The Rhetorica of Philodemus. 307 



knowledge of rhetoric, but that many would not. If they did 

 not abandon the deceit involved in practical rhetoric they 

 would not be able to acquire such rhetorical ability as even 

 philosophy provides. . . . Sophistic style is suited to epideictic 

 oratory and written works, but not to actual practice in forum 

 and ecclesia. 



More men are acquitted because of the lack of rhetoric than n, 136, fr. 

 by means of it; nay even stammering is more persuasive than ^^• 

 any other form of speech. For it is well said that the juryman 

 is not affected by any form of speech as much as by the just and 

 prudent actions of the uneducated, and in trials they fear being 

 misled by the rhetor. In speaking one should not resort to 

 ignoble rhetorical tricks ; these have less effect than a straight- 

 forward character. . . . 



Speeches of this sort are no disgrace, if the object of forensic II, 137, fr. 

 oratory be to set forth the facts, and not to show one's power. ^ • 

 It is certainly not true that rhetoric is a weapon to be used 

 against sycophants. . . . 



Suppose one to have an abundance of delicate food and drink, II, 138, fr. 



IX 

 but to be suiTering great physical or mental torment, could one 



enjoy them? The implied comparison is: one cannot enjoy the power 

 and weahh which are the prizes of rhetoric, if one has to endure its 

 toils. It is this thought, apparently which is worked out in fr. X. 



If they spend all their time about the courts, and start many jj j-g f^ 

 lawsuits because of their knowledge of that sort of life, when XI. 

 they are brought to trial themselves they are ruined (because of 

 the prejudice against professional speakers) ; if they make a 

 sparing use of their professional knowledge in order to appear 

 modest, they lose some of their power, and at the same time 

 forfeit that peace of life and solidity of character which 

 contribute most to success. 



Every good and honest man who confines his interest to phi- n^ j^q^ f^. 

 losophy alone, and disregards the nonsense of lawyers, can ^11- 

 face boldly all such troubles, yea all powers and the whole world. 



We do not claim that rhetoric is bad in itself, even if it fur- n^ 142, fr. 

 nishes weapons for wicked men, but it does not indicate what XIII. 

 use is to be made of the power it gives, so as to fit in with our 



^ Cf. Arist. Rhet. Ill, 1,5; I, 7, 36-37. 



