§6.4.1altercationis praecepta poterant videri tunc inchoanda, cum omnia, quae ad continuam orationem pertinent, peregissem, nam est usus eius ordine ultimus; sed, cum sit posita in sola inventione neque habere dispositionem possit nec elocutionis ornamenta magnopere desideret aut circa memoriam et pronuntiationem laboret, prius quam secundam quinque partium, hanc quae tota ex prima pendet tractaturus non alieno loco videor; quam scriptores alii fortasse ideo reliquerunt, quia satis ceteris praeceptis in hanc quoque videbatur esse prospectum.
The rules of altercation could have seemed appropriate to be commenced at that time when I had finished everything that pertains to a continuous speech, for its use is last in order; but, since it is placed in invention alone, and can have no disposition, nor greatly require the ornaments of style, nor labor about memory and delivery, before I am about to treat the second of the five parts, this which depends entirely on the first, I seem to be in no unsuitable place; which other writers perhaps omitted for this reason, because sufficient provision seemed to have been made for this also by the other rules.
§6.4.2constat enim ex intentione ac depulsione, de quibus satis traditum est; quia, quidquid in actione perpetua circa probationes utile est, idem in hac brevi atque concisa prosit necesse est.
For it consists of assertion and rebuttal, concerning which enough has been handed down; because, whatever is useful in a continuous speech concerning proofs, the same must necessarily be of service in this brief and concise one.
neque alia dicuntur in altercatione, sed aliter, aut interrogando aut respondendo.
Nor are different things said in altercation, but in a different manner, either by questioning or by replying.
cuius rei fere omnis observatio in illo testium loco excussa nobis est.
Almost all observation of this matter has been examined by us in that section on witnesses.
§6.4.3tamen quia latius hoc opus aggressi sumus neque perfectus orator sine hac virtute dici potest, paululum impendamus huic quoque peculiaris operae, quae quidem in quibusdam causis ad victoriam vel plurimum valet.
Yet because we have undertaken this work on a broader scale, and a perfect orator cannot be said to exist without this virtue, let us bestow a little peculiar labor upon this also, which indeed in certain causes is of the greatest value for victory.
§6.4.4nam ut in qualitate generali, in qua rectene factum quid an contra sit quaeritur, perpetua dominatur oratio, et quaestionem finitionis actiones plerumque satis explicant et omnia paene, in quibus de facto constat aut coniectura artificiali ratione colligitur, ita in iis causis, quae sunt frequentissimae, quae vel solis extra artem probationibus vel mixtis continentur, asperrima in hac parte dimicatio est, nec alibi dixeris magis mucrone pugnari.
For just as in a general quality, in which it is asked whether something was done rightly or the contrary, continuous speech dominates, and actions for the most part sufficiently explain the question of definition, and almost all things in which the fact is established or gathered by conjecture through artificial reasoning, so in those causes, which are most frequent, which are contained either by unartistic proofs alone or by mixed ones, the conflict in this part is most sharp, nor would you say that in any other place is there more fighting with the sword's point.
§6.4.5nam et firmissima quaeque memoriae iudicis inculcanda sunt et praestandum quidquid in actione promisimus et refellenda mendacia.
For both the strongest points must be impressed upon the memory of the judge, and whatever we promised in our speech must be performed, and lies must be refuted.
nusquam est denique qui cognoscit intentior.
In short, nowhere is the one who hears more attentive.
nec immerito quidam quanquam in dicendo mediocres hac tamen altercandi praestantia meruerunt nomen patronorum.
Nor is it without merit that some, though moderate in speaking, have nevertheless by this excellence in altercation earned the name of advocates.
§6.4.6at quidam litigatoribus suis illum modo ambitiosum declamandi sudorem praestitisse contenti cum turba laudantium destituunt subsellia pugnamque illam decretoriam imperitis ac saepe pullatae turbae relinquunt.
But some, content to have provided for their litigants only that ambitious sweat of declaiming, leave the benches with a crowd of admirers, and abandon that decisive battle to unskilled and often mean crowds.
§6.4.7itaque videas alios plerumque iudiciis privatis ad actiones advocari alios ad probationem.
And so you may see some for the most part called to private trials for the speeches, and others for the proof.
quae si dividenda sunt officia, hoc certe magis necessarium est, pudendumque dictu, si plus litigantibus prosunt minores.
If these duties are to be divided, this latter is certainly more necessary, and it is shameful to say if the lesser men are of more service to the litigants.
in publicis certe iudiciis vox illa praeconis praeter patronos ipsum, qui egerit, citat.
In public trials, certainly, that voice of the herald summons, besides the advocates, the very person who conducted the case.
§6.4.8opus est igitur inprimis ingenio veloci ac mobili, animo praesenti et acri.
There is need, therefore, first of all of a swift and active talent, and a ready and sharp mind.
non enim cogitandum, sed dicendum statim est et prope sub conatu adversarii manus exigenda.
For we must not deliberate, but speak immediately, and the hand must be dealt almost during the very attempt of the adversary.
quare cum in omni parte huiusce officii plurimum facit, totas non diligenter modo sed etiam familiariter nosse causas, tum in altercatione maxime necessarium est, omnium personarum, instrumentorum, temporum, locorum habere notitiam; alioqui et tacendum erit saepe et aliis subiicientibus (plerumque autem studio loquendi fatue modo) accedendum; quo nonnunquam accidit, ut nostra credulitate aliena stultitia erubescamus.
Wherefore, while in every part of this duty it is of greatest importance to know the causes thoroughly, not only diligently but even familiarly, so in altercation it is most necessary to have knowledge of all persons, instruments, times, and places; otherwise, we shall often have to remain silent, and to agree with others suggesting (for the most part indeed foolishly, out of a mere desire to speak); whence it sometimes happens that by our credulity we blush at another's folly.
§6.4.9neque tantum cum his ipsis monitoribus clam res erit; quidam faciunt aperte ut quoque rixentur.
Nor will the matter be kept secret only with these very monitors; some act openly so as to wrangle as well.
Videas enim plerosque ira percitos exclamantes, ut iudex audiat contrarium id esse, quod admoneatur, sciatque ille, qui pronuntiaturus est in causa, §6.4.10malum quod tacetur.
For you may see many, driven by anger, crying out so that the judge may hear that what is being suggested is the contrary, and that he who is about to pronounce judgment in the case may know the evil that is kept secret.
quare bonus altercator vitio iracundiae careat; nullus enim rationi magis obstat adfectus et fert extra causam plerumque et deformia convicia facere ac mereri cogit et in ipsos nonnunquam iudices incitat.
Wherefore, a good altercator should be free from the vice of anger; for no emotion more obstructs reason, and it carries one for the most part out of the cause, and forces one to utter and deserve ugly insults, and sometimes incites one against the judges themselves.
melior moderatio ac nonnunquam etiam patientia.
Moderation is better, and sometimes even patience.
neque enim refutanda tantum quae ex contrario dicuntur, sed contemnenda, elevanda, ridenda sunt; nec usquam plus loci recipit urbanitas.
For what is said by the adversary is not only to be refuted, but to be despised, undervalued, and laughed at; nor does urbanity receive more room anywhere.
hoc, dum ordo est et pudor; contra turbantes audendum et impudentiae fortiter resistendum.
This, while there is order and decency; against those who disturb, we must be bold, and strongly resist impudence.