§12.9.1quae sint in agendo servanda, toto fere opere exsecuti sumus; pauca tamen propria huius loci, quae non tam dicendi arte quam officiis agentis continentur, attingam.
What things are to be observed in pleading, we have discussed in almost the whole work; yet I will touch upon a few things peculiar to this place, which are contained not so much in the art of speaking as in the duties of the practitioner.
ante omnia ne, quod plerisque accidit, ab utilitate eum causae praesentis cupido laudis abducat.
Above all, let not the desire for praise, which happens to most people, draw him away from the utility of the present cause.
§12.9.2nam ut gerentibus bella non semper exercitus per plana et amoena ducendus est, sed adeundi plerumque asperi colles, expugnandae civitates quamlibet praecisis impositae rupibus aut operum mole difficiles, ita oratio gaudebit quidem occasione laetius decurrendi et aequo congressa campo totas vires populariter explicabit; §12.9.3at si iuris anfractus aut eruendae veritatis latebras adire cogetur, non obequitabit nec illis vibrantibus concitatisque sententiis velut missilibus utetur, sed operibus et cuniculis et insidiis et occultis artibus rem geret.
For just as for those conducting wars, the army must not always be led through flat and pleasant paths, but for the most part steep hills must be approached, and cities must be stormed, however much they are situated on sheer cliffs or made difficult by the mass of defensive works, so also oratory will indeed rejoice in the opportunity of running down more cheerfully, and having engaged in an open field, it will unfold its whole strength in a popular manner; but if it is compelled to enter the windings of the law or the hiding places of truth that is to be dug out, it will not ride about, nor will it use those vibrating and excited sententiae as if they were missiles, but it will carry on the business with earthworks, mines, ambushes, and secret arts.
§12.9.4quae omnia non dum fiunt laudantur, sed cum facta sunt; unde etiam cupidissimis opinionis plus fructus venit.
All of which are praised not while they are being done, but when they have been done; whence even for those most desirous of reputation, more fruit comes.
nam cum illa dicendi vitiosa iactatio inter plausores suos detonuit, resurgit verae virtutis fortior fama, nec iudices a quo sint moti, dissimulant, et doctis creditur, nec est orationis vera laus nisi cum finita est.
For when that faulty boasting of speaking has finished thundering among its applauders, the stronger fame of true virtue rises again, nor do the judges conceal by whom they have been moved, and credit is given to the learned, nor is there true praise of oratory except when it has finished.
§12.9.5veteribus quidem etiam dissimulare eloquentiam fuit moris, idque M. Antonius praecipit, quo plus dicentibus fidei minusque suspectae advocatorum insidiae forent.
Indeed, among the ancients, it was also the custom to conceal eloquence, and this M. Antonius directs, so that there might be more trust in the speakers and the designs of the advocates might be less suspected.
sed illa dissimulari, quae tum erat, potuit; nondum enim tantum dicendi lumen accesserat, ut etiam per obstantia erumperet.
But that eloquence which then existed could be concealed; for not yet had so great a light of speaking been added that it would burst out even through obstacles.
quare artes quidem et consilia lateant et quidquid, si deprehenditur, perit.
Wherefore let arts indeed and counsels lie hidden, and whatever, if it is detected, perishes.
hactenus eloquentia secretum habet.
To this extent oratory has its secret.
§12.9.6verborum quidem delectus, gravitas sententiarum, figurarum elegantia aut non sunt aut apparent.
Indeed, the choice of words, the weight of thoughts, and the elegance of figures either do not exist or are apparent.
sed vel propter hoc ipsum ostendenda non sunt quod apparent; aut si unum sit ex duobus eligendum, causa potius laudetur quam patronus.
But even on account of this very fact they must not be shown, because they are apparent; or if one of the two must be chosen, let the cause be praised rather than the advocate.
finem tamen hunc praestabit orator, ut videatur optimam causam optime egisse.
Yet the orator will guarantee this end: that he may seem to have pleaded the best cause in the best manner.
illud certum erit neminem peius agere quam qui displicente causa placet; necesse est enim extra causam sit quod placet.
This will be certain, that no one pleads a case worse than he who pleases while the cause displeases; for it is necessary that what pleases be outside the cause.
§12.9.7nec illo fastidio laborabit orator non agendi causas minores, tanquam infra eum sint aut detractura sit opinioni minus liberalis materia.
Nor will the orator suffer from that fastidiousness of not pleading minor causes, as if they were beneath him or as if less liberal material would detract from his reputation.
nam et suscipiendi ratio iustissima est officium, et optandum etiam ut amici quam minimas lites habeant; et abunde dixit bene, quisquis rei satisfecit.
For both the most just reason for undertaking them is duty, and it is also to be wished that friends have as small lawsuits as possible; and whoever has satisfied the matter has spoken abundantly well.
§12.9.8at quidam, etiamsi forte susceperunt negotia paulo ad dicendum tenuiora, extrinsecus adductis ea rebus circumlinunt ac, si defecerint alia, conviciis implent vacua causarum, si contingit, veris, si minus, fictis, modo sit materia ingenii mereaturque clamorem dum dicitur.
But certain people, even if by chance they have undertaken business a little too thin for speaking, smear it over with things brought in from the outside, and, if other things fail, they fill the empty spaces of the causes with abuses, with true ones if it happens, and if not, with false ones, provided only that there is material for talent and that it deserves a shout while it is being spoken.
quod ego adeo longe puto ab oratore perfecto, ut eum ne vera quidem obiecturum, nisi id causa exigit, credam.
This I think to be so far from a perfect orator, that I believe he will not object even to true things unless the cause demands it.
§12.9.9ea est enim prorsus canina, ut ait Appius, eloquentia, cognituram male dicendi subire; quod facientibus etiam male audiendi praesumenda patientia est.
For that is indeed an entirely canine eloquence, as Appius says, to undergo the agency of speaking ill; for those who do this, the patience of being spoken ill of must also be anticipated.
nam et in ipsos fit impetus frequenter, qui egerunt, et certe petulantiam patron litigator luit.
For an attack is frequently made even upon those who have pleaded, and certainly the litigant pays for the petulance of the advocate.
sed haec minora sunt ipso illo vitio animi, quod maledicus a malefico non distat nisi occasione.
But these things are smaller than that very vice of the mind itself, that a speaker of ill does not differ from a doer of ill except in opportunity.
§12.9.10turpis voluptas et inhumana et nulli audientium bona gratia a litigatoribus quidem frequenter exigitur, qui ultionem malunt quam defensionem.
A shameful and inhuman pleasure, and one of no good favor to any of the hearers, is indeed frequently demanded by litigants, who prefer revenge to defense.
sed neque alia multa ad arbitrium eorum facienda sunt.
But neither are many other things to be done at their pleasure.
hoc quidem quis hominum liberi modo sanguinis sustineat petulans esse ad alterius arbitrium?
Indeed, who of men of even only free blood would endure to be petulant at another's pleasure?