Institutio Oratoria |
Translator: Harold Edgeworth Butler
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3649 |
Quae omnia non dum fiunt laudantur , sed cum facta sunt ; unde etiam cupidissimis opinionis plus fructus venit . Nam cum illa dicendi vitiosa iactatio inter plausores suos detonuit , resurgit verae virtutis fortior fama , nec iudices a quo sint moti , dissimulant , et doctis creditur , nec est orationis vera laus nisi cum finita est .
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None of these methods win applause during their actual execution: the reward comes after they have been carried to a successful termination, when even the most ambitious will reap a richer recompense than they could ever have secured by other means. For so soon as the thunders of applause awakened among their admirers by these affected declamatory displays have died away, the glory of true virtue rises again with renewed splendour, the judges do not conceal who it is has moved them, the well-trained orator wins their belief and oratory receives its only genuine tribute, the praise accorded it when its task is done. |
3650 |
Veteribus quidem etiam dissimulare eloquentiam fuit moris , idque M . Antonius praecipit , quo plus dicentibus fidei minusque suspectae advocatorum insidiae forent . Sed illa dissimulari , quae tum erat , potuit ; nondum enim tantum dicendi lumen accesserat , ut etiam per obstantia erumperet . Quare artes quidem et consilia lateant et quidquid , si deprehenditur , perit . Hactenus eloquentia secretum habet .
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The old orators indeed used to conceal their eloquence, a method which is recommended by Marcus Antonius, as a means of securing that the speaker's words should carry conviction and of masking the advocate's real designs. But the truth is that the eloquence of those days was capable of concealment, for it had not yet attained that splendour of diction which makes it impossible to hide its light under a bushel. Therefore artifice and stratagem should be masked, since detection in such cases spells failure. Thus far, and thus only, may eloquence hope to enjoy the advantages of secrecy. |
3651 |
Verborum quidem delectus , gravitas sententiarum , figurarum elegantia aut non sunt aut apparent . Sed vel propter hoc ipsum ostendenda non sunt quod apparent ; aut si unum sit ex duobus eligendum , causa potius laudetur quam patronus . Finem tamen hunc praestabit orator , ut videatur optimam causam optime egisse . Illud certum erit neminem peius agere quam qui displicente causa placet ; necesse est enim extra causam sit quod placet .
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But when we come to consider the choice of words, the weight essential to general reflexions and the elegance demanded by figures, we are confronted by elements which must either strike the attention or be condemned to nonexistence. But the very fact that they strike the attention is a reason why they should not flaunt themselves obtrusively. And, if we have to make the choice, I should prefer that it should be the cause, and not the orator, to which we award our praise. Nevertheless, the true orator will achieve the distinction of seeming to speak with all the excellence that an excellent case deserves. One thing may be regarded as certain, that no one can plead worse than he who wins applause despite the disapproval meted out to his case. For the inevitable conclusion is that the applause must have been evoked by something having no connexion with the case. |
3652 |
Nec illo fastidio laborabit orator non agendi causas minores , tanquam infra eum sint aut detractura sit opinioni minus liberalis materia . Nam et suscipiendi ratio iustissima est officium , et optandum etiam ut amici quam minimas lites habeant ; et abunde dixit bene , quisquis rei satisfecit .
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Further, the true orator will not turn up his nose at cases of minor importance on the ground of their being beneath his dignity or as being likely to detract from his reputation because the subject matter does not allow his genius full scope. For the strongest reason for undertaking a case is to be fund in our duty towards our clients: nay, we should even desire the suits in which our friends are involved to he as unimportant as possible, and remember that the advocate who gives an adequate presentment to his case, has spoken exceeding well. |
3653 |
At quidam , etiamsi forte susceperunt negotia paulo ad dicendum tenuiora , extrinsecus adductis ea rebus circumlinunt ac , si defecerint alia , conviciis implent vacua causarum , si contingit , veris , si minus , fictis , modo sit materia ingenii mereaturque clamorem dum dicitur . Quod ego adeo longe puto ab oratore perfecto , ut eum ne vera quidem obiecturum , nisi id causa exigit , credam .
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But there are so he who, even although the cases which they have undertaken give but small scope for eloquence, none the less trick it out with matter drawn from without and, if all else fails, fill up the gaps in their case with abuse of their opponents, true if possible, but false if necessary, the sole consideration that weighs with them being that it affords exercise for their talents and is likely to win applause during its delivery. Such conduct seems to me so unworthy of our perfect orator that, in my opinion, he will not even bring true charges against his opponents unless the case demand. |
3654 |
Ea est enim prorsus canina , ut ait Appius , eloquentia , cognituram male dicendi subire ; quod facientibus etiam male audiendi praesumenda patientia est . Nam et in ipsos fit impetus frequenter , qui egerunt , et certe petulantiam patron litigator luit . Sed haec minora sunt ipso illo vitio animi , quod maledicus a malefico non distat nisi occasione .
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For it is a dog's eloquence, as Appius says, to undertake the task of abusing one's opponent, and they who do so should steel themselves in advance to the prospect of being targets for like abuse themselves, since those who adopt this style of pleading are frequently attacked themselves, and there can at any rate be no doubt that the litigant pays dearly for the violence of his advocate. But such faults are less serious than that which lies deep in the soul itself, making the evil speaker to differ from the evil doer only in respect of opportunity. |
3655 |
Turpis voluptas et inhumana et nulli audientium bona gratia a litigatoribus quidem frequenter exigitur , qui ultionem malunt quam defensionem . Sed neque alia multa ad arbitrium eorum facienda sunt . Hoc quidem quis hominum liberi modo sanguinis sustineat petulans esse ad alterius arbitrium ?
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It is not uncommon for the litigant to demand a base and inhuman gratification of his rancour, such as not a single man among the audience will approve, for it is on revenge rather than on protection that his heart is set. But in this, as in a number of other points, it is the duty of the orator to refuse to comply with his clients' desires. For how can a man with the least degree of gentlemanly feeling consent to make a brutal attack merely because another desires it? |
3656 |
Atqui etiam in advocatos partis adversae libenter nonnulli invehuntur ; quod , nisi si forte meruerunt , et inhumanum est respectu communium officiorum , et cum ipsi qui dicit inutile ( nam idem iuris responsuris datur ) , tum causae contrarium , cui plane adversarii fiunt et inimici , et quantulumcunque eis uirium est , contumelia augetur .
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And yet there are some who take pleasure in directing their onslaughts against their opponents' counsel as well, a practice which, unless they have deserved such attacks, shows an inhuman disregard of the duties incumbent on the profession, and is not merely useless to the speaker (since he thereby gives his opponent the right to reply in the same strain), but contrary to the interests of his case, since it creates a hosthe and antagonistic disposition in the advocates attacked, whose eloquence, however feeble it may be, will be redoubled by resentment at the insults to which they have been subjected. |
3657 |
Super omnia perit illa , quae plurimum oratori et auctoritatis et fidei adfert , modestia , si a viro bono in rabulam latratoremque convertitur , compositus non ad animum iudicis sed ad stomachum litigatoris .
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Above all, it involves a complete waste of one of the most valuable of an orator's assets, namely that self-restraint which gives weight and credit to his words, if he debases himself from an honest man into a snarling wrangler, directing all his efforts not to win the goodwill of the judge, but to gratify his client's spite. |
3658 |
Frequenter etiam species libertatis deducere ad temeritatem solet non causis modo , sed ipsis quoque , qui dixerunt , periculosam . Nec immerito Pericles solebat optare , ne quod sibi verbum in mentem veniret , quo populus offenderetur . Sed quod ille de populo , id ego de omnibus sentio , qui tantundem possunt nocere . Nam quae fortia dum dicuntur videbantur , stulta cum laeserunt vocantur .
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Often too the attractions of freedom of speech will lure him into a rashness of language perilous not merely to the interests of the case, but to those of the speaker himself. It was not without good reason that Pericles used to pray that no word might occur to his mind that could give offence to the people. But what he felt with regard to the people, I feel with regard to every audience, since they can cause just as much harm to the orator as the people could ever do to Pericles. For utterances which seemed courageous at the moment of speaking, are called foolish when it is found that they have given offence. |
3659 |
Nunc , quia varium fere propositum agentium fuit , et quorundam cura tarditatis , quorundam facilitas temeritatis crimine laboravit , quem credam fore in hoc oratoris modum , tradere non alienum videtur .
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In view of the tact that there is commonly a great variety in the aims which pleaders set before themselves and that the diligence shown by some is branded as tedious caution, while the readiness of others is criticised as rashness, I think that this will be an appropriate place to set forth my views as to how the orator may strike the happy mean. |
3660 |
Adferet ad dicendum curae semper quantum plurimum poterit . Neque enim hoc solum negligentis , sed mali et in suscepta causa perfidi ac proditoris est , peius agere quam possit . Ideoque ne suscipiendae quidem sunt causae plures quam quibus suffecturum se sciat .
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He will show all the diligence of which he is capable in his pleading. For to plead worse than he might have done, is not merely an indication of negligence, but stamps him as a had man and a traitor, disloyal to the cause which he has undertaken. Consequently he must refuse to undertake more cases than he feels he can manage. |
3661 |
Dicet scripta quam res patietur plurima et , ut Demosthenes ait , si continget , et sculpta . Sed hoc aut primae actiones aut quae in publicis iudiciis post interiectos dies dantur permiserint ; at cum protinus respondendum est , omnia parari non possunt , adeo ut paulo minus promptis etiam noceat scripsisse , si alia ex diverso , quam opinati fuerint , occurrerint .
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As far as possible he will deliver only what he has written, and, if circumstances permit, only what he has, as Demosthenes says, carved into shape. Such a practice is possible in first hearings and also in subsequent hearings such as are granted in the public courts after an interval of several days. On the other hand, when we have to reply on the spot, it is impossible to prepare everything: in fact for the less ready type of speaker, it may, in the event of his opponents putting forward arguments quite other than those which they were expected to advance, be a positive drawback to have written anything. |
3662 |
Inviti enim recedunt a praeparatis et tota actione respiciunt requiruntque , num aliquid ex illis intervelli atque ex tempore dicendis inseri possit ; quod si fiat , non cohaeret nec commissuris modo , ut in opere male iuncto , hiantibus sed ipsa coloris inaequalitate detegitur .
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For it is only with reluctance that such speakers will under such circumstances consent to abandon what they have written, and throughout their pleading keep looking back and trying to discover whether any portion of their manuscript can be saved from the wreck and interpolated into what they have to improvise. And if they do make such interpolations, the result is a lack of' cohesion which is betrayed not merely by the gaping of the seams where the patch has been unskilfully inserted, but by the differences of style. |
3663 |
Ita nec liber est impetus nec cura contexta , et utrumque alteri obstat ; illa enim quae scripta sunt reticent animum , non sequuntur . Itaque in his actionibus omni , ut agricolae dicunt , pede standum est .
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Consequently, the vigour of their eloquence will be hampered and their thought will lack connexion, each of which circumstances reacts unfavourably upon the other, since what is written trammels the mind instead of following its lead. Therefore, in such pleadings we must, as the rustic adage says, "stand on all our feet." |
3664 |
Nam cum in propositione ac refutatione causa consistat , quae nostrae partis sunt scripta esse possunt , quae etiam responsurum adversarium certum est ( est enim aliquando certum ) pari cura refelluntur . Ad alia unum paratum adferre possumus , ut causam bene noverimus , alterum ibi sumere , ut dicentem adversarium diligenter audiamus .
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For since the case turns on the propounding and refutation of arguments, it is always possible to write out what we propose to advance on our own behalf, and similar preparation is also possible with regard to the refutation of such replies as are absolutely certain to be made by our adversary: for there are times when we have this certainty. But with regard to all other portions of our speech, the only preparation that is possible in advance consists in a thorough knowledge of our case, while there is a second precaution which may be taken in court, consisting in giving our best attention to our opponent's speech. |
3665 |
Licet tamen praecogitare plura et animum ad omnes casus componere , idque est tutius stilo , quo facilius et omittitur cogitatio et transfertur . Sed sive in respondendo fuerit subito dicendum , sive quae alia ita exegerit ratio , non oppressum se ac deprehensum credet orator , cui disciplina et studium et exercitatio dederit vires etiam facilitatis ;
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On the other hand, there is much that may be thought out in advance and we may forearm our mind against all possible emergencies, a course which is far safer than writing, since a train of thought can easily be abandoned or diverted in a new direction. But whether we have to improvise a reply, or are obliged to speak extempore by some other reason, the orator on whom training, study and practice have conferred the gift of facility, will never regard himself as lost or taken at hopeless disadvantage. |
3666 |
quem armatum semper ac velut in procinctu stantem non magis unquam in causis oratio quam in rebus cotidianis ac domesticis sermo deficiet , nec se unquam propter hoc oneri subtrahet , modo sit causae discendae tempus ; nam cetera semper sciet .
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He stands armed for battle, ever ready for the fray, and his eloquence will no more fail him in the courts than speech will fail him in domestic affairs and the daily concerns of life: and he will never shirk his burden for fear of failing to find words, provided he has time to study his case: for all other knowledge will always be his at command. |
3667 |
Superest ut dicam de genere orationis . Hic erat propositus a nobis in division prima locus tertius ; nam ita promiseram me de arte , de artifice , de opere dicturum . Cum sit autem rhetorices atque oratoris opus oratio pluresque eius formae , sicut ostendam , in omnibus his et ars est et artifex . Plurimum tamen invicem differunt ; nec solum specie , ut signum signo et tabula tabulae et actio actioni , sed genere ipso , ut Graecis Tuscanicae statuae , ut Asianus eloquens Attico .
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The question of the "kind of style" to be adopted remains to be discussed. This was described in my original division of my subject as forming its third portion: for I promised that I would speak of the art, the artist and the work. But since oratory is the work both of rhetoric and of the orator, and since it has many forms, as I shall show, the art and the artist are involved in the consideration of all these forms. But they differ greatly from one another, and not merely in species, as statue differs from statue, picture from picture and speech from speech, but in genus as well, as, for example, Etruscan statues differ from Greek and Asiatic orators from Attic. |
3668 |
Suos autem haec operum genera , quae dico , ut auctores , sic etiam amatores habent ; atque ideo nondum est perfectus orator ac nescio an ars ulla , non solum quia aliud in alio magis eminet , sed quod non una omnibus forma placuit , partim condicione vel temporum vel locorum , partim iudicio cuiusque atque proposito .
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But these different kinds of work, of which I speak, are not merely the product of different authors, but have each their own following of admirers, with the result that the perfect orator has not yet been found, a statement which perhaps may be extended to all arts, not merely because some qualities are more evident in some artists than in others, but because one single form will not satisfy all critics, a fact which is due in part to conditions of time or place, in part to the taste and ideals of individuals. |
3669 |
Primi , quorum quidem opera non vetustatis modo gratia visenda sunt , clari pictores fuisse dicuntur Polygnotus atque Aglaophon , quorum simplex color tam sui studiosos adhuc habet , ut illa prope rudia ac velut futurae mox artis primordia maximis , qui post eos exstiterunt , auctoribus praeferant , proprio quodam intelligendi , ut mea opinio est , ambitu .
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The first great painters, whose works deserve inspection for something more than their mere antiquity, are said to have been Polygnotus and Aglaopllon, whose simple colouring has still such enthusiastic admirers that they prefer these almost primitive works, which may be regarded as the first foundations of the art that was to be, over the works of the greatest of their successors, their motive being, in my opinion, an ostentatious desire to seem persons of superior taste. |
3670 |
Post Zeuxis atque Parrhasius non multum aetate distantes , circa Peloponnesia ambo tempora ( Nam cum Parrhasio sermo Socratis apud Xenophontem invenitur ) plurimum arti addiderunt . Quorum prior luminum umbrarumque inuenisse rationem , secundus examinasse subtilius lineas traditur .
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Later Zeuxis and Parrhasius contributed much to the progress of painting. These artists were separated by no great distance of time, since both flourished about the period of the Peloponnesian war: for example, Xenophon has preserved a conversation between Socrates and Parrhasius. The first-mentioned seems to have discovered the method of representing light and shade, while the latter is said to have devoted special attention to the treatment of line. |
3671 |
Nam Zeuxis plus membris corporis dedit , id amplius atque augustius ratus atque , ut existimant , Homerum secutus , cui validissima quaeque forma etiam in feminis placet . Ille vero ita circumscripsit omnia , ut eum legum latorem vocent , quia deorum atque heroum effigies , quales ab eo sunt traditae , ceteri , tanquam ita necesse sit , sequuntur .
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For Zeuxis emphasised the limbs of the human body, thinking thereby to add dignity and grandeur to his style: it is generally supposed that in this he followed the example of Homer, who likes to represent even his female characters as being of heroic mould. Parrhasius, on the other hand, was so fine a draughtsman that he has been styled the law-giver of his art, on the ground that all other artists take his representations of gods and heroes as models, as though no other course were possible. |
3672 |
Floruit autem circa Philippum et usque ad successores Alexandri pictura praecipue , sed diversis virtutibus . Nam cura Protogenes , ratione Pamphilus ac Melanthius , facilitate Antiphilus , concipiendis visionibus , quas φαντασίας vocant , Theon Samius , ingenio et gratia , quam in se ipse maxime iactat , Apelles est praestantissimus . Euphranorem admirandum facit , quod et ceteris optimis studiis inter praecipuos et pingendi fingendique idem mirus artifex fuit .
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It was, however, from about the period of the reign of Philip down to that of the successors of Alexander that painting flourished more especially, although the different artists are distinguished for different excellences. Protogenes, for example, was renowned for accuracy, Pamphilus and Melanthius for soundness of taste, Antiphilus for facility, Theon of Samos for his depiction of imaginary scenes, known as φαντασίαι, and Apelles for genius and grace, in the latter of which qualities he took especial pride. Euphranor, on the other hand, was admired on the ground that, while he ranked with the most eminent masters of other arts, he at the same time achieved marvellous skill in the arts of sculpture and painting. |
3673 |
Similis in statuariis differentia Nam duriora et Tuscanicis proxima Callon atque Hegesias , iam minus rigida Calamis , molliora adhuc supra dictis Myron fecit . Diligentia ac decor in Polyclito supra ceteros , cui quamquam a plerisque tribuitur palma , tamen , ne nihil detrahatur , deesse pondus putant .
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The same differences exist between sculptors. The art of Callon and Hegesias is somewhat rude and recalls the Etruscans, but the work of Calamis has already begun to be less stiff, while Myron's statues show a greater softness of form than had been achieved by the artists just mentioned. Polyclitus surpassed all others for care and grace, but although the majority of critics account him as the greatest of sculptors, to avoid making him faultless they express the opinion that his work is lacking in grandeur. |
3674 |
Nam ut humane formae decorem addiderit supra verum , ita non explevisse deorum auctoritatem videtur . Quin aetatem quoque graviorem dicitur refugisse nihil ausus ultra leves genas . At quae Polyclito defuerunt , Phidiae atque Alcameni dantur .
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For while he gave the human form an ideal grace, he is thought to have been less successful in representing the dignity of the gods. he is further alleged to have shrunk from representing persons of maturer years, and to have ventured on nothing more difficult than a smooth and beardless face. But the qualities lacking in Polyclitus are allowed to have been possessed by Phidias and Alcamenes. |
3675 |
Phidias tamen diis quam hominibus efficiendis melior artifex creditur in ebore vero longe citra aemulum , vel si nihil nisi Minervam Athenis aut Olympium in Elide Iovem fecisset , cuius pulchritudo adiecisse aliquid etiam receptae religioni videtur ; adeo maiestas operis deum aequavit . Ad veritatem Lysippum ac Praxitelen accessisse optime adfirmant . Nam Demetrius tanquam nimius in ea reprehenditur et fuit similitudinis quam pulchritudinis amantior .
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On the other hand, Phidias is regarded as more gifted in his representation of gods than of men, and indeed for chryselephantine statues he is without a peer, as he would in truth be, even if he had produced nothing in this material beyond his Minerva at Athens and his Jupiter at Olympia in Elis, whose beauty is such that it is said to have added something even to the awe with which the god was already regarded: so perfectly did the majesty of the work give the impression of godhead. Lysippus and Praxiteles are asserted to be supreme as regards faithfulness to nature. For Demetrius is blamed for carrying realism too far, and is less concerned about the beauty than the truth of his work. |
3676 |
In oratione vero si species intueri velis , totidem paene reperias ingeniorum quot corporum formas . Sed fuere quaedam genera dicendi condicione temporum horridiora , alioqui magnam iam ingenii vim prae se ferentia . Hinc sint Laelii , Africani , Catones etiam Gracchique , quos tu licet Polygnotos vel Callonas appelles . Mediam illam formam teneant L . Crassus , Q . Hortensius .
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Now, if we turn our attention to the various styles of oratory, we shall find almost as great variety of talents as there are of personal appearance. There were certain kinds of oratory which, owing to the circumstances of the age, suffered from lack of polish, although in other respects they displayed remarkable genius. In this class we may place orators such as Laelius, Africanus, Cato, and even the Gracchi, whom we may call the "Polygnoti" and "Callones" of oratory. |
3677 |
Tum deinde efflorescat non multum inter se distantium tempore oratorum ingens proventus . Hic vim Caesaris , indolem Caelii , subtilitatem Calidii , diligentiam Pollionis , dignitatem Messalae , sanctitatem Calvi , gravitatem Bruti , acumen Sulpicii , acerbitatem Cassii reperiemus ; in iis etiam , quos ipsi vidimus , copiam Senecae , vires Africani , maturitatem Afri , iucunditatem Crispi , sonum Trachali , elegantiam Secundi .
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Among orators of the intermediate type we may rank Lucius Crassus and Quintus Hortensius. Then let us turn to a vast harvest of orators who flourished much about the same period. It is here that we find the vigour of Caesar, the natural talent of Caelius, the subtlety of Calidius, the accuracy of Pollio, the dignity of Messala, the austerity of Calvus, the gravity of Brutus, the acumen of Sulpicius and the bitterness of Cassius, while among those whom we have seen ourselves we admire the fluency of Seneca, the strength of Africanus, the mellowness of Afer, the charm of Crispus, the sonority of Trachalus and the elegance of Secundus. |
3678 |
At M . Tullium non illum habemus Euphranorem circa plures artium species praestantem , sed in omnibus , quae in quoque laudantur , eminentissimum . Quem tamen et suorum homines temporum incessere audebant ut tumidiorem et Asianum et redundantem et in repetitionibus nimium et in salibus aliquando frigidum et in compositione fractum , exultantem ac paene , quod procul absit , viro molliorem ;
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But in Cicero we have one who is not, like Euphranor, merely distinguished in a number of different forms of art, but is supreme in all the different qualities which are praised in each individual orator. And yet even his own contemporaries ventured to attack him on the ground that he was bombastic, Asiatic, redundant, given to excessive repetition, liable at times to be pointless in his witticisms, sensuous, extravagant and (an outrageous accusation!) almost effeminate in his rhythm. |
3679 |
postea vero quam triumvirali proscriptione consumptus est , passim qui oderant , qui invidebant qui aemulabantur , adulatores etiam praesentis potentiae non responsurum inuaserunt . Ille tamen , qui ieiunus a quibusdam et aridus habetur , non aliter ab ipsis inimicis male audire quam nimiis floribus et ingenii affluentia potuit . Falsum utrumque , sed tamen ilia mentiendi propior occasio .
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And later, after he had fallen a victim to the proscription of the second triumvirate, those who hated and envied him and regarded him as their rival, nay, even those who had flattered him in the days of his power, attacked him now that he could no longer reply. But that very man, who is now regarded by some as being too jejune and dry, was attacked by his personal enemies on no other ground than that his style was too florid and his talents too little under control. Both charges are false, but there is more colour for the he in the latter case than in the former. |
3680 |
Praecipue vero presserunt eum , qui videri Atticorum imitatores concupierant . Haec manus quasi quibusdam sacris initiata ut alienigenam et parum superstitiosum devinctumque illis legibus insequebatur ; unde nunc quoque aridi et exsuci et exangues .
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Those, however, who criticised him most severely were the speakers who desired to be regarded as the imitators of Attic oratory. This coterie, regarding themselves as the sole initiates in the mysteries of their art, assailed him as an alien, indifferent to their superstitions and refusing to be bound by their laws. Their descendants are among us to-day, a withered, sapless and anemic band. |
3681 |
Hi sunt enim , qui suae imbecillitati sanitatis appellationem , quae est maxime contraria , obtendant ; qui , quia clariorem vim eloquentiae velut solem ferre non possunt , umbra magni nominis delitescunt . Quibus quia multa et pluribus locis Cicero ipse respondit , tutior mihi de hoc disserendi brevitas erit .
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For it is they that flaunt their weakness under the name of health, in defiance of the actual truth, and because they cannot endure the dazzling rays of the sun of eloquence, hide themselves beneath the shadow of a mighty name. However, as Cicero himself answered them at length and in a number of passages, it will be safer for me to be brief in my treatment of this topic. |
3682 |
Et antiqua quidem illa divisio inter Atticos atque Asianos fuit , cum hi pressi et integri , contra inflati illi et inanes haberentur , in his nihil superflueret , illis iudicium maxime ac modus deesset . Quod quidam , quorum et Santra est , hoc putant accidisse , quod , paulatim sermone Graeco in proximas Asiae civitates influente , nondum satis periti loquendi facundiam concupierint , ideoque ea , quae proprie signari poterant , circuitu coeperint enuntiare ac deinde in eo perseverarint .
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The distinction between the Attic and the Asiatic schools takes us back to antiquity. The former were regarded as concise and healthy, the latter as empty and inflated: the former were remarkable for the absence of all superfluity, while the latter were deficient alike in taste and restraint. The reason for this division, according to some authorities, among them Santra, is to be found in the fact that, as Greek gradually extended its range into the neighbouring cities of Asia, there arose a class of men who desired to distinguish themselves as orators before they had acquired sufficient command of the language, and who consequently began to express by periphrases what could have been expressed directly, until finally this practice became an ingrained habit. |
3683 |
Mihi autem orationis differentiam fecisse et dicentium et audientium naturae videntur , quod Attici limati quidam et emuncti nihil inane aut redundans ferebant , Asiana gens tumidior alioqui atque iactantior vaniore etiam dicendi gloria inflate est .
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My own view, however, is that the difference between the two styles is attributable to the character both of the orators and the audiences whom they addressed: the Athenians, with their polish and refinement, refused to tolerate emptiness and redundance, while the Asiatics, being naturally given to bombast and ostentation, were puffed up with a passion for a more vainglorious style of eloquence. |
3684 |
Tertium mox , qui haec dividebant , adiecerunt genus Rhodium , quod velut medium esse atque ex utroque mixtum volunt ; neque enim Attice pressi neque Asiane sunt abundantes , ut aliquid habere videantur gentis , aliquid auctoris .
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At a later period, the critics, to whom we owe this classification, added a third style, the Rhodian, which they asserted to he midway between the two and to be a blend of both, since the orators of this school are neither so concise as the Attic nor redundant like the Asiatic school, but appear to derive their style in part from their national characteristics, in part from those of their founder. |
3685 |
Aeschines enim , qui hunc exilio delegerat locum , intulit eo studia Athenarum , quae , velut sata quaedam caelo terraque degenerant , saporem illum Atticum peregrino miscuerunt . Lenti ergo quidam ac remissi , non sine pondere tamen neque fontibus puris neque torrentibus turbidis , sed lenibus stagnis similes habentur .
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For it was Aeschines who introduced the culture of Athens at Rhodes, which he had chosen as his place of exile: and just as certain plants degenerate as a result of change of soil and climate, so the fine Attic flavour was marred by the admixture of foreign ingredients. Consequently certain of the orators of this school are regarded as somewhat slow and lacking in energy, though not devoid of a certain weight, and as resembling placid pools rather than the limpid springs of Athens or the turbid torrents of Asia. |
3686 |
Nemo igitur dubitaverit , longe esse optimum genus Atticorum . In quo ut est aliquid inter ipsos commune , id est indicium acre tersumque , ita ingeniorum plurimae formae .
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No one therefore should have any hesitation in pronouncing Attic oratory to be by far the best. But although all Attic writers have something in comion, namely a keen and exact judgement, their talents manitest themselves in a number of different forms. |