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.
We fear that the glittering generalities of the speaker have left
an impression more delightful than permanent.
read more
We fear that the glittering generalities of the speaker have left
an impression more delightful than permanent.
- Franklin J. Dickman,
It makes a great difference whether Davus or a hero speaks.
[Lat., Intererit multum Davusne loquatur an heros.]
It makes a great difference whether Davus or a hero speaks.
[Lat., Intererit multum Davusne loquatur an heros.]
When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he
answered, "Action," and which was the second, read more
When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he
answered, "Action," and which was the second, he replied,
"action," and which was the third, he still answered "Action."
If you did wed my sister for her wealth,
Then for her wealth's sake use her with more kindness:
read more
If you did wed my sister for her wealth,
Then for her wealth's sake use her with more kindness:
Or if you like elsewhere, do it by stealth;
Muffle your false love with some show of blindness:
Let not my sister read it in your eye;
Be not thy tongue thy own shame's orator;
Look sweet, spear fair, become disloyalty;
Apparel vice like virtue's harbinger;
Bear a fair presence, though your heart be tainted;
Teach sin the carriage of a holy saint;
Be secret-false: what need she be acquainted?
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.
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.]
The capital of the orator is in the bank of the highest
sentimentalities and the purest enthusiasms.
The capital of the orator is in the bank of the highest
sentimentalities and the purest enthusiasms.
Its Constitution--the glittering and sounding generalities of
natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence.
Its Constitution--the glittering and sounding generalities of
natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence.
