Besides, as is usually the case, we are much more affected by the
words which we hear, for though what you read in books may be
more pointed, yet there is something in the voice, the look, the
carriage, and even the gesture of the speaker, that makes a
deeper impression upon the mind.
[Lat., Praeterea multo magis, ut vulgo dicitur viva vox afficit:
nam licet acriora sint, quae legas, ultius tamen in ammo sedent,
quae pronuntiatio, vultus, habitus, gestus dicentis adfigit.]
You May Also Like / View all maxioms
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.
I am no orator, as Brutus is,
But read more
I come not, friends, to steal away your hearts.
I am no orator, as Brutus is,
But (as you know me all) a plain blunt man
That love my friend; and that they know full well
That gave me public leave to speak of him.
With little art, clear wit and sense
Suggest their own delivery.
[Ger., Es tragt Verstand und rechter read more
With little art, clear wit and sense
Suggest their own delivery.
[Ger., Es tragt Verstand und rechter Sinn,
Mit wenig Kunst sich selber vor.]
Solon wished everybody to be ready to take everybody else's part;
but surely Chilo was wiser in holding that read more
Solon wished everybody to be ready to take everybody else's part;
but surely Chilo was wiser in holding that public affairs go best
when the laws have much attention and the orators none.
Fire in each eye, and papers in each hand,
They rave, recite, and madden round the land.
Fire in each eye, and papers in each hand,
They rave, recite, and madden round the land.
You'd scarce expect one of my age
To speak in public on the stage;
And if I read more
You'd scarce expect one of my age
To speak in public on the stage;
And if I chance to fall below
Demosthenes or Cicero,
Don't view me with a critic's eye,
But pass my imperfections by.
Large streams from little fountains flow,
Tall oaks from little acorns grow.
The object of oratory alone is not truth, but persuasion.
The object of oratory alone is not truth, but persuasion.
Glittering generalities! They are blazing ubiquities.
Glittering generalities! They are blazing ubiquities.
Whatever we conceive well we express clearly, and words flow with
ease.
[Fr., Ce que l'on concoit bien read more
Whatever we conceive well we express clearly, and words flow with
ease.
[Fr., Ce que l'on concoit bien s'enonce clairement,
Et les mots pour le dire arrivent aisement.]
Very good orators, when they are out, they will spit; and for
lovers, lacking--God warn us!--matter, the cleanliest shift read more
Very good orators, when they are out, they will spit; and for
lovers, lacking--God warn us!--matter, the cleanliest shift is to
kiss.
