§7.10.10quaedam vero non docentium sunt, sed discentium.
But some things belong not to those who teach, but to those who learn.
nam medicus, quid in quoque valetudinis genere faciendum sit, quid quibusque signis providendum, docebit; vim sentiendi pulsus venarum, coloris modos, spiritus meatum, caloris distantiam, quae sui cuiusque sunt ingenii, non dabit.
For a physician will teach what must be done in each kind of disease, what must be provided against in each set of symptoms; but the power of feeling the pulse, the variations of color, the passage of breath, the differences of heat, which belong to each one's own natural talent, he will not give.
quare plurima petamus a nobis et cum causis deliberemus cogite musque homines ante invenisse artem quam docuisse. illa enim potentissima est,
Therefore, let us seek most things from ourselves, and let us deliberate with our cases and think that men discovered art before they taught it.
§7.10.11quaeque vere dicitur oeconomica totius causae dispositio, quae nullo modo constitui nisi velut in re praesente potest: ubi adsumendum prooemium, ubi omittendum, ubi utendum expositione continua, ubi partita, ubi ab initiis incipiendum, ubi more Homerico e mediis vel ultimis, ubi omnino non exponendum, §7.10.12quando a nostris, quando ab adversariorum propositionibus incipiamus, quando a firmissimis probationibus, quando a levioribus; qua in causa praeponendae prooemiis quaestiones, qua praeparatione praemuniendae, quid iudicis animus accipere possit statim dictum, quo paulatim deducendus, singulis an universis opponenda refutatio, reservandi perorationi an per totam actionem diffundendi adfectus, de iure prius an de aequitate dicendum; anteacta crimina an de quibus iudicium est prius obiicere vel diluere conveniat; §7.10.13si multiplices causae erunt, quis ordo faciendus, quae testimonia tabulaeve cuiusque generis in actione recitandae, quae reservandae.
For that is most powerful, and which is truly called the practical arrangement (oeconomica) of the whole cause, which can in no way be determined except, as it were, in the presence of the actual case: where an introduction is to be adopted, where omitted, where a continuous exposition is to be used, where a divided one, where one should begin from the very commencement, where in the Homeric manner from the middle or the end, where there should be no exposition at all, when we should begin from our own propositions, when from those of our adversaries, when from the strongest proofs, when from the weaker; in what case questions are to be placed before the introductions, with what preparation they are to be fortified, what the judge's mind can receive immediately when spoken, where he is to be led by degrees, whether the refutation should be opposed to single points or to the whole collectively, whether feelings should be reserved for the peroration or diffused through the whole speech, whether we should speak of law first or of equity; whether it is proper to object to or dilute past crimes first, or those concerning which the judgment is held; if the causes are manifold, what order is to be made, what testimonies or documents of each kind are to be read in the speech, what reserved.
haec est velut imperatoria virtus copias suas partientis ad casus proeliorum, retinentis partes per castella tuenda custodiendasve urbes, petendos commeatus, obsidenda itinera, mari denique ac terra dividentis.
This is, as it were, the general's virtue of dividing his forces for the chances of battles, retaining portions for defending forts or guarding cities, seeking provisions, blocking roads, and finally dividing them by land and sea.
sed haec in oratione praestabit, §7.10.14cui omnia adfuerint, natura, doctrina, studium.
But he will perform these things in a speech, to whom all things have been present: nature, instruction, and study.
quare nemo exspectet, ut alieno tantum labore sit disertus.
Therefore, let no one expect that he can be eloquent solely by another's labor.
vigilandum, durandum, enitendum, pallendum est, facienda sua cuique vis, suus usus, sua ratio, non respiciendum ad haec, sed in promptu habenda, nec tanquam tradita sed tanquam innata.
One must watch, endure, strive, and grow pale; each must make his own power, his own practice, his own method; one must not look back at these rules, but have them ready at hand, not as if handed down, but as if innate.
§7.10.15nam via demonstrari potest, velocitas sua cuique est; verum ars satis praestat, si copias eloquentiae ponit in medio; nostrum est uti eis scire.
For the way can be pointed out, but speed belongs to each one's own; indeed, art does enough if it places the resources of eloquence in the open; it is ours to know how to use them.
§7.10.16neque enim partium est demum dispositio, sed in his ipsis primus aliquis sensus et secundus et tertius; qui non modo ut sint ordine collocati, laborandum est, sed ut inter se vincti atque ita cohaerentes, ne commissura perluceat; corpus sit, non membra.
For arrangement is not merely of the parts, but in these very parts there is some first, second, and third thought; we must labor not only that they be placed in order, but that they be linked together and so coherent that no seam may be visible; let there be a body, not limbs.
§7.10.17quod ita continget, si et quid cuique conveniat viderimus et verba verbis applicarimus non pugnantia, sed quae invicem complectantur.
Which will happen if we see what is fitting for each, and apply words to words that are not conflicting, but embrace each other.
ita res non diversae distantibus ex locis quasi invicem ignotae collidentur, sed aliqua societate cum prioribus ac sequentibus copulatae tenebuntur, ac videbitur non solum composita oratio, sed etiam continua.
Thus, different things from distant places will not collide as if mutually unknown, but will be held bound by some fellowship with what precedes and follows, and the speech will seem not only composed, but also continuous.
verum longius fortasse progredior fallente transitu et a dispositione ad elocutionis praecepta labor, quae proximus liber inchoabit.
But perhaps I am proceeding too far, misled by the transition, and am sliding from arrangement to the rules of style, which the next book will begin.