It is often said that extemporaneous speaking is the distinction of modern eloquence. But the whole language of Cicero’s rhetorical works, as well as particular terms in common use, and anecdotes recorded of different speakers, prove the contrary; not to mention Quinctilian’s express instructions on the subject. Hume, also, tells us from Suidas, that the writing of speeches was unknown until the time of Pericles. Return
Nemo potest de e re, quam non novit, non turpissime dicere. Cic. de Or. Return
