Fridays are for Rhetoric!
8/3/18
Quintilian, and J.S. Watson. Institutes of Oratory. Edited by Lee Honeycutt, 2010. Kindle Electronic Edition. Book 12 Chapter 1.
As he introduceds book 12, Quintilian observes that he has found his project daunting. In addition to the skills of an orator, Quintilian seeks to describe the character of an orator (Quintilian XII.introduction.3). This has already been done b Marcus Cato, who says an orator is “a good man skilled in speaking” (Quintilian XII.1.1). Rhetoric, properly, is used for good, not for harm. The orator must be of a noble and sound mind (Quintilian XII.1.4). The calm and temperate spirit of the orator is not to be disturbed by greed or anxiety (Quintilian XII.1.7). A good man is better able to demonstrate what is true and just (Quintilian XII.1.11). The good man’s credibility will assist him. Quintilian grants and even establishes with examples the weakness of various orators. However, he retains the value of integrity (Quintilian XII.1.24). The prime objective, then, in training a young orator, is to instill good character (Quintilian XII.1.31). This does not mean that the good orator is unfamiliar with vice and evil. It does mean that he will strive to be on the side of good (Quintilian XII.1.35).
8/3/18
Quintilian, and J.S. Watson. Institutes of Oratory. Edited by Lee Honeycutt, 2010. Kindle Electronic Edition. Book 12 Chapter 1.
As he introduceds book 12, Quintilian observes that he has found his project daunting. In addition to the skills of an orator, Quintilian seeks to describe the character of an orator (Quintilian XII.introduction.3). This has already been done b Marcus Cato, who says an orator is “a good man skilled in speaking” (Quintilian XII.1.1). Rhetoric, properly, is used for good, not for harm. The orator must be of a noble and sound mind (Quintilian XII.1.4). The calm and temperate spirit of the orator is not to be disturbed by greed or anxiety (Quintilian XII.1.7). A good man is better able to demonstrate what is true and just (Quintilian XII.1.11). The good man’s credibility will assist him. Quintilian grants and even establishes with examples the weakness of various orators. However, he retains the value of integrity (Quintilian XII.1.24). The prime objective, then, in training a young orator, is to instill good character (Quintilian XII.1.31). This does not mean that the good orator is unfamiliar with vice and evil. It does mean that he will strive to be on the side of good (Quintilian XII.1.35).
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