§4.4.1sunt qui narrationi propositionem subiungant tanquam partem iudicialis materiae, cui opinioni respondimus.
There are those who join the proposition to the narration as if it were a part of the judicial matter, to which opinion I have replied.
mihi autem propositio videtur omnis confirmationis initium, quod non modo in ostendenda quaestione principali, sed nonnunquam etiam in singulis argumentis poni solet maximeque in iis quae ἐπιχειρήματα vocantur.
But to me, the proposition seems to be the beginning of every proof, which is accustomed to be placed not only in showing the principal question, but sometimes also in individual arguments, and especially in those which are called epicheiremata.
sed nunc de priore loquimur.
But now we are speaking of the former.
ea non semper uti necesse est.
It is not always necessary to use it.
§4.4.2aliquando enim sine propositione quoque satis manifestum est quid in quaestione versetur, utique si narratio ibi finem habet, ubi initium quaestio, adeo, ut aliquando subiungatur expositioni, quae solet in argumentis esse summa collectio: haec, sicut exposui, ita gesta sunt, iudices; insidiator superatus est, vi victa vis vel potius oppressa vir tute audacia est. §4.4.3nonnunquam vero valde est utilis, ubi res defendi non potest et de fine quaeritur, ut pro eo, qui pecuniam privatam de templo sustulit, sacrilegii agitur, de sacrilegio cognoscitis, ut iudex intelligat id unum esse officii sui, quaerere an id quod obiicitur sacrilegium sit.
For sometimes even without a proposition it is sufficiently clear what is at issue in the question, especially if the narration has its end where the question has its beginning, so much so that sometimes it is joined to the exposition, which is accustomed to be the chief summary in arguments: "These things, judges, were done just as I have set forth; the waylayer was overcome, force was conquered by force, or rather audacity was oppressed by virtue." But sometimes indeed it is very useful, where the deed cannot be defended and the question is about the definition, as for one who carried off private money from a temple, a trial for sacrilege is conducted: "You are taking cognizance of sacrilege," so that the judge may understand that this one thing is of his duty, to inquire whether that which is charged is sacrilege.
§4.4.4item in causis obscuris aut multiplicibus, nec semper propter hoc solum ut sit causa lucidior, sed aliquando etiam ut magis moveat.
Likewise in obscure or manifold causes, and not always for this reason alone that the cause may be clearer, but sometimes also that it may move more.
movet autem, si protinus subtexantur aliqua, quae prosint.
But it moves if some things that are of advantage are immediately subjoined.
lex aperte scripta est ut peregrinus qui murum ascenderit morte multetur; peregrinum te esse cerium est; quin ascenderis murum, non quaeritur; quid superest, nisi ut te puniri oporteat? haec enim propositio confessionem adversarii premit et quodammodo iudicandi moram tollit, nec indicat quaestionem sed adiuvat.
"The law is openly written, that a foreigner who climbs the wall shall be punished with death; it is certain that you are a foreigner; that you climbed the wall is not questioned; what remains, except that you ought to be punished?" For this proposition presses the confession of the adversary and in a way removes delay in judging, and does not merely point out the question but helps it.
§4.4.5sunt autem propositiones et simplices et duplices vel multiplices, quod accidit non uno modo.
Moreover, propositions are both simple and double or manifold, which happens in more than one way.
nam et plura crimina iunguntur, ut cum Socrates accusatus est, quod corrumperet iuventutem et novas superstitiones introduceret; et singula ex pluribus colliguntur, ut cum legatio male gesta obiicitur Aeschini, quod mentitus sit, quod nihil ex mandatis fecerit, quod moratus sit, quod munera acceperit.
For both several charges are joined, as when Socrates was accused because he corrupted the youth and introduced new superstitions; and individual charges are collected from several details, as when misconduct in an embassy is charged against Aeschines, because he lied, because he did nothing according to instructions, because he delayed, because he accepted bribes.
§4.4.6recusatio quoque plures interim propositiones habet, ut contra petitionem pecuniae: male petis, procuratorem enim tibi esse non licuit, sed neque illi, cuius nomine litigas, habere procuratorem; sed neque est heres eius, a quo accepisse mutuam dicor nec ipsi debui. §4.4.7multiplicari haec in quantum libet possunt, sed rem ostendisse satis est.
An objection also sometimes has several propositions, as against a claim for money: "You claim improperly, for it was not permitted for you to be a procurator, nor indeed for him in whose name you litigate to have a procurator; nor indeed is he the heir of him from whom I am said to have received the loan, nor did I owe to him himself." These can be multiplied as much as you please, but it is enough to have shown the matter.
hae si ponantur singulae subiectis probationibus, plures sunt propositiones; si coniungantur, in partitionem cadunt.
If these are placed individually with proofs subjoined, they are several propositions; if they are joined together, they fall into partition.
§4.4.8est et nuda propositio, qualis fere in coniecturalibus, caedis ago, furtum obiicio; est ratione subiecta, ut maiestatem minuit C. Cornelius; nam codicem tribunus plebis ipse pro contione legit.
There is also a bare proposition, such as is common in conjectural cases: "I prosecute for murder," "I charge theft"; there is one with a reason subjoined, as: "C.
praeter haec utimur propositione aut nostra, ut adulterium obiicio; aut adversarii, ut adulterii mecum agitur, aut communi, ut inter me et adversarium quaestio est, uter sit intestato propior Nonnumquam diversas quoque iungimus: ego hoc dico, adversarius hoc. §4.4.9habet interim vim propositionis, etiamsi per se non est propositio, eum exposito rerum ordine subiicimus: de his cognoscetis, ut sit haec commonitio iudicis, quo se ad quaestionem acrius intendat et velut quodam tactu resuscitatus fine esse narrationis et initium probationis intelligat, et nobis confirmationem ingredientibus ipse quoque quodammodo novum audiendi sumat exordium.
Cornelius diminished majesty; for the tribune of the plebs himself read the bill before the assembly." Besides these, we use a proposition either our own, as: "I charge adultery"; or the adversary's, as: "I am prosecuted for adultery"; or a common one, as: "The question between me and the adversary is, which of us is nearer to the intestate." Sometimes we also join contrasting ones: "I say this, the adversary says that." Sometimes, even if it is not a proposition in itself, it has the force of a proposition when, having set forth the order of things, we subjoin: "Concerning these you shall take cognizance," so that this may be a warning to the judge, whereby he may direct himself more sharply to the question, and, as if awakened by a certain touch, may understand that it is the end of the narration and the beginning of the proof, and as we enter upon the confirmation, he himself also may in a way take a new beginning of hearing.