus et fortunae locus , cum saepe etiam scriptis ea quae subito nata sunt inserantur . Ideoque totum hoc exercitationis genus ita instituendum est , ut et digredi ex eo et redire in id facile possimus .
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If, however, some brilliant improvisation should occur to us while speaking, we must not cling superstitiously to our premeditated scheme. For premeditation is not so accurate as to leave no room for happy inspiration: even when writing we often insert thoughts which occur to us on the spur of the moment. Consequently this form of preparation must be conceived on such lines that we shall find no difficulty either in departing from it or returning to it at will. |
| 3149 |
Nam ut primum est domo adferre paratam dicendi copiam et certam , ita refutare temporis munera longe stultissimum est . Quare cogitatio in hoc praeparetur , ut nos fortuna decipere non possit , adiuvare possit . Id autem fiet memoriae viribus , ut illa , quae complexi animo sumus , fluant secura , non sollicitos et respicientes et una spe suspensos recordationis non sinant providere . Alioqui vel extemporalem temeritatem malo quam male cohaerentem cogitationem .
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For, although it is essential to bring with us into court a supply of eloquence which has been prepared in advance in the study and on which we can confidently rely, there is no greater folly than the rejection of the gifts of the moment. Therefore our premeditation should be such that fortune may never be able to fool us, but may, on the contrary, be able to assist us. This end will be obtained by developing the power of memory so that our conceptions may flow from us without fear of disaster, and that we may be enabled to look ahead without anxious backward glances or the feeling that we are absolutely dependent on what we can call to mind. Otherwise I prefer the rashness of improvisation to the coherence given by premeditation. |
| 3150 |
Peius enim quaeritur retrorsus , quia , dum illa desideramus , ab allis avertimur , et ex memoria potius res petimus quam ex materia . Plura sunt autem , si utrimque quaerendum est , quae inveniri possunt quam quae inventa sunt .
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For such backward glances place us at a disadvantage, because our search for our premeditated ideas makes us miss others, and we draw our matter from our memory rather than from the subject on which we are speaking. And even if we are to rely on our memory and our subject alike, there are more things that may be discovered than ever yet have been. |
| 3151 |
Maximus vero studiorum fructus est et velut primus quoddam amplissimum longi laboris ex tempore dicendi facultas , quam qui non erit consecutus , mea quidem sententia civilibus officiis renuntiabit et solam scribendi facultatem potius ad alia opera convertet . Vix enim bonae fidei viro convenit auxilium in publicum polliceri , quod praesentissimis quibusque periculis desit , intrare portum ad quem navis accedere nisi lenibus ventis vecta non possit ,
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But the crown of all our study and the highest reward of our long labours is the power of improvisation. The man who fails to acquire this had better, in my opinion, abandon the task of advocacy and devote his powers of writing to other branches of literature. For it is scarcely decent for an honourable man to promise assistance to the public at large which he may be unable to provide in the most serious emergencies, or to attempt to enter a harbour which his ship cannot hope to make save when sailing before a gentle breeze. |
| 3152 |
siquidem innumerabiles accidunt subitae necessitates vel apud magistratus vel repraesentatis iudiciis continuo agendi . Quarum si qua , non dico cuicunque innocentium civium sed amicorum ac propinquorum alicui evenerit , stabitne mutus et salutarem petentibus uocem statimque , si non succurratur , perituris , moras et secessum et silentium quaeret , dum illa verba fabricentur et memoriae insidant et vox ac latus praeparetur ?
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For there are countless occasions when the sudden necessity may be imposed upon him of speaking without preparation before the magistrates or in a trial which comes on unexpectedly. And if any such sudden emergency befalls, I will not say any innocent citizen, but some one of the orator's friends or connexions, is he to stand tongue-tied and, in answer to those who seek salvation in his eloquence and are doomed, unless they secure assistance, to ask for delay of proceedings and time for silent and secluded study, till such moment as he can piece together the words that fail him, commit them to memory and prepare his voice and lungs for the effort? |
| 3153 |
Quae vero patitur hoc ratio , ut quisquam possit orator omittere aliquando casus Quid , cum adversario respondendum erit , fiet ? Nam saepe ea , quae opinati sumus et contra quae scripsimus , fallunt , ac tota subito causa mutatur ; atque ut gubernatori ad incursus tempestatum , sic agenti ad varietatem causarum ratio mutando est .
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What theory of the duties of an orator is there which permits him to ignore such sudden issues? What will happen when he has to reply to his opponent? For often the expected arguments to which we have written a reply fail us and the whole aspect of the case undergoes a sudden change; consequently the variation to which cases are liable makes it as necessary for us to change our methods as it is for a pilot to change his course before the oncoming storm. |
| 3154 |
Quid porro multus stilus et adsidua lectio et longa studiorum aetas facit , si manet eadem quae fuit incipientibus difficultas ? Perisse profecto confitendum est praeteritum laborem , cui semper idem laborandum est . Neque ego hoc ago ut ex tempore dicere malit , sed ut possit . Id autem maxime hoc modo consequemur .
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Again, what use is much writing, assiduous reading and long years of study, if the difficulty is to remain as great as it was in the beginning? The man who is always faced with the same labour can only confess that his past labour has been spent in vain. I do not ask him to prefer to speak extempore, but merely that lie should be able to do so. And this capacity is best acquired by the following method. |