§12.5.1haec sunt, quae me redditurum promiseram, instrumenta non artis, ut quidam putaverunt, sed ipsius oratoris.
These are the instruments, which I had promised to deliver, not of the art, as some have thought, but of the orator himself.
haec arma habere ad manum, horum scientia debet esse succinctus, accedente verborum figurarumque facili copia et inventionis ratione et disponendi usu et memoriae firmitate et actionis gratia.
These weapons he must have at hand, and with the knowledge of these he must be equipped, while there is added a ready wealth of words and figures, a system of invention, practice in arrangement, firmness of memory, and grace of delivery.
sed plurimum ex his valet animi praestantia, quam nec metus frangat nec adclamatio terreat nec audientium auctoritas ultra debitam reverentiam tardet.
But among these, the excellence of mind is of the greatest power, which neither fear should break, nor clamor terrify, nor the authority of the audience delay beyond due reverence.
§12.5.2nam ut abominanda sunt contraria his vitia confidentiae, temeritatis, improbitatis, arrogantiae, ita citra constantiam, fiduciam, fortitudinem nihil ars, nihil studium, nihil profectus ipse profuerit, ut si des arma timidis et imbellibus.
For just as the opposite vices of overconfidence, rashness, shamelessness, and arrogance are to be detested, so without constancy, confidence, and courage, neither art, nor study, nor progress itself will be of any avail, just as if you were to give weapons to the fearful and unwarlike.
invitus mehercule dico, quoniam et aliter accipi potest, ipsam verecundiam, vitium quidem, sed amabile et quae virtutes facillime generet, esse interim adversam, multisque in causa fuisse, ut bona ingenii studiique in lucem non prolata situ quodam secreti consumerentur.
By Hercules, I speak unwillingly, since it can also be understood otherwise, that shyness itself, a vice indeed, but an amiable one and one which very easily generates virtues, is at times adverse, and has been the cause for many that the good products of talent and study, not brought into the light, were consumed by a certain decay of seclusion.
§12.5.3sciat autem, si quis haec forte minus adhuc peritus distinguendi vim cuiusque verbi leget, non probitatem a me reprehendi, sed verecundiam, quae est timor quidam reducens animum ab iis quae facienda sunt; inde confusio et coepti paenitentia et subitum silentium.
But let him know, if anyone by chance less skilled as yet in distinguishing the force of each word shall read this, that it is not integrity that is censured by me, but shyness, which is a certain fear drawing back the mind from those things which are to be done; thence arise confusion, regret for what has been begun, and sudden silence.
quis porro dubitet vitiis adscribere adfectum, propter quem facere honeste pudet?
Who, moreover, would doubt to ascribe to vices an affection on account of which one is ashamed to act honorably?
§12.5.4neque ego rursus nolo eum, qui sit dicturus, et sollicitum surgere et colore mutari et periculum intelligere; quae si non accident, etiam simulanda erunt.
Nor, on the other hand, do I wish that he who is about to speak should not rise anxious, change color, and perceive the danger; which things, if they do not happen, will even have to be feigned.
sed intellectus hic sit operis, non metus, moveamurque, non concidamus.
But let this be an understanding of the task, not fear, and let us be moved, not collapse.
optima est autem emendatio verecundiae fiducia, et quamlibet imbecilla frons magna conscientia sustinetur.
But the best correction of shyness is confidence, and however weak a front is sustained by a great conscience.
§12.5.5sunt et naturalia, ut supra dixi, quae tamen et cura iuvantur, instrumenta, vox, latus, decor; quae quidem tantum valent, ut frequenter famam ingenii faciant.
There are also natural instruments, as I said above, which are nevertheless aided also by care: voice, lung power, and grace; which indeed are so powerful that they frequently make a reputation for talent.
habuit oratores aetas nostra copiosiores, sed, cum diceret, eminere inter aequales Trachalus videbatur.
Our age has had more abundant orators, but, when he spoke, Trachalus seemed to stand out among his equals.
ea corporis sublimitas erat, is ardor oculorum, frontis auctoritas, gestus praestantia, vox quidem non, ut Cicero desiderat, paene tragoedorum, sed super omnes, quos ego quidem audierim, tragoedos.
Such was the loftiness of his body, such the fire of his eyes, the authority of his brow, the excellence of his gesture, and a voice indeed not, as Cicero desires, almost that of tragic actors, but above all tragic actors whom I at least have heard.
§12.5.6certe cum in basilica Iulia diceret primo tribunal, quattuor autem iudicia, ut moris est, cogerentur, atque omnia clamoribus fremerent, et auditum eum et intellectum et, quod agentibus ceteris contumeliosissimum fuit, laudatum quoque ex quattuor tribunalibus memini.
Certainly, I remember that when he was speaking in the Basilica Julia at the first tribunal, and four courts, as is the custom, were being assembled, and everything was roaring with clamor, he was both heard and understood and, what was most insulting to the other pleaders, also praised from all four tribunals.
sed hoc votum est et rara felicitas; quae si non adsit, sane sufficiat ab iis, quibus quis dicit, audiri.
But this is a wish and a rare good fortune; if this is not present, let it indeed suffice to be heard by those to whom one speaks.
talis esse debet orator, haec scire.
Such the orator ought to be, and these things he must know.