§5.13.50at in scholis recte et propositionibus et contradictionibus occurremus, ut in utrumque locum, id est primum et secundum, simul plurimum exerceamur.
But in the schools we shall rightly meet both propositions and contradictions, so that we may be trained most at the same time in both places, that is, the first and the second.
quod nisi fecerimus, nunquam utemur contradictione; non enim erit, cui respondeamus.
Unless we do this, we shall never use a contradiction; for there will be no one to whom we may reply.
§5.13.51est et illud vitium nimium sollicite et circa omnia momenta luctantis; suspectam enim facit iudici causam, et frequenter, quae statim dicta omnem dubitationem sustulissent, dilata ipsis praeparationibus fidem perdunt, quia patronus et aliis crediderit opus fuisse.
There is also that fault of one who struggles too anxiously and about every single point; for it makes the cause suspected by the judge, and frequently, things which, if spoken immediately, would have removed all doubt, when deferred, lose credit by the very preparations, because the advocate is thought to have believed that there was need of other things as well.
fiduciam igitur orator prae se ferat semperque ita dicat, tanquam de causa optime sentiat; §5.13.52quod sicut omnia in Cicerone praecipuum est.
Therefore the orator should display confidence and always speak in such a way as if he had the highest opinion of his cause; which quality, like everything else, is preeminent in Cicero.
nam illa summa cura securitatis est similis, tantaque in oratione auctoritas, ut probationis locum obtineat dubitare nobis non audentibus.
For that supreme care of his is similar to unconcern, and there is such great authority in his speech that it obtains the place of proof, while we do not dare to doubt.
porro, qui scierit, quid pars adversa, quid nostra habeat valentissimum, facile iudicabit, quibus maxime rebus vel occurrendum sit vel instandum.
Furthermore, he who knows what the adverse party and what our own has that is strongest will easily judge, by what things especially he must either counteract or press on.
§5.13.53ordo quidem in parte nulla minus adfert laboris.
Order indeed in no part brings less labor.
nam si agimus, nostra confirmanda sunt primum, tum, quae nostris opponuntur refutanda; si respondemus, §5.13.54prius incipiendum est a refutatione.
For if we are prosecuting, our own points must be confirmed first, then those which are opposed to ours must be refuted; if we are replying, we must begin first from refutation.
nascuntur autem ex his, quae contradictioni opposuimus, aliae contradictiones, euntque interim longius; ut gladiatorum manus, quae secundae vocantur, fiunt et tertiae, si prima ad evocandum adversarii ictum prolata erat, et quartae, si geminata captatio est, ut bis cavere, bis repetere oportuerit; quae ratio et ultra ducit.
Moreover, from those things which we have opposed to a contradiction, other contradictions arise, and sometimes they go further; just as the hands of gladiators, which are called second, also become third, if the first had been put forward to draw out the opponent's blow, and fourth, if the trick is doubled, so that it is necessary to parry twice and attack twice; which process leads even further.
§5.13.55sed illam etiam, quam supra ostendi, simplicem ex adfectibus atque ex adfirmatione sola probationem recipit refutatio, qualis est illa Scauri, de qua supra dixi; quin nescio an etiam frequentior, ubi quid negatur.
But refutation also admits that simple proof, which I showed above, derived from feelings and from mere assertion, such as that of Scaurus, of which I spoke above; indeed, I do not know whether it is not even more frequent, where something is denied.
videndum praecipue utrique parti, ubi sit rei summa.
Each party must especially see where the main point of the matter lies.
nam fere accidit, ut in causis multa dicantur, de paucis iudicetur.
For it generally happens that, while many things are said in causes, judgment is passed on few.
§5.13.56in his probandi refutandique ratio est, sed adiuvanda viribus dicentis et ornanda.
In these things lies the method of proving and refuting, but it must be assisted by the powers of the speaker and adorned.
quamlibet enim sint ad dicendum, quod volumus, accommodata. ieiuna tamen erunt et infirma, nisi maiore quodam oratoris spiritu implentur.
For however much they may be adapted to speak what we wish, they will nevertheless be dry and weak unless they are filled by some greater spirit of the orator.
§5.13.57quare et illi communes loci de testibus, de tabulis, de argumentis aliisque similibus magnam vim animis iudicum adferunt, et hi proprii, quibus factum quodque laudamus aut contra, iustum vel iniustum docemus, maius aut minus, asperius aut mitius.
Therefore both those common places about witnesses, about documents, about arguments and other such things bring great force to the minds of the judges, and these specific ones, by which we praise each deed or the contrary, teach that it is just or unjust, greater or smaller, harsher or milder.
ex iis autem alii ad comparationem singulorum argumentorum faciunt, alii ad plurium, alii ad totius causae inclinationem.
Moreover, of these, some make for the comparison of single arguments, others to that of several, others to the inclination of the whole cause.
§5.13.58ex quibus sunt qui praeparent animum iudicis, sunt qui confirment.
Of these, there are some which prepare the mind of the judge, there are some which strengthen it.
sed praeparatio quoque aut confirmatio aliquando totius causae est, aliquando partium, et proinde, ut cuique conveniunt, subiicienda.
But preparation also or confirmation is sometimes of the whole cause, sometimes of parts, and accordingly, as they suit each, they must be subjoined.
§5.13.59ideoque miror inter duos diversarum sectarum velut duces non mediocri contentione quaesitum, singulisne quaestionibus subiiciendi essent loci, ut Theodoro placet, an prius docendus iudex quam movendus, ut praecipit Apollodorus, tanquam perierit haec ratio media, et nihil cum ipsius causae utilitate sit deliberandum.
And therefore I wonder that it was sought with no moderate contention between two leaders, as it were, of different schools, whether commonplaces should be subjoined to single questions, as pleases Theodorus, or whether the judge should be instructed before being moved, as Apollodorus prescribes, as if this middle way had perished, and nothing should be deliberated with regard to the utility of the cause itself.
haec praecipiunt, qui ipsi non dicunt in foro, ut artes a securis otiosisque compositae ipsa pugnae necessitate turbentur.
These things they prescribe, who themselves do not speak in the forum, so that systems composed by the secure and idle are thrown into confusion by the very necessity of the fight.
§5.13.60namque omnes fere, qui legem dicendi quasi quaedam mysteria tradiderunt, certis non inveniendorum modo argumentorum locis, sed concludendorum quoque nos praeceptis alligaverunt; de quibus brevissime praelocutus, quid ipse sentiam, id est quid clarissimos oratores fecisse videam, non tacebo.
For almost all who have delivered the law of speaking as if they were certain mysteries have bound us with certain rules not only of finding arguments, but also of concluding them; having spoken very briefly about which beforehand, what I myself think, that is, what I see that the most famous orators have done, I shall not keep silent.