QUINTILIAN PRAISES THE ORATORY OF CICERO

The Roman orator's speaking ability is able to make Latin like Greek.; for Cicero can match anyone, even Demosthenes. Of these I reckon are similar to manliness: his council, order of ideas, reason, and finally his discoveries which are everywhere. In his eloquence there is some diversity: that thick, this rich, that he always fights with cunning, this weight, more anxiety in that I, in nature more than this. Marcus Tulius however sees to express Demosthenes in me, supplied by Plato, the pleasure of Isocrates. But now what he teaches more carefully, he moves more emphatically with power? In which so much of his charm is able to move even every serious judgment? Now in every which he says he has so much authority when within he shamefully disagrees and trust is not an advocate but the eye-witness sees that he holds it. Therefore do not unjustly reign in a law court in an age of man when Cicero is speaking, and posterity only is given now to Cicero that his glorious name is not human, but has eloquence. Therefore look at this; he is an example of peace and prosperity; that he himself makes progress of knowledge, who is told to be diligent by Cicero.