Institutio Oratoria (Quintilian)

[Close]

	Institutio Oratoria Author: Quintilian	Translator: Harold Edgeworth Butler
3345	Sed his ipsis media interiacent multa , et ut facies , quanquam ex paucissimis constat , infinitam habet differentiam , ita vox , etsi paucas , quae nominari possint , continet species , propria cuique est , et non haec minus auribus quam oculis illa dinoscitur .	But here again there are many intermediate gradations between the two extremes, and just as the face, although it consists of a limited number of features, yet possesses infinite variety of expression, so it is with the voice: for though it possesses but few varieties to which we can give a name, yet every human being possesses a distinctive voice of his own, which is as easily distinguished by the ear as are facial characteristics by the eye.
3346	Augentur autem sicut omnium , ita vocis quoque bona cura , negligentia minuuntur . Sed cura non eadem oratoribus quae phonascis convenit ; tamen multa sunt utrisque communia , firmitas corporis , ne ad spadonum et mulierum et aegrorum exilitatem vox nostra tenuetur ; quod ambulatio , unctio , veneris abstinentia , facilis ciborum digestio , id est frugalitas , praestat .	The good qualities of the voice, like everything else, are improved by training and impaired by neglect. But the training required by the orator is not the same as that which is practised by the singing-master, although the two methods have many points in common. In both cases physical robustness is essential to save the voice from dwindling to the feeble shrillness that characterises the voices of eunuchs, women and invalids, and the means for creating such robustness are to be found in walking, rubbing-down with oil, abstinence from sexual intercourse, an easy digestion, and, in a word, in the simple life.
3347	Praeterea ut sint fauces integrae , id est molles ac leves , quarum vitio et frangitur et obscuratur et exasperatur et scinditur vox . Nam ut tibiae eodem spiritu accepto alium clausis , alium apertis foraminibus , alium non satis purgatae , alium quassae sonum reddunt , ita fauces tumentes strangulant vocem , obtusae obscurant , rasae exasperant , convulsae fractis sunt organis similes .	Further, the throat must be sound, that is to say, soft and smooth; for if the throat be unsound, the voice is broken or dulled or becomes harsh or squeaky. For just as the sound produced in the pipe by the same volume of breath varies according as the stops are closed or open, or the instrument is clogged or cracked, so the voice is strangled if the throat be swollen, and muffled if it is obstructed, while it becomes rasping if the throat is inflamed, and may be compared to an organ with broken pipes in cases where the throat is subject to spasms.
3348	Finditur etiam spiritus obiectu aliquo sicut lapillo tenues aquae , quarum cursus etiamsi ultra paulum coit , aliquid tamen cavi relinquit post id ipsum quod offenderat . Humor quoque vocem ut nimius impedit , ita consumptus destituit . Nam fatigatio , ut corpora , non ad praesens modo tempus , sed etiam in futurum adficit .	Again, the presence of some obstacle may divide the breath just as a pebble will divide shallow waters, which, although their currents unite again soon after the obstruction is past, still leave a hollow space in rear of the object struck. An excess of moisture also impedes the voice, while a deficiency weakens it. As regards fatigue, its effect is the same as upon the body: it affects the voice not merely at the moment of speaking, but for some time afterwards.
3349	Sed ut communiter et phonascis et oratoribus necessaria est exercitatio , qua omnia convalescent , ita curae non idem genus est . Nam neque certa tempora ad spatiandum dari possunt tot civilibus officiis occupato , nec praeparare ab imis sonis vocem ad summos nec semper a contentione condere licet , cum pluribus iudiciis saepe dicendum sit .	But while exercise, which gives strength in all cases, is equally necessary both for orators and singing-masters, it is a different kind of exercise which they require. For the orator is too much occupied by civil affairs to be able to allot fixed times for taking a walk, and he cannot tune his voice through all the notes of the scale nor spare it exertion, since it is frequently necessary for him to speak in several cases in succession.
3350	Ne ciborum quidem est eadem observatio . Non enim tam molli teneraque voce quam forti ac durabili opus est , cum illi omnes etiam altissimos sonos leniant cantu oris , nobis pleraque aspere sint concitateque dicenda et vigilandae noctes et fuligo lucubrationum bibenda et in sudata veste durandum .	Nor is the same regime suitable as regards food: for the orator needs a strong and enduring voice rather than one which is soft and sweet, while the singer mellows all sounds, even the highest, by the modulation of his voice, whereas we have often to speak in harsh and agitated tones, must pass wakeful nights, swallow the soot that is produced by the midnight oil and stick to our work though our clothes be dripping with sweat.
3351	Quare vocem deliciis non molliamus , nec imbuatur ea consuetudine , quam desideratura sit ; sed exercitatio eius talis sit qualis usus , ne silentio subsidat , sed firmetur consuetudine , qua difficultas omnis levatur .	Consequently, we must not attempt to mellow our voice by coddling it nor accustom it to the conditions which it would like to enjoy, but rather give it exercise suited to the tasks on which it will be employed, never allowing it to be impaired by silence, but strengthening it by practice, which removes all difficulties.
3352	Ediscere autem , quo exercearis , erit optimum ( nam ex tempore dicentes avocat a cura vocis ille , qui ex rebus ipsis concipitur , adfectus ) et ediscere quam maxime varia , quae et clamorem et disputationem et sermonem et flexus habeant , ut simul in omnia paremur . Hoc satis est ;	The best method for securing such exercise is to learn passages by heart (for if we have to speak extempore, the passion inspired by our theme will distract us from all care for our voice), while the passages selected for the purpose should be as varied as possible, involving a combination of loud, argumentative, colloquial and modulated utterance, so that we may prepare ourselves for all exigencies simultaneously. This will be sufficient.
3353	alioqui nitida illa et curata vox insolitum laborem recusabit , ut assueta gymnasiis et oleo corpora , quamlibet sint in suis certaminibus speciosa atque robusta , si militare iter fascemque et vigilias imperes , deficiant et quaerant unctores suos nudumque sudorem .	Otherwise your delicate, over trained voice will succumb before any unusual exertion, like bodies accustomed to the oil of the training school, which for all the imposing robustness which they display in their own contests, yet, if ordered to make a day's march with the troops, to carry burdens and mount guard at night, would faint beneath the task and long for their trainers to rub them down with oil and for the free perspiration of the naked limbs.
3354	Illa quidem in hoc opere praecipi quis ferat vitandos soles atque ventos et nubila etiam ac siccitates ? Ita , si dicendum in sole aut ventoso , humido , calido die fuerit , reos deseremus ? Nam crudum quidem aut saturum aut ebrium aut eiecto modo vomitu , quae cavenda quidam monent , declamare neminem , qui sit mentis compos , puto .	Who would tolerate me if in a work such as this I were to prescribe avoidance of exposure to sun, wind, rain or parching heat? If we are called upon to speak in the sun or on a windy, wet or warm day, is that a reason for deserting the client whom we have undertaken to defend? While as for the warning given by some that the orator should not speak when dyspeptic, replete or drunk, or immediately after vomiting, I think that no sane person would dream of declaiming under such circumstances.
3355	Illud non sine causa est ab omnibus praeceptum , ut parcatur maxime voci in illo a pueritia in adolescentiam transitu , quia naturaliter impeditur , non , ut arbitror , propter calorem , quod quidam putaverunt ( nam est maior alias ) , sed propter humorem potius ; nam hoc aetas illa turgescit .	There is, however, good reason for the rule prescribed by all authorities, that the voice should not be overstrained in the years of transition between boyhood and manhood, since at that period it is naturally weak, not, I think, on account of heat, as some allege (for there is more heat in the body at other periods), but rather on account of moisture, of which at that age there is a superabundance.
3356	Itaque nares etiam ac pectus eo tempore tument , atque omnia velut germinant eoque sunt tenera et iniuriae obnoxia . Sed , ut ad propositum redeam , iam confirmatae constitutaeque voci genus exercitationis optimum duco , quod est operi simillimum , dicere cotidie sicut agimus . Namque hoc modo non vox tantum confirmatur et latus , sed etiam corporis decens et accommodatus orationi motus componitur .	For this reason the nostrils and the breast swell at this stage, and all the organs develop new growth, with the result that they are tender and liable to injury. However, to return to the point, the best and most realistic form of exercise for the voice, once it has become firm and set, is, in my opinion, the practice of speaking daily just as we plead in the courts. For thus, not merely do the voice and lungs gain in strength, but we acquire a becoming deportment of the body and develop grace of movement suited to our style of speaking.
3357	Non alia est autem ratio pronuntiationis quam ipsius orationis . Nam ut illa emendata , dilucida , ornata , apta esse debet , ita haec quoque emendata erit , id est , vitio carebit , si fuerit os facile , explanatum , iucundum , urbanum , id est , in quo nulla neque rusticitas neque peregrinitas resonet .	The rules for delivery are identical with those for the language of oratory itself. For, as our language must be correct, clear, ornate and appropriate, so with our delivery; it will be correct, that is, free from fault, if our utterance be fluent, clear, pleasant and "urbane," that is to say, free from all traces of a rustic or a foreign accent.
3358	Non enim sine causa dicitur barbarum Graecumve . Nam sonis homines ut aera tinnitu dinoscimus . Ita fiet illud , quod Ennius probat , cum dicit suaviloquenti ore Cethegum fuisse , non quod Cicero in his reprehendit , quos ait latrare non agere . Sunt enim multa vitia , de quibus dixi , cum in quadam primi libri parte puerorum ora formarem , opportunius ratus , in ea aetate facere illorum mentionem , in qua emendari possunt .	For there is good reason for the saying we so often hear, "He must be a barbarian or a Greek" : since we may discern a man's nationality from the sound of his voice as easily as we test a coin by its ring. If these qualities be present, we shall have those harmonious accents of which Ennius expresses his approval when he describes Cethegus as one whose "words rang sweetly," and avoid the opposite effect, of which Cicero expresses his disapproval by saying, "They bark, not plead." For there are many faults of which I spoke in the first book when I discussed the method in which the speech of children should be formed, since I thought it more appropriate to mention them in connexion with a period of life when it is still possible to correct them.
3359	Itemque si ipsa vox primum fuerit , ut sic dicam , sana , id est , nullum eorum , de quibus modo rettuli , patietur incommodum ; deinde non subsurda , rudis , immanis , dura , rigida , rava , praepinguis , aut tenuis , inanis , acerba , pusilla , mollis , effeminata , spiritus nec brevis nec parum durabilis nec in receptu difficilis .	Again, the delivery may be described as correct if the voice be sound, that is to say, exempt from any of the defects of which I have just spoken, and if it is not dull, coarse, exaggerated, hard, stiff, hoarse or thick, or again, thin, hollow, sharp, feeble, soft or effeminate, and if the breath is neither too short nor difficult to sustain or recover.
3360	Dilucida vero erit pronuntiatio prinum , si verba tota exierint , quorum pars devorari , pars destitui solet , plerisque extremas syllabas non perferentibus , dum priorum sono indulgent . Ut est autem necessaria uerborum explanatio , ita omnes imputare et velut adnumerare litteras molestum et odiosum .	The delivery will be clear if, in the first place, the words are uttered in their entirety, instead of being swallowed or clipped, as is so often the case, since too many people fail to complete the final syllables through over-emphasising the first. But although words must be given their full phonetic value, it is a tiresome and offensive trick to pronounce every letter as if we were entering them in an inventory.
3361	Nam et vocales frequentissime coeunt , et consonantium quaedam insequente vocali dissimulantur . Utriusque exemplum posuimus : " Mullum ille et terris " Vitatur etiam duriorum inter se congressus ,	For vowels frequently coalesce and some consonants disappear when followed by a vowel. I have already given an example of both these occurrences:— mullum ille et terris.
3362	unde pellexit et collegit , et quae alio loco dicta sunt ; ideoque laudatur in Catulo suavis appellatio litterarum . Secundum est , ut sit oratio distincta , id est , qui dicit , et incipiat ubi oportet et desinat . Observandum etiam , quo loco sustinendus et quasi suspendendus sermo sit , quod Graeci ὑποδιαστολήν vel ὑποστιγμήν vocant , quo deponendus .	Further, we avoid placing two consonants near each other when their juxtaposition would cause a harsh sound; thus, we say pellexit and collegiate and employ other like forms of which I have spoken elsewhere. It is with this in mind that Cicero praises Catulus for the sweetness with which he pronounced the various letters. The second essential for clearness of delivery is that our language should be properly punctuated, that is to say, the speaker must begin and end at the proper place. It is also necessary to note at what point our speech should pause and be momentarily suspended (which the Greeks term ὑποδιαστολὴ and ὑποστιγμὴ and when it should come to a full stop.
3363	Suspenditur Arma virumque cano , quia illud virum ad sequentia pertinet , ut sit virum Troiae qui primus ab oris , et hic iterum . Nam etiamsi aliud est , unde venit quam quo venit , non distinguendum tamen , quia utrumque eodem verbo continetur venit .	After the words arma virumque cano there is a momentary suspension, because virum is connected with what follows, the full sense being given by virum Troiae qui primus ab oris, after which there is a similar suspension. For although the mention of the hero's destination introduces an idea different from that of the place whence he came, the difference does not call for the insertion of a stop, since both ideas are expressed by the same verb venit.
3364	Tertio Italiam , quia interiectio est fato profugus et continuum sermonem , qui faciebat Italiam Lavinaque , dividit . Ob eandemque causam quarto profugus , deinde Lavinaque venit litora , ubi iam erit distinctio , quia inde alius incipit sensus . Sed in ipsis etiam distinctionibus tempus alias brevius , alias longius dabimus ; interest enim , sermonem finiant an sensum .	After Italiam comes a third pause, since fato profugus is parenthetic and breaks up the continuity of the phrase Italian, Lavinaque. For the same reason there is a fourth pause after profulgus. Then follows Lavinaque venit litora, where a stop must be placed, as at this point a new sentence begins. But stops themselves vary in length, according as they mark the conclusion of a phrase or a sentence.
3365	Itaque illam distinctionem Litora protinus altero spiritus initio insequar ; cum illuc venero Atque altae moenia Romae , deponam et morabor et novum rursus exordium faciam .	Thus after litora I shall pause and continue after taking breath. But when I come to atque altae moenia Romae I shall make a full stop, halt and start again with the opening of a fresh sentence.
3366	Sunt aliquando et sine respiratione quaedam morae etiam in periodis . Ut enim illa In coetu vero populi Romani , negotium publicum gerens , magister equitum , et ., multa membra habent ( sensus enim sunt alii atque alii ) , sed unam circumductionem , ita paulum morandum in his intervallis , non interrumpendus est contextus . Et e contrario spiritum interim recipere sine intellectu morae necesse est , quo loco quasi surripiendus est ; alioqui si inscite recipiatur , non minus adferat obscuritatis quam vitiosa distinctio . Virtus autem distinguendi fortasse sit parva ; sine qua tamen esse nulla alia in agendo potest .	There are also occasionally, even in periods, pauses which do not require a fresh breath. For although the sentence in coetu vero populi Romani, negotium publicumn gerens, magister equilum, etc., contains a number of different cola, expressing a number of different thoughts, all these cola are embraced by a single period: consequently, although short pauses are required at the appropriate intervals, the flow of the period as a whole must not be broken. On the other hand, it is at times necessary to take breath without any perceptible pause: in such cases we must do so surreptitiously, since if we take breath unskilfully, it will cause as much obscurity as would have resulted from faulty punctuation. Correctness of punctuation may seem to be but a trivial merit, but without it all the other merits of oratory are nothing worth.
3367	Ornata est pronuntiatio , cui suffragatur vox facilis , magna te , beata , flexibilis , firma , dulcis , durabilis , clara , pura , secans aëra et auribus sedens ( est enim quaedam ad auditum accommodata non magnitudine , sed proprietate ) , ad hoc velut tractabilis , utique habens omnes in se qui desiderantur sinus intentionesque et toto , ut aiunt , organo instructa ; cui aderit lateris firmitas , spiritus cum spatio pertinax , tum labori non facile cessurus .	Delivery will be ornate when it is supported by a voice that is easy, strong, rich, flexible, firm, sweet, enduring, resonant, pure, carrying far and penetrating the ear (for there is a type of voice which impresses the hearing not by its volume, but by its peculiar quality): in addition, the voice must be easily managed and must possess all the necessary inflexions and modulations, in fact it must, as the saying is, be a perfect instrument, equipped with every stop: further, it must have strong lungs to sustain it, and ample breathing power that will be equal to all demands upon it, however fatiguing.
3368	Neque gravissimus autem in musica sonus nec acutissimus orationibus convenit . Nam et hic parum clarus nimiumque plenus nullum adferre animis motum potest , et ille praetenuis et immodicae claritatis , cum est ultra verum , tum neque pronuntiatione flecti neque diutius ferre intentionem potest .	The deepest bass and the highest treble notes are unsuited to oratory: for the former lack clearness and, owing to their excessive fullness, have no emotional power, while the latter are too thin and, owing to excess of clearness, give an impression of extravagance and are incompatible with the inflexions demanded by delivery and place too great a strain upon the voice.
3369	Nam vox ut nervi , quo remissior , hoc gravior et plenior , quo tensior , hoc tennis et acuta magis est . Sic ina vim non habet , summa rumpi periclitatur . Mediis ergo utendum sonis , hique tum augenda intentione excitandi , tum summittenda sunt temperandi .	For the voice is like the strings of a musical instrument; the slacker it is the deeper and fuller the note produced, whereas if it be tightened, the sound becomes thinner and shriller. Consequently, the deepest notes lack force, and the higher run the risk of cracking the voice. The orator will, therefore, employ the intermediate notes, which must be raised when we speak with energy and lowered when we adopt a more subdued tone.
3370	Nam prima est observatio recte pronuntiandi aequalitas , ne sermo subsultet imparibus spatiis ac sonis , miscens longa brevibus , gravia acutis , elata summissis , et inaequalitate horum omnium sicut pedum claudicet ; secunda varietas , quod solum est pronuntiatio .	For the first essential of a good delivery is evenness. The voice must not run joltingly, with irregularity of rhythm and sound, mixing long and short syllables, grave accents and acute, tones loud and low, without discrimination, the result being that this universal unevenness produces the impression of a limping gait. The second essential is variety of tone, and it is in this alone that delivery really consists.
3371	Ac ne quis pugnare inter se putet aequalitatem et varietatem , cum illi virtuti contrarium vitium sit inaequalitas , huic , quod dicitur μονοείδεια , quasi quidam unus aspectus . Ars porro variandi cum gratiam praebet ac renovat aures , tum dicentem ipsa laboris mutatione reficit , ut standi , ambulandi ,	I must warn my readers not to fall into the error of supposing that evenness and variety are incompatible with one another, since the fault opposed to evenness is unevenness, while the opposite of variety is that which the Greeks term μονοείδεια, or uniformity of aspect. The art of producing variety not merely charms and refreshes the ear, but, by the very fact that it involves a change of effort, revives the speaker's flagging energies. It is like the relief caused by changes in position, such as are involved by standing, walking, sitting and lying, none of which can be endured for a long time together.
3372	sedendi , iacendi vices sunt , nihilque eorum pati unum diu possumus . Illud vero maximum ( sed id paulo post tractabimus ) , quod secundum rationem rerum , de quibus dicimus , animorumque habitus conformanda vox est , ne ab oratione discordet . Vitemus igitur illam , quae Graece μονοτονία vocatur , una quaedam spiritus ac soni intentio ; non solum ne dicamus omnia clamose , quod insanum est , aut intra loquendi modum , quod motu caret , aut summisso murmure , quo etiam debilitatur omnis intentio ;	But the most important point (which I shall proceed to discuss a little later) is the necessity of adapting the voice to suit the nature of the various subjects on which we are speaking and the moods that they demand: otherwise our voice will be at variance with our language. We must, therefore, avoid that which the Greeks call monotony, that is to say, the unvarying exertion both of lungs and voice. By this I do not simply mean that we must avoid saying everything in a loud tone, a fault which amounts to madness, or in a colloquial tone, which creates an impression of lifelessness, or in a subdued murmur, which is utterly destructive of all vigour.
3373	sed ut in iisdem partibus iisdemque adfectibus sint tamen quaedam non ita magnae vocis declinationes , prout aut verborum dignitas aut sententiarum natura aut depositio aut inceptio aut transitus postulabit : ut , qui singulis pinxerunt coloribus , alia tamen eminentiora alia reductiora fecerunt , sine quo ne membris quidem suas lineas dedissent .	What I mean is this: within the limits of one passage and the compass of one emotion we may vary our tone to a certain, though not a very great extent, according as the dignity of the language, the nature of the thought, the conclusion and opening of our sentences or transitions from one point to another, may demand. Thus, those who paint in monochrome still represent their objects in different planes, since otherwise it would have been impossible to depict even the limbs of their figures.
3374	Proponamus enim nobis illud Ciceronis in oratione nobilissima pro Milone principium ; nonne ad singulas paene distinctiones quamvis in eadem facie tamen quasi vultus mutandus est ? Etsi vereor , iudices , ne turpe sit , pro fortissimo viro dicere incipientem timere .	Let us take as an example the opening of Cicero's magnificent speech in defence of Milo. Is it not clear that the orator has to change his tone almost at every stop? it is the same face, but the expression is changed. Etsi vereor, iudices, ne turpe sit,
3375	Etiamsi est toto proposito contractum atque summissum , quia et exordium est et solliciti exordium , tamen fuerit necesse est aliquid plenius et erectius , dum dicit Pro fortissimo viro , quam cum Etsi vereor et Turpe sit et Timere .	pre fortissimo viro dicere incipientem timere. Although the general tone of the passage is restrained and subdued, since it is not merely an exordium, but the exordium of a man suffering from serious anxiety, still something fuller and bolder is required in the tone, when he says pro fortissiomo viro, than when he says etsi cereor and turpe sit and timere.
3376	Iam secunda respiratio increscat oportet et naturali quodam conatu , quo minus pavide dicimus quae sequuntur , et quod magnitudo animi Milonis ostenditur : Minimeque deceat , cum T . Annius ipse magis de rei publicae salute quam de sua perturbetur . Deinde quasi obiurgatio sui est : Me ad eius causam parem animi magnitudinem ut ferre non posse .	But his second breath must be more vigorous, partly owing to the natural increase of effort, since we always speak our second sentence with less timidity, and partly because he indicates the high courage of Milo: minimeque deceat, cum T. Annius ipse magis de rei publicae salute quam de sua perturbetur. Then he proceeds to something like a reproof of himself: me ad eius causam parem animi maguitudinem adferre non posse.
3377	Tum invidiosiora : Tamen haec novi iudicii nova forma terret oculos . Illa vero iam paene apertis , ut aiunt , tibiis : Qui , quocunque inciderunt , consuetudinem fori et pristinum morem iudiciorum requirunt . Nam sequens latum etiam atque fusum est : Non enim corona consessus vester cinctus est , ut solebat .	The next clause suggests a reflexion on the conduct of others: tamen haec novi iudicii nova forma terret oculos. And then in what follows he opens every stop, as the saying is: qui, quocunque inciderunt, consuetudinem fori et pristinum morem iudiciorum requirunt: while the next clause is even fuller and freer: non enim corona cousessus vester cinctus est, ut solebat.
3378	Quod notavi , ut appareret , non solum in membris causae , sed etiam in articulis esse aliquam pronuntiandi uarietatem , sine qua nihil neque maius neque minus est . Vox autem ultra vires urgenda non est . Nam et suffocatur saepe et maiore nisu minus clara est et interim elisa in illum sonum erumpit , cui Graeci nomen a gallorum immaturo cantu dederunt .	I have called attention to these points to make it clear that there is a certain variety, not merely in the delivery of cola, but even in that of phrases consisting of one word, a variety the lack of which would make every word seem of equal importance. The voice, however, must not be pressed beyond its powers, for it is liable to be choked and to become less and less clear in proportion to the increase of effort, while at times it will break altogether and produce the sound to which the Greeks have given a name derived from the crowing of cocks before the voice is developed.
3379	Nec volubilitate nimia confundenda quae dicimus , qua et distinctio perit et adfectus , et nonnunquam etiam verba aliqua sui parte fraudantur . Cui contrarium est vitium nimiae tarditatis ; nam et difficultatem inveniendi fatetur et segnitia solvit animos et , in quo est aliquid , temporibus praefinitis aquam perdit . Promptum sit os , non praeceps , moderatum , non lentum ;	We must also beware of confusing our utterance by excessive volubility, which results in disregard of punctuation, loss of emotional power, and sometimes in the clipping of words. The opposite fault is excessive slowness of speech, which is a sign of lack of readiness in invention, tends by its sluggishness to render our hearers inattentive, and, further, wastes the time allotted to us for speaking, a consideration which is of some importance. Our speech must be ready, but not precipitate, under control, but not slow,
3380	spiritus quoque nec crebro receptus concidat sententiam , nec eo usque trahatur , donec deficiat . Nam et deformis est consumpti illius sonus et respiratio sub aqua diu pressi similis et receptus longior et non opportunus , ut qui fiat non ubi volumus , sed ubi necesse est . Quare longiorem dicturis periodum colligendus est spiritus , ita tamen , ut id neque diu neque cum sono faciamus , neque omnino ut manifestum sit ; reliquis partibus optime inter iuncturas sermonis revocabitur .	while we must not take breath so often as to break up our sentence, nor, on the other hand, sustain it until it fails us from exhaustion. For the sound produced by loss of breath is disagreeable; we gasp like a drowning man and fill our lungs with long drawn inhalations at in appropriate moments, giving the impression that our action is due not to choice, but to compulsion. Therefore, in attacking a period of abnormal length, we should collect our breath, but quickly, noiselessly and imperceptibly. On other occasions we shall be able to take breath at the natural breaks in the substance of our speech.
3381	Exercendus autem est , ut sit quam longissimus ; quod Demosthenes ut efficeret , scandens in adversum continuabat quam posset plurimos versus . Idem , quo facilius verba ore libero exprimeret , calculos lingua volvens dicere domi solebat .	But we must exercise our breathing capacity to make it as great as possible. To produce this result Demosthenes used to recite as many successive lines as possible, while he was climbing a hill. He also, with a view to securing fluency free from impediment, used to roll pebbles under his tongue when speaking in the privacy of his study.
3382	Est interim et longus et plenus et clarus satis spiritus , non tamen firmae intentionis ideoque tremulus , ut corpora , quae aspectu integra nervis parum sustinentur ; id βρασμόν Graeci vocant . Sunt qui spiritum cum stridore per raritatem dentium non recipiunt , sed resorbent . Sunt qui crebro anhelitu et introrsum etiam clare sonante imitentur iumenta onere et iugo laborantia .	Sometimes the breath, although capable of sustained effort and sufficiently full and clear, lacks firmness when exerted, had for that reason is liable to become tremulous, like bodies which, although to all appearances sound, receive insufficient support from the sinews. This the Greeks call βρασμός. There are some too who, owing to the loss of teeth, do not draw in the breath naturally, but suck it in with a hissing sound. There are others who pant incessantly and so loudly that it is perfectly audible within them: they remind one of heavily-laden beasts of burden straining against the yoke.