Its Constitution--the glittering and sounding generalities of
natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence.

Its Constitution--the glittering and sounding generalities of
natural right which make up the Declaration of Independence.

He mouths a sentence as curs mouth a bone.

He mouths a sentence as curs mouth a bone.

Yet through delivery orators succeed,
I feel that I am far behind indeed.
[Ger., Allein der Vortrag read more

Yet through delivery orators succeed,
I feel that I am far behind indeed.
[Ger., Allein der Vortrag macht des Redners Gluck,
Ich fuhl es wohl noch bin ich weit zuruck.]

With little art, clear wit and sense
Suggest their own delivery.
[Ger., Es tragt Verstand und rechter read more

With little art, clear wit and sense
Suggest their own delivery.
[Ger., Es tragt Verstand und rechter Sinn,
Mit wenig Kunst sich selber vor.]

The passions are the only orators that always persuade: they
are, as it were, a natural art, the rules read more

The passions are the only orators that always persuade: they
are, as it were, a natural art, the rules of which are
infallible; and the simplest man with passion is more persuasive
than the most eloquent without it.

When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he
answered, "Action," and which was the second, read more

When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he
answered, "Action," and which was the second, he replied,
"action," and which was the third, he still answered "Action."

Solon wished everybody to be ready to take everybody else's part;
but surely Chilo was wiser in holding that read more

Solon wished everybody to be ready to take everybody else's part;
but surely Chilo was wiser in holding that public affairs go best
when the laws have much attention and the orators none.

Fire in each eye, and papers in each hand,
They rave, recite, and madden round the land.

Fire in each eye, and papers in each hand,
They rave, recite, and madden round the land.

Besides, as is usually the case, we are much more affected by the
words which we hear, for though read more

Besides, as is usually the case, we are much more affected by the
words which we hear, for though what you read in books may be
more pointed, yet there is something in the voice, the look, the
carriage, and even the gesture of the speaker, that makes a
deeper impression upon the mind.
[Lat., Praeterea multo magis, ut vulgo dicitur viva vox afficit:
nam licet acriora sint, quae legas, ultius tamen in ammo sedent,
quae pronuntiatio, vultus, habitus, gestus dicentis adfigit.]