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Index to Book 12

Introduction

Importance of the remaining portion of the work. Quintilian goes farther than Cicero in forming the Orator.

A great orator must be a good man, according to Cato's definition, § 1, 2. A bad man cannot be a consummate orator, as he is deficient in wisdom, 3-5. The mind of a bad man is too much distracted with cares and remorse, 6, 7. A bad man will not speak with the same authority and effect on virtue and morality as a good man, 8-13. Objections to this opinion answered, 14-22. A bad man may doubtless speak with great force, but he would make nearer approaches to perfect eloquence if he were good man, 23-32. Yet we must be able to conceive arguments on either side of a question, 33-35. A good man may sometimes be justified in misleading those whom he addresses, for the attainment of some good object, 36-45.

An orator must study to maintain a high moral character, § 1, 2. Tendencies to virtue implanted by nature may be strengthened by cultivation, 3-9. Division of philosophy into three parts, natural, moral, and dialectic; remarks on the last kind, 10-14. On moral philosophy, 15-20. On natural philosophy, 21-23. Observations on the different sects of philosophers; an orator need not attach himself to any sect in particular, but may be content with learning what is good wherever it is to be found, 24-31.

Proofs that a knowledge of the civil law is necessary to an orator.

The mind of an orator must be stored with examples and precedents.

Necessity of firmness and presence of mind to an orator, § 1-4. Natural advantages to be cultivated, 5, 6.

At what age an orator should begin to plead in public.

What sort of causes an orator should chiefly undertake, § 1-7. What remuneration he may reasonably receive for his services, 8-12.

The orator must study a cause well before he ventures to plead it; he must examine all documents connected with it, and thoroughly weigh the statements of his client.

Applause not to be too eagerly sought, § 1-7. Invectives to be but sparingly introduced into a speech, 8-13. How far an orator should prepare himself by writing his speech; he must qualify himself to reply extempore to objections that may be suddenly started, 14-21.

Of different styles of oratory; comparison of the varieties in eloquence with those in painting and sculpture, § 1-9. Characters of several Latin orators, 10, 11. Merits of Cicero, 12-15. Styles of the Attic, Asiatic, and Rhodian orators, 16-19. Remarks on the true merits of Attic eloquence, and on those who injudiciously affected it, 20-26. The Romans were excelled by the Greeks only in delivery; cause of the inferiority of the Romans in this respect, 27-34. The Romans exhorted to cultivate force of thought and brilliancy of language, 35-39. Folly of those who would reject all ornament, 40-48. Whether a difference should be made in the styles of speaking and writing, 49-57. Of the simple, grand, and florid styles, 58-68. Many varieties and mixtures of these styles, 69-72. Of corrupt taste in eloquence, 73-76. A good style may be acquired by study and practice; but we must carry no fancied excellence to excess, 77-80.

The orator must leave off speaking in public before he fails through old age, § 1-4. How his time may be employed after he has retired, 5-7. Quintilian hastens to conclude his work; he shows that students have ample time for acquiring all the qualifications, as far as nature will allow, that he has specified, 8-20. He proves, from the examples of great men, how much may be done, and observes that even moderate attainments in eloquence are attended with very great advantages, 21-29. Exhortation to diligence, and conclusion, 30, 31.