TJic Rhctorlca of Philodemus. 355 



acquired the rhetorical faculty, but have not studied at all with 

 the sophists, nor have acquired a technical knowledge through 

 practical study with a rhetor, still speak powerfully in public, 

 and to use the term in its common meaning are artists and pos- 

 sess technical ability [whereas many from the schools can not 

 speak successfully]. . . . Many of those trained in sophistic 

 after the fashion of Isocrates have no political capacity or expe- 

 rience, and are unable to speak in public. If they ever attempt 

 it the audience die a-laughing ; since this is true, as geometry 

 and grammar have no need of rhetoric, and it cannot produce 

 these sciences, so the art of politics is not the property of the 

 rhetorical sophist, and they do not produce statesmen. 



Some one will say, "If because some are able without study 

 of rhetoric to speak ably, we separate statesmanship from rhetoric 

 on the ground that it is not peculiar to rhetoric, take away too 

 the panegyric style of rhetoric which the rhetoricians practice 

 both in writing and in the spoken word. . . . For many could 

 imitate this, though they have not studied with the sophists, but 

 merely because they are talented ; and without having the tech- 

 nical treatises composed in the schools, would imitate the work 

 of some sophist." 



"Charm really helps in public speaking. Some who have il, 252, col. 



acquired a rhythmical stvle from these schools have become XLVIII, 



. ' . . . 1. 23. 



considerably more pleasing in public assemblies." 



The same is probably true of studies in poetry and philosophy. II, 253, col. 

 Some would certainly be harmed by rhetoric ; certainly many XLIX. 

 sacrifice their natural gifts and character, and what they learn 

 in the schools is not persuasive or successful with their audience. 



Such is our discussion of the subjects mentioned. If anyone 

 reproaches us with poverty, we shall be content with what we 

 have, and shall not take up rhetoric to make money. 



But when they say, as Anaximenes does, that people would n, 254, IIP 



not pav the rhetoricians for instruction unless thev acquired col. XLIX, 



' . 22 ^ IV' 



completely the power to speak in public they speak stupidly. For col. II, i. 



by this line of reasoning one could prove that soothsaying 



and . . . are arts, and have greater right to be called arts 



than philosophy because the professors of these arts receive 



larger pay than the philosopher. It is senseless to compare 



faculties in this way, nor does the fact that some pay money to 



